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Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Grants
Empowering inclusion and innovation
Welcome to the McKelvey School of Engineering Diversity Grants Initiative
At the McKelvey School of Engineering, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment where every member of our community feels valued and inspired. The Diversity Grants Initiative is a testament to this commitment, offering financial support (up to $25,000) to innovative projects and activities that advance equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within our community.Our goal
To support and encourage initiatives that:
- Promote inclusion: Creating a more inclusive culture within McKelvey where diversity is celebrated.
- Foster equity: Ensuring equal opportunities for learning, participation and growth.
- Leverage status: Using available resources, ongoing activities and accumulated status to make an impact.
- Encourage innovation: Researching and implementing creative and impactful approaches to EDI challenges.
McKelvey EDI Mission
To advance McKelvey’s ability to pursue its mission by creating and sustaining an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment that respects and accommodates all while fostering accountability, engagement and leadership commitment.
Grant details
Total Budget: Up to $25,000 over 1 to 3 years.
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students, registered student organizations, faculty and staff of McKelvey School of Engineering.
Two distinct tracks for funding:
1. Community engagement and outreach
- Grants up to $1,500.
- Focus: Local engagement, K-12 outreach and community-based projects.
2. Extensive EDI projects
- Grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.
- Focus: Larger scale initiatives with potential for lasting impact.
- Review eligibility and guidelines – ensure your project aligns with our EDI objectives.
- Prepare your letter of intent.
- Submit letter of intent online.
- Attend training and revision sessions.
- Prepare your full proposal.
- Submit proposal.
Deadline for Submission: October 1, 2024
- Proposal templates: To guide you in preparing a compelling application.
- FAQs: Answers to common questions about the application process.
- Contact support: Our EDI specialists are here to assist you.
Guidelines and eligibility
Welcome to the two-stage application process for the Diversity Grants Initiative!
At the McKelvey School of Engineering, we understand that writing proposals can be challenging, especially for those new to the process. To support our community, we've introduced a two-stage application process for the Diversity Grants Initiative. This approach starts with a simple letter of intent, followed by a more detailed proposal for those selected to move forward.
Community engagement and outreach grants only require letter of intent. There is no second stage of the application process.
Stage 1: Letter of intent
Getting started:
- Briefly outline your project idea.
- Highlight the objective, potential impact, estimated budget and any collaborations.
- No detailed proposal required at this stage.
Support and guidance:
- Applicants who submit a letter of intent will join a cohort to refine their ideas.
- Receive training and support on best practices for proposal preparation.
- We encourage every interested member of our community to participate, regardless of prior experience with grant applications.
- Eligibility: Open to all students, faculty and staff within the McKelvey School of Engineering.
- Content: Briefly describe the project's objective, impact, budget and potential collaborations.
- Submission: Submit via the online form.
Stage 2: Full proposal submission
For selected applicants:
- Based on your letter of intent, you may be invited to submit a full proposal.
- Here, we look for more detailed information, including novelty, feasibility, impact, implementation plan, budget justification and assessment of success.
Further support:
- Continued guidance and resources will be available to help you develop a comprehensive and compelling proposal.
- Eligibility: Applicants selected from the letter of intent stage.
- Detailed proposal: In-depth information on novelty, feasibility, implementation, budget and success assessment.
- Submission: Detailed guidelines and template will be provided for selected applicants.
McKelvey EDI goals and guiding principles
- Committing to a culture and climate in which all students, faculty and staff feel welcome and respected is critical for institutional excellence and distinction.
- Increasing recruitment, retention and success of underrepresented students, staff and faculty is a cornerstone of addressing the lack of diversity within the academic and professional communities.
- Transforming of not only individual values, beliefs and behaviors but also institutional policies, procedures and practices are required to improve diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Developing common instructional practices and engaging in educational opportunities to create awareness, appreciation, acceptance and celebration of different cultures, beliefs and ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Who decides which grant applications receive funding?
Letters of intent are reviewed by the McKelvey EDI committee comprised of faculty and staff from the McKelvey School of Engineering. This committee evaluates each application based on established criteria including alignment with EDI goals, innovation, feasibility and potential impact.
Do I need to apply as a team?
You can apply as an individual or as part of a team. Collaborative projects, especially those that bring together diverse perspectives, are encouraged.
What type of projects are being encouraged?
We are looking for projects that enhance equity, diversity and inclusion within the McKelvey community or in a broader context. Projects should be innovative, feasible and have a clear impact on promoting diversity and inclusion.
What costs are covered by the grant funds?
The grant funds can cover a variety of costs, including but not limited to materials and supplies, event costs, software or equipment necessary for the project and travel expenses related to the project. All expenses should be justified in the budget section of your proposal.
What happens if there are unspent grant funds by the end of the grant period?
Any unspent funds must be returned to the grant program. It's important to plan your budget carefully and realistically to ensure all funds are utilized appropriately within the grant period.
What will I need to do while my project is underway?
While your project is underway, you'll need to manage it according to the outlined plan and budget. Regular updates and a final report detailing the outcomes and learnings from the project will be required.
Who can I contact if I have further questions?
For any additional questions or clarifications, you can contact our Ariana Jasarevic, EDI specialist in McKelvey Engineering at jaserevic_a@wustl.edu.
Who is eligible to apply for the diversity grants?
The grants are open to all undergraduate and graduate students, registered student organizations, faculty and staff within the McKelvey School of Engineering.
What is the two-stage application process?
The application process consists of two stages. First, applicants submit a letter of intent briefly outlining their project idea. Selected applicants from this stage are then invited to submit a full proposal with detailed information on their project. The two-stage process is only required for extensive EDI projects.
What should be included in the letter of intent?
The letter of intent should include a brief description of your project's objective, its potential impact, an estimated budget and any potential collaborations.
How detailed does the full proposal need to be?
The full proposal requires more detailed information, including the project's novelty, feasibility, detailed implementation plan, budget justification and methods for assessing success.
Is there support available for writing the full proposal?
Yes, applicants who submit a letter of intent will be part of a cohort that receives training and support on best practices for proposal preparation. This support continues for those selected to submit a full proposal.
What is the total budget for the diversity grants?
The total annual budget for the diversity grants is $25,000. The grant amounts for individual projects will vary based on the proposal. The grant period can be from one to three years.
Can I apply if I have never written a grant proposal before?
Absolutely. The two-stage application process and the support provided are designed to make the diversity grants accessible to everyone, regardless of prior experience with grant writing.
What are the evaluation criteria for the proposals?
Proposals will be evaluated based on their alignment with EDI goals, innovation and creativity, feasibility and sustainability, potential impact and clarity and thoroughness of the proposal.
What happens if my letter of intent is not selected?
We encourage all applicants to consider feedback provided and reapply in future cycles. Not being selected in one cycle does not preclude you from applying in the future.
How long does the grant funding last?
The duration of the grant funding will depend on the proposed project and can be up to three years. Applicants should include a timeline in their full proposal detailing how long the project will take.
Can I collaborate with individuals outside the McKelvey School of Engineering?
Yes, collaborations are encouraged, including with individuals outside the McKelvey School of Engineering. However, the lead applicant must be from within the school.
When are the application deadlines?
Submission deadline is October 1, 2024.
What are McKelvey EDI goals or guiding principles?
- Committing to a culture and climate in which all students, faculty and staff feel welcome and respected is critical for institutional excellence and distinction.
- Increasing recruitment, retention and success of underrepresented students, staff and faculty is a cornerstone of addressing the lack of diversity within the academic and professional communities.
- Transforming of not only individual values, beliefs and behaviors but also institutional policies, procedures and practices are required to improve diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Developing common instructional practices and engaging in educational opportunities to create awareness, appreciation, acceptance and celebration of different cultures, beliefs and ideas.