Equity Enhancement Fund

• Proposals should have observable and/or measurable benefits to the representation or experiences of historically, persistently or systematically marginalized groups within the UBC community.
• Proposals should support efforts to build the capacity of partners to adopt and advance values of equity & inclusion in their own settings;
• Project rationale and objectives should advance UBC’s approach to inclusive excellence and be consistent with the UBC Equity & Inclusion Office mandate and UBC’s strategic priorities, including innovation, inclusion and connection.
• All Equity Enhancement Fund initiatives must be in accordance with UBC’s Respectful Environment Statement.
• Initiatives must advance one or more of the actions outlined under the goals of the Inclusion Action Plan.

• Proposals up to $15,000 will be considered. Small and large proposals are encouraged, however, large proposals may receive only partial funding.
• Funding dispersed: 75% upon announcement and 25% on completion of final report.
• There are separate funds for the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
• Partnerships between faculties/units/departments/groups are encouraged.
• Applications should demonstrate some financial contributions/support (not just in-kind) from Faculties, Units and clubs.
• Funding will not be granted for projects that are a normal part of the unit’s responsibilities and operating expenses, or, except in exceptional circumstances, to reinstitute a previously funded project in a unit.
• Successful recipients are required to submit a report, including financial accounting, to the Associate Vice President, Equity & Inclusion upon completion of the project. The Equity & Inclusion Office will provide a template for this purpose.
• Funds must be spent within one year of receiving funding. Any unused funds must be reported and returned.
• The fund recipients are responsible for planning and implementation related to the project, and covering any cost overruns.

• The proposal must be endorsed by a Head of unit or department, director, principal, vice-president, president or other similarly equivalent senior official of an organization.
• In certain cases, especially for student groups, the Equity & Inclusion Office will make arrangements to ensure that groups who do not have access to UBC’s financial system will be able to access the funding.
• NOTE: The person making the endorsement assumes responsibility for monitoring the project and ensuring a final report is submitted.

Initial applications will be submitted through the online form. They will then be reviewed by a small committee of students, staff and faculty. At the initial stage applicants will need to consider the following in the development of a project overview:

• Project title and detailed description of the project, indicating whether this is something new or existing
• One or more of the Inclusion Action Plan:
  • Recruitment, Retention and Success: UBC will actively recruit, support, retain, and advance students, faculty, staff, and leaders from systemically marginalized communities.
  • Systems Change: UBC will be intentional and proactive in changing systems, structures, policies, practices, and processes to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Capacity Building: UBC will enhance institutional and individual capacities and skills to succeed in and advance inclusive environments and work to sustain and continually evolve that capacity as skills and capabilities are increased.
  • Learning, Research, and Engagement: UBC will foster environments of learning, research, and engagement that value building and exchanging multiple and intersectional ways of knowing.
  • Accountability: UBC will hold itself accountable to its commitment to inclusion through clear and timely processes, thorough evaluation, and transparent reporting to the UBC communities on its progress on this action plan.
• A Project timeline, that outlines the key tasks, events, and/or deliverables (with a timeline or schedule - if applicable) that will guide the planning and implementation stages of the project.
• Method(s) of evaluation, that will be used to the progress and success of the project during the funding year.
• A Sustainability Plan, to ensure that the project or initiative will be or can be made self-sustaining beyond the funding period.

Once successful applicants have been identified, they will be required to submit an evaluation plan outlining their approach to measuring the impact of their initiative. The applicants will be provided with a template to assist in the development of the plan.

The applicants will be required to submit the plan for review prior to the disbursement of the funds and will be required to submit a summary of  the findings of the evaluation as part of their final report.