Students, faculty, and staff at U of G are invited to apply to the Office of Diversity and Human Rights’ Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Enhancement Fund.

This $200,000 fund is available to support new and exciting initiatives at U of G that enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and promote a culture of belonging on our campuses.

“This is an incredible opportunity for folks at the university to get support for their thoughtful, innovative ideas about how we can build a transformative culture of fairness and equity at the University of Guelph. U of G is committed to building respectful and inclusive environments where diversity is celebrated,” says Indira Naidoo-Harris, AVP, diversity and human rights. “This fund helps support those across our University doing the hard work to promote and embed EDI principles into our classrooms, boardrooms, and gathering spaces.”

The fund has been available for the past three years and supports projects, events, awards, lecture series, and other initiatives that increase awareness of the importance of indigenization, equity, diversity and inclusion.

“We’ve supported dozens of amazing initiatives over the years. Those innovative projects have brought EDI to the forefront and made U of G a welcoming, respectful place where everyone has a sense of belonging, ” Naidoo-Harris says. “We’ve been able to support exciting Black History Month events, Indigenous art installations, speaker series, photography exhibits and so much more.”

2022-2023 was a record year for fund applications

The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Enhancement Fund received a record number of applications during the 2022-2023 academic year with more than 50 proposals.

“It’s clear our community is strongly committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion,” says Naidoo-Harris. “Our successful applicants delivered amazing and inspiring projects that enhanced EDI on our campuses and created respectful, kind and thoughtful campuses.”

The successful projects for the 2022-2023 academic year included:

  • Charity & Islamic Awareness Week – Ahmad Hassan, Muslim Students Association
  • EDI Podcast – Manda Wintink
  • CORE Mentorship – Alexis Charles, Cultural Diversity Office
  • Black History Month – Mobolaji Akinyanbola, Guelph Black Students Association
  • Breaking Barriers, Creating Connections – Emily Van Kessel, Langs Student Association
  • Justice Workshop Series – Andrew Hyde, Ecumenical Campus Ministry
  • Mega Shabbat – Rabbi Raphi Steiner, Chabad of Guelph
  • LOVE Means – Lauren Abela
  • Intersectional Environmentalism Workshop Series – Samantha Casey, U of G Sustainability Office
  • Braiding Indigenous Knowledge Into the Arboretum – Justine Richardson, Arboretum
  • Black History Month Local Chef Pop-Up – Samantha Casey, Hospitality Services
  • Indigenous Education Training – Kathryn Hofer, Student Experience
  • U of G Black Faculty and Staff Networking Group – Oliver Martin
  • Collaborative Indigenous Art Workshop & Installation – Jessica Magee, U of G Child Care and Learning Centre
  • Intersecting Mental Health: A Three-Part Speaker Series – Isidora Nezic, Wellness@Work
  • OAC Land Acknowledgement Resource – Stephanie Craig, OAC Dean’s Office
  • Ramadan – Ahmad Hassan, Muslim Students Association
  • Orientation Week Events – Celine Osborne, Caribbean Cultural Club
Apply for funding by June 5

Interested members of the University community are encouraged to apply for funding online through the DHR website. Proposals are due June 5, 2023. A second call for proposals will take place later this year.

Funding of up to $12,000 per proposal is available.

More information and application details are available on the Office of Diversity and Human Rights website or by contacting dhrinfo@uoguelph.ca.