We’re seeking proposals for initiatives that advance diversity, access and inclusion across the campuses.
 
 
October 8, 2019
 
To the Faculty and Staff of the University of Nebraska:
 
As the state’s only public university, we work every day to transform the lives of Nebraskans and others through teaching, research and outreach. That mission is best achieved through inclusive excellence – the creation of a campus environment that embraces diverse backgrounds and perspectives so that all have an opportunity to succeed.
 
Inclusive excellence requires us to be proactive and collaborative in building a university community that is welcoming and accessible for all. And we must be intentional about investing in this work and celebrating our successes. In that vein, the University of Nebraska’s Office of Diversity, Access and Inclusion is pleased to open the Fall 2019 call for proposals for Inclusive Excellence Development Grants.
 
 

These grants provide system-level support for implementing or strengthening sustainable initiatives that advance diversity, access and inclusion and lead to equitable outcomes in one or more of the following priority areas:

  • Campus climate
  • Student recruitment and retention
  • Faculty and staff recruitment and retention
Four grants worth up to $3,000 each are offered during two funding cycles per calendar year as funds are available.
 
Eligible proposals must include collaboration across groups, offices, departments or divisions and may involve external University partners. Only activities that are free and open to the University community will be funded. Funding cannot be used for off-campus travel or to support salaries.

For example, successful grant proposals funded in spring 2019 included:

  • The "Check Your Mental Health" event at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), which increases understanding of mental health resources, awareness of stereotypes related to mental illness, and actions to improve well-being.
  • The "Racial Literacy Roundtables" program at UNL's College of Education and Human Sciences, which launched monthly facilitated conversations around the topics of race.
  • The "Immersive Performance-driven Virtual Reality-based Diversity and Inclusion Training Program" project at UNL.
  • UNO's First-Gen Mavs Faculty/Staff Symposium, which brings faculty and staff together to support first-generation students by sharing best practices, raising awareness on existing programs and working to increase retention efforts.
Detailed information on the Fall 2019 call for proposals is on our website. Please note that these development grants differ from our newly created President’s Inclusive Excellence Collaboration Award in that the latter will reward initiatives with a proven record of success, while development grants can "scale up" existing initiatives or support proposals that grow over time.
 
Development grant proposals are due by November 22, with grant awards announced December 20. I hope you’ll take a few moments to review the materials and consider submitting a proposal. Your innovation and creativity is key to driving the University of Nebraska toward inclusive excellence.
 
Thank you for your engagement and for all you do for the University of Nebraska.
 
Sincerely,
 
Stancia Whitcomb Jenkins
Associate to the President
Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Access and Inclusion
 
For more information — or if you have questions — contact Vanessa Zimmer
in the Provost's Office at: vzimmer@nebraska.edu or 402.472.5246