DEI Mini and Collaborative Grants are not available in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
If funding is available for next fiscal year, applications will be solicited in the summer of 2024. The information on this page describes the awards, the application process, and the expectations for past and future years.
Background
The Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD)’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee enthusiastically invites applications for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Educational Development Mini-Grant and Collaborative Grant Application, formerly known as the Educational Development Internship Program and DEI mini-grants.
One of the cross-cutting priorities of the POD Network’s strategic plan is to advance inclusion, diversity, belonging, equity, and accessibility across the organization and throughout the field of educational development. As stated on the POD website, “[t]his priority reflects member priorities, a strong focus at many post-secondary institutions, and the recognition that progress toward equity requires great intentionality in order to reverse marginalization of historically underserved and underrepresented populations at all levels.”
This program serves two purposes: (1) to provide seed funding for educational developers who are from underrepresented groups or who work at traditionally underrepresented institutions to conduct research projects, resource development, or programming that focuses on advancing equity and inclusion, and dismantling racism in its many forms, especially as it relates to the teaching and learning environment; and (2) to support cross-institutional capacity, mentorship and community-building among educational developers in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The DEI Committee provides grants in two areas:
1. Mini-Grants
To encourage DEI work in areas of educational development, the DEI Committee will award amounts ranging from $500 to $2,000 to individuals or groups from a single institution. The mini-grants serve as a springboard for a diverse array of ideas and approaches and to provide seed money for books, materials, supplies, stipends, or fees that are needed to broaden education and spark innovation within the POD Network. While the mini-grant awards are for educational developers, they may be used to support related staff and student research that contributes to equity and inclusion efforts across the POD Network and the field of educational development.
2. Collaborative Grants
DEI work sometimes requires many individuals working creatively and collectively, and the Collaborative Grants support and expand the capacity of educational developers to share experiences, deliver mentorship and collaborate collectively beyond their own institutions. The DEI Committee will award amounts ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 for a cross-institutional project that involves up to three institutions. Of these funds, a maximum of $1,000 of each grant can be used for cross-institutional travel, unless additional travel is otherwise central to achieving the objectives of the project.
Competitive projects will demonstrate a commitment to shared knowledge rooted in practices developed at these underrepresented institutions.
Eligibility Criteria
The POD DEI Committee welcomes applications for the Mini-Grants and the Collaborative Grants from all individuals from any institution. For each application, all applicants must meet one or more criteria listed here:
- persons from historically underrepresented groups including, but not limited to: individuals who identify as racial and/or ethnic minorities (as defined within the U.S. context); lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender individuals; and individuals with disabilities.
- individuals working at traditionally underrepresented institutions including, but not limited to, the following: Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Native American Tribal Colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions or Hispanic Area Colleges and Institutions, Minority-Serving Institutions (or those aspiring to become MSI’s, and community colleges).
- applicants who would join POD and contribute to its mission over the long term with particular interests related to social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion (writ large) in educational development.
Please note: Applicants are only allowed to submit one mini-grant application per funding cycle. Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received a mini-grant in the prior years.