Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) project fund

• Remit and scope

  The funding can be used for activities that fulfil one or both of these criteria:

  i) increase our understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion issues within higher education settings and how these issues might be addressed

  ii) have the potential to enhance the environment in our own institution for individuals who are under-represented, minoritised or historically disadvantaged in higher education settings.

  All applications which fall within the remit and scope of the Fund will be considered, however, during the current cycle, we particularly encourage applications which focus on:

  • supporting inclusive behaviours  
  • building belonging and community
  • activities or events linked to specific Diversity Calendar themes, particularly where these bring together both staff and students

  Within the EDI Project Fund, there are also two specific funding streams related to our Race Equality Charter Action Plan:

  • intercultural training related to race/racism
  • anti-racist curriculum reform

  If your project relates to any of the priority areas listed above, please ensure you indicate this on your application.

  Applicants must ensure they clearly state how their project meets the remit of the fund.

  Example activities include:

  • workshops, networking events or outreach activities, particularly those that align with the University’s Diversity Calendar
  • pilot training sessions that relate to EDI, where such sessions have not been previously undertaken and where such training has potential scope for roll-out across other Schools and professional services units
  • activities that enhance the delivery of inclusive teaching and learning, or that, more broadly, enhance a sense of belonging among students and staff from under-represented, minoritised or historically disadvantaged groups
  • research projects, particularly those related to the experiences of disadvantaged, under-represented or minoritised groups within higher education
    
    

• Funding guidelines

  • Where relevant, applications should clearly state which other funding sources have been applied to or secured, and how the EDI Project Fund award would add to, improve or enhance the project where there are multiple sources of funding
  • Applications that are led by members of staff are expected to have 50:50 matched funding (for example, if you are applying for £1000 from this scheme, you are expected to have £1000 of confirmed funding from a School or professional services unit)
  • Applications that are led by students will not normally be expected to have matched funding, although should take into account any existing funds provided by, or available through, the Students' Association. In addition, any teaching-related or research-related projects with student leads would normally be expected to show evidence of support by having matched funding from the School
  • This scheme does not cover individual student or staff hardship. Please discuss student hardship fund queries with the relevant School Wellbeing Officer or Director
  • The scheme will not normally fund international travel, research outside of St Andrews, renumeration for applicant’s time, or vouchers and incentives for participating in research projects.
  • The EDI Project Fund panel recognises that the payment of a speaker fee may be appropriate in some circumstances. Please note that a maximum of £150 will be awarded per speaker, subject to the application making an effective case for this.

• Who can apply?

  Applicants must be a member of staff or a student at the University of St Andrews. Collaborative applications that involve both staff and students, or that involve collaborations between Schools and professional services units, are particularly encouraged.

  Applications that are led by students need to specify how any relevant Students’ Association subcommittees or societies have been notified of or involved in the design of the project. In addition, student applicants may consider discussing their plans with any relevant members of University staff ahead of submitting an application.

  We would also encourage students to talk to the Director of EDI in their School who may be able to provide advice and guidance.

  Any research or teaching related applications with student leads should also include a relevant member of staff as a co-applicant (for example, this may be the relevant research supervisor, School Director of EDI, Director of Teaching or Director of Research) and a letter of support from the member of staff should be emailed to ediprojectfund@st-andrews.ac.uk.

• How to apply

  • Large project applications are submitted in response to two calls per year, with deadlines usually in March and in October, and decisions will normally be communicated within six to eight weeks
  • Small project applications can be submitted at any time, and decisions will normally be communicated in four to six weeks
  • In some cases where information may not be clear from the initial application, the panel may ask follow-up questions to determine the suitability of the project. This may add additional time to the decision-making process
  • Retrospective applications for events or activities that have already taken place will not be accepted

  Please ensure your application is written for a non-specialised audience, and you complete all sections of the application fully.

  Applications to the EDI Project Fund must be submitted using the online application form. An EDI application form template 2025 (Word) is provided to help with preparing an application – please do not submit this.

  When considering budget costings, applicants should ensure they refer to University policies and guidance, including the expenses policy, RBS information on conferences and catering, and pay scale information.

  There are a number of rooms across the University which are free to use for staff and students. If there is a financial request to cover the cost of a venue, applicants must be clear on why this specific space is required or why an additional cost has been incurred (for example, out of hours janitorial costs).

• Panel membership

  Large project applications will be assessed by a panel that normally includes:

  • Vice-Principal (People and Diversity)
  • Head of EDI
  • at least one EDI Faculty Lead

  Small project applications will be assessed, at minimum, by the Head of EDI and the People and Diversity Executive Officer.

• Criteria for award

  This funding scheme is competitive and the University may restrict the number of awards made, irrespective of available funds, based on the quality of the submitted applications.

  Applications will be judged against the following general criteria:

  • how the project fits with the remit of the fund and specific priority streams and areas
  • anticipated impact of the activity or output (for example, in terms of policy or practice implications for the University or higher education sector)
  • value for money and strength of case for support
  • collaborative or interdisciplinary links
  • overall quality of the application.

  Written feedback will not normally be given on unsuccessful applications. However, where unsuccessful applications show strong potential for redevelopment and resubmission, a member of the EDI Project Fund Team will be available for further discussions.

• Successful applications

  The EDI Project Fund should be acknowledged as a supporter at any activities or events or in any outputs. The University maintains the right to describe completed projects when reporting on EDI-related activities (for example, internal and external reports or charter mark applications).

  Successful applicants will be expected to submit a short report within three months of completion of the project briefly describing the completed activities and outcomes. Reports should be submitted via the online report form. A EDI report form template 2025 (Word) is provided to help with preparing a report – please do not submit a Word version. The report will also ask successful applicants to give a final summary on how the project fund money was spent, so applicants should ensure they keep accurate records.

  Successful applicants may be asked to contribute to information or marketing materials to highlight activities funded by the EDI Project Fund. This may include, for example, writing a short blog post on your activity, publishing the outputs of research on our web pages, taking part in Instagram takeovers or campaigns, taking part in EDI exhibitions highlighting the outputs of funded activities and contributing to EDI implementation reports and conferences.