Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Fund

An annual fund (normally €10,000) is made available to staff and students who want to apply for small grants for projects which promote equality in Trinity. 

We welcome applications that will enhance and build on our EDI work across the university. Particularly encouraged are project proposals that align with the key areas of our work and those covered in Irish equality legislation:

• Age
• Civil status
• Disability
• Ethnicity / nationality / race
• Family status
• Gender
• Religion and belief
• Sexual orientation
• Traveller community
• Socio-economic status

Initiatives connected to those grounds are prioritised, but other diversity groups and themes may also be considered.

Additionally, projects which align with Public Sector Duty and/or connect with significant EDI dates and events, such as those outlined in our EDI Calendar are welcomed.

You can find out more about these equality areas and the work ongoing to promote them in Trinity here.

This is a great opportunity for anyone in the Trinity community to turn their idea into impact in the EDI space, and we encourage you to apply. If you have any questions regarding this process and how to get started, please contact the Equality Officer at equality@tcd.ie

Application process

Applications are now open for the current round of the EDI Fund. There is no fixed closing date - applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by the panel until all funding has been allocated.

The project selection process is overseen by members of the EDI Sub-Committee.

Selection Criteria

All current Trinity staff members and registered students (undergraduate or postgraduate) are eligible to apply for a grant from the EDI Fund. Individual, group, and collaborative projects are all considered, and joint staff and student initiatives are particularly encouraged. 

Applications with student organisers must be linked to a recognise Trinity group, e.g. a student society, sports club, academic department, support service, or similar. Applications by individual students are not eligible.

The primary objective of the Trinity EDI Fund is to support projects that aim to raise awareness of, and support and promote, equality, diversity and inclusion in Trinity.

Assessment Criteria

Project applications will be assessed and scored as follows:

1. Project proposal supports and aligns with EDI work, policy, initiatives, etc. within Trinity (30%)
2. Project proposal supports and aligns with relevant EDI legislation and policy in Ireland, including the Public Sector Duty (30%)
3. Project proposal is clear, funding requested is appropriate and time lines are feasible for project delivery (20%)
4. Project shows potential for scale-up, replication, sustainable expansion across Trinity (20%)

Only proposals which score 70 marks or over (70%) will be considered for funding. Applications which are incomplete or do not display sufficient planning and/or attention to detail may deemed ineligible.

Please note that in keeping with the equitable intent of the EDI Fund events and activities as part of funded projects should not charge a fee or admission and fundraising should not be the primary purpose of a project. The Fund will not usually be granted to projects that should normally be centrally funded by Trinity such as via the Students’ Union, the CSC or Trinity Sport.

Tips for EDI Fund Applicants

1. Read the key documents for the Fund - our Terms of Reference, Information for Project Organisers, and see examples of Past Projects
2. Be realistic in your funding request it must be sufficient to cover the activities proposed - projects are usually allocated a maximum of €1,000, and proposals with clear budgets are more likely to succeed.
3. Be clear in your application form – do not leave sections incomplete.
4. Consider the potential long-term sustainability of your project and how it might be scaled up, ongoing or shared and replicated in the future in Trinity.