The Sphere Programme, launched as part of the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Delivery Plan in September, has announced its first call for funding.

Two funding streams are available through the programme.

A £250-£2,000 fund which may cover requests like:
• specific events which allow participants to explore particular issues relating to EDI in more depth initiatives which change the way that we normally do things in our work or study, such as a new intervention to support students
• training activities or a seminar
• purchase of external resources for use in teaching

The second stream of funding is focussed on producing new empirical research on Diversity and Inclusion. These projects will be for £2,000-£5,000 and can be used to pilot specific research ideas and/or to develop new research initiatives.

These projects should be seen as seed corn funding for follow-up research bids. This funding stream is aligned to the University’s new Diversity and Inclusion Research Hub, which focuses on investigating contemporary issues of equality and diversity to bring about sustainable, long-term sociocultural change to our societies.

Full details on eligibility, the review process, and how to apply for both streams of funding are available on the University’s EDI webpages. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 27 November.