Inside Iowa State

Sept. 8, 2006

Grants target scholarly diversity efforts

by Anne Krapfl

The provost's office announces a new diversity grants program this year, intended to support the strategic plan by supporting diversity efforts in education, research or outreach. The maximum grant size is $5,000; six to eight proposals will receive funding. The submission deadline for proposals is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22.

"Our hope is that these funds would be used as seed grants to accelerate projects that already are in the works, or perhaps to gather preliminary data for a larger proposal," said Claire Andreasen, chair of veterinary pathology and special assistant to the provost this fall.

Grant proposals do require matching funds. Andreasen said that could include salary for release time. "We're trying to be flexible with that requirement," she noted. "What's important is that departments or colleges see this as a serious commitment and help support the applicants."

The grant program responds to one recommendation in the April 2005 report of a planning implementation committee that followed up on the campus climate survey done in February 2004.

Proposals can come from individuals or teams. Teams must include at least one faculty member.

Grant recipients will be notified by Oct. 16. All funds must be used and an impact report sent to the provost's office by June 30, 2007. More information, including the application form and directions, is online at www.provost.iastate.edu/diversity. Questions about the purpose of the grants or the application process should be directed to Julie Tarbox, 4-6410, jtarbox@iastate.edu.

"Our hope is that these funds would be used as seed grants to accelerate projects that already are in the works, or perhaps to gather preliminary data for a larger proposal."

Claire Andreasen, chair of veterinary pathology and special assistant to the provost