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Inclusive Excellence Grant

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Our Inclusive Excellence Grants (formerly known as the Chancellor’s Diversity Challenge Fund) is a funding opportunity to support innovative University-level activities, events, or projects that have the potential to enhance diversity, promote equity, and foster inclusion throughout UNC Charlotte and our surrounding communities. Open to faculty and staff, this initiative provides modest resources with a preference for projects that are rooted in high-impact, evidence-based practices; involve cross-cultural collaborations; hold the most significant potential for sustainable success; and align with the strategic goals of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Projects selected for funding are restricted to a maximum award amount of up to $10,000.

All funds must be spent in accordance with University fiscal and procurement policies.  

Limited non-state funds are available for food items and other expenses that may not be purchased with state funds. Requests for food purchases will be considered. Funding for food expenses will not exceed $500 and will be based on availability.​

FALL 2023 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

  • Proposal Submissions Open: Jan. 4, 2023
  • Proposal Deadline: March 13, 2023
  • Project Completion Period: July 2023 – May 2024

SPRING 2024 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

  • Proposal Submissions Open: Aug. 21, 2023
  • Proposal Deadline: Oct. 9, 2023
  • Project Completion Period: Jan - May 2024

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Proposal Priority Areas

Introduce activities such as professional development workshops, curriculum expansion, cultural immersion events, conferences, and other knowledge-sharing opportunities aimed at increasing capacity in cultural competence and cultural humility for students, faculty, and/or staff.
Demonstrate promising or best practices to recruit, retain, and aid in the persistence and success of individuals from minoritized groups and disadvantaged backgrounds (e.g., socioeconomic, first-generation, students from Title I schools).
Advocate for the use of data and research to create a culture of self-study to explore and examine the impact of equity gaps in policies, resources, organizational and communication structures and performance measures in the pursuit of creating practices that will lead to the development and sustainability of spaces where aach member of our community has the full opportunity to access and thrive in our environment. See past institutional recommendations here.

Aims to invite student-centric and collaborative programming and partnerships among groups, centers, programs, registered student organizations, and/or initiatives that are looking to address the importance of diverse views and cultures. These programs should educate others on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, strengthen belonging and engagement among minoritized groups, and increase opportunities for collaborative learning around issues of inclusive excellence. 

Proposal Rating Criteria

Proposals will: (1) contribute to and enhance Charlotte’s climate as a more equitable and inclusive place to study, research, and work, and (2) will address some elements of DEI findings/recommendations from other documented reports or surveys within the University.
The ways in which the proposal is creative, proposing a novel approach towards enhancing or addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The expected and measured difference(s) the project will make on the issues addressed, the audience(s) it will serve, and the number of people it will affect.
All submissions must identify the means of evaluating the data or conclusion of their project. Additionally, all funded projects are required to submit a closing report detailing the results and impact of the project, lessons learned, and a financial statement detailing how grant dollars have been spent.
How the project will bring together two or more campus or community entities to advance mutual goals and shared knowledge.
The leadership, capacity, diversity of investigators, and qualifications of the individual or group to implement the project.
All submissions will include a detailed budget for how you plan to spend the granted funds.
How likely is the project to be continued and incorporated or replicated by other student organizations, faculty, and staff on campus. There are opportunities for continued funding based on project impact.

PROJECT FINAL REPORT

Awardees are required to complete and submit an outcome report no more than 60 days following the conclusion of their program, activity, or implementation of the initiative. All final reports are to be submitted by no later than May 30th of the academic year in which the grant was awarded. Failure to do so will prevent future consideration of funding for Innovation in Inclusive Excellence Grants and associated partners. Your outcome report should include the following:

  • Overview of major activities 
  • Results – findings, developments, conclusions 
  • Key outcomes and/or achievements and evidence of activity
  • How the project has resulted in increased impact or capacity in the identified project priority area(s) 
  • Final budget expenditures and supporting documentation

Email the project final report to dei-office@charlotte.edu.

If you have any questions, email nkawalec@charlotte.edu.