How to Apply for the Equality Fund

Application Process

Equality Fund Subcommittee (of the Equality Committee)

• The Equality Committee Chair: Prof Fintan Sheerin
• A member of the Equality Committee: Mr Declan Treanor
• A staff representative from the Equality Committee: Prof Ahuvia Kahane
• A student representative from the Equality Committee: Ms Sierra Mueller-Owens
• A nominee from the Financial Services Division:  Mr Stephen Fagan

Selection Criteria

All current Trinity staff members and registered students are eligible to apply for a grant from the Equality Fund. Individual, group, and collaborative projects are all considered, and joint staff and student initiatives are particularly encouraged and welcomed.
Projects should aim to raise awareness of equality issues and celebrate diversity in Trinity. Examples might include, but are not limited to:

• bridge-building / awareness-raising events
• exhibitions / artworks / performances
• publications / online resources
• training / workshops
• longer-term schemes / facilities

Various elements of the project can be funded so long as they are reasonable and essential to the project. Past projects have been reimbursed for professional fees, equipment, catering, printing, venue hire, guest speakers' travel and accommodation, to give just a few examples. Please read carefully the section on this website Information for Project Organisers to ensure you fully understand the reimbursements and repayments conditions related to Equality Fund projects.
Proposals are judged with consideration to the following:

1. relevance to the selected/ equality ground(s) (20%)
2. expected benefit (impact) for Trinity (30%)
3. expected benefit (impact) for wider society (10%)
4. originality and creative approach (20%)
5. value for money (20%)

A balance will be sought in the allocation of funds to student initiatives and staff initiatives, and between a variety of diversity groups, where possible.
Please note the following limitations:

• Equality Fund grants will not be allocated to projects that should otherwise be centrally funded by the University, the CSC, departments or other sources. Therefore projects are not normally funded on a repeat basis
• Costs associated with catering and refreshments will only be funded if they are essential to the project and only up to a maximum limit determined by the Equality Fund Sub-Committee and must be in compliance with the TCD Hospitality and Entertainment Policy.
• The Equality Fund will not normally be allocated to events that charge an admission fee (which is more than a nominal / token fee), and projects involving fundraising will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If your proposed project would involve either admission fees or fundraising, please speak with the Equality Office before you submit your application.

Tips for Applicants

1. Be informed about the Fund - read all the information online and contact the Equality Office with questions you might have.
2. Be realistic in your funding request it must be sufficient to cover the activities proposed - projects are usually allocated between €300 and €1,000, and proposals with economical budgets are more likely to succeed.
3. Be clear in your application form - show that you have worked out the detail of how your project will be implemented for maximum impact.
4. Consider the potential sustainability of your project and how it might be scaled up, ongoing or shared and replicated in the future.
5. Be concise - focus on key and factual information.