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Equality, Diversity & Inclusion activity grants

Equality and Diversity - Mascha Tace

The British Society for Immunology believes that bringing together people from different backgrounds, with unique experiences and perspectives will support innovation and research through a diversity of ideas and help to solve challenges faced by our world.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) activity grants are competitive grants designed to help organisations and individuals fund activities and events that promote diversity and inclusion across the immunology community and the wider biomedical sciences. These ambitious and inspiring activities should aim to accelerate culture change and promote visibility with respect to equality, diversity and inclusion. Over the course of the grants, these activities will promote a more diverse, fair and inclusive immunology community. 

How to apply

  • Applicants must complete an application form describing the activity including information on the timeframe and budget. You can download an application form from the bottom of this page. 
  • Email the completed form to careers@immunology.org
  • Applications for the next round will close on Wednesday 8 May 2024 at 23:59GMT. We are currently accepting applications.

Case studies

We have put together short case studies from previous awardees – click here to discover some of the exciting activities and projects that we have supported through this grant.

Value

Each grant is worth up to a maximum of £500.

Eligibility Requirements

  • At least one named applicant on the grant must have been a member of the BSI for at least one year.
  • Members can apply for one EDI activity grant per year.
  • Applicant must be affiliated with the organisation/university/research institute that is hosting the proposed event.
  • Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, support for events or speakers that raise awareness and deepen understanding of the multiple dimensions of EDI. Funds may be used to purchase software, promotional materials, supplies and more or can be used for community outreach such as schools.
  • Applications must be relevant in having an impact on the immunology community. While it is not necessary that the activity be on an immunology topic, it should highlight the importance of EDI to immunology, e.g. an outside speaker educating members of an immunology department.
  • Incomplete applications will be rejected.
  • Late applications will not be considered. 

Judging criteria

  • Applicants should demonstrate an understanding of issues and challenges around diversity in science.
  • Potential of the project to stimulate interest or debate about EDI in the immunology community.
  • Relevance and suitability of activity for the proposed target audience.
  • The event or project should be something novel, i.e. something the university or institute isn’t currently doing. 
  • The feasibility of the project given the proposed timeline and budget.
  • The added benefit  that this activity will bring to your institute’s current EDI portfolio. 

Tips for success

  • Consider holding an event on dates of global or national significance such as International Women and Girls Day in Science (11 February), Black History Month (UK) in October or LGBTQIA+ STEM Day (18 November). Holding an event on these or similar dates allows you to attract the attention of a larger community. 
  • Carefully craft your budget and consider what it might look like to involve other sponsors.

Impact

To ensure impact beyond the immediate institutes involved, it might also be useful to consider the following when designing the activity: 

  • Collaborate: beyond their local department and institution and reach out to work collaboratively and share information with other organisations.
  • Communicate: capture, exchange, disseminate and embed good practice across an institution, between institutions and ultimately more broadly across the sector, sharing best practice, advocacy, consultation, and celebration.
  • Lead: take the lead in promoting new approaches and in doing so raise awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion issues across the sector and act as ambassadors.
  • Evaluate: build on the existing evidence base, drawing relevant learning from other sectors, and ensuring that the impact of funded activities on equality, diversity and inclusion is appropriately assessed and benchmarked.
Equality, Diversity And Inclusion Activity Grant Application Form.pdf (209 KB)
Download
Equality, Diversity And Inclusion Activity Grant Application Form.pdf (209 KB)
Equality, Diversity And Inclusion Activity Grant Application Form.word (42 KB)
Download
Equality, Diversity And Inclusion Activity Grant Application Form.word (42 KB)