Diversity Matters Seed Grant

Thank you for your interest in the Diversity Matters Seed Grant program. While applications are closed now, we will begin soliciting proposal in Spring 2023!  

Introduction 
The Diversity Matters Seed Grant program supports research projects designed to make a positive impact on Texas A&M University’s Diversity Plan goals of accountability, campus climate, and equity. Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss proposal topics with their relevant Diversity Operations Committee representative(s) prior to submission.
 
Award Eligibility
Texas A&M University students, faculty, staff, as well as previous recipients of Diversity Matters Seed grants, are eligible to submit proposals.
 
Priorities
The Office for Diversity is prioritizing research projects that address the following issues:

• Recruitment strategies for students, faculty, and staff that are historically underrepresented in specific disciplines or the institution;
• Retention strategies for students, faculty, or staff that are historically underrepresented in specific disciplines or the institution; and
• Texas A&M’s historical legacy of inclusion and exclusion of people based on identities.

 
Funding 
Individual proposals may request a maximum of $10,000, although requests for lower amounts may be appropriate depending on the nature of the project. These are state funds and expended costs must be accounted for by the receiving unit annually. The award does not include faculty release time.
 
Proposal Submission Guidelines
Proposals must be submitted online and address the following:
 

1. Research Design: A description of the research problem, purpose, methods, anticipated impact, timeline, and budget (include a brief explanation of budget items and any matching funds).

 

2. Narrative: A description of how the proposed research will make a positive impact on Texas A&M University’s Diversity Plan goals of accountability, climate, and equity. Additionally, if applicable, please describe how the proposed research project:

 

1. Addresses the Office for Diversity priorities (recruitment, retention, and/or A&M’s historical legacy of inclusion and exclusion);
2. Incorporates collaboration across departments, colleges, or administrative units; and
3. Creates opportunities for undergraduate student research.

 

3. Plans and schedule to disseminate the findings (e.g., presentation to the Texas A&M community, conferences, journal publications, on campus seminars, book chapters, etc.)

 

4. Personnel: Names and credentials of researcher(s) including a CV/resume for the principal investigator(s)

 

5. Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval: Letter of IRB approval or statement that IRB approval is in progress or explanation why IRB approval is not needed for the proposed research.

 
Review Process and Criteria 
A panel comprised of students, faculty, and staff will be charged with reviewing and scoring the proposals. Proposals will be evaluated on the quality of the following dimensions: research design, narrative, plans to disseminate the findings, and qualifications and relevant expertise of the researcher(s).
 
Post-Funding Requirements
The principal investigator(s) of research projects that are awarded funding agree to comply with the following post-funding requirements:
 

1. Prior to release of funds, as applicable, provide Office for Diversity letter(s) of support from partner units and updates of IRB status

 

2. In any presentations and publications arising from the project, include the acknowledgment statement: “This work was supported, in part, by the 2020-2022 Diversity Matters Seed Grant, funded by the Office for Diversity at Texas A&M University.”

 

3. By December 3, 2021, the principal investigator(s) will submit a one-page (up to 500 words) progress report indicating how the funds were used and the status of the project. Submit annual updates to the Office of Diversity, specifically addressing budget, progress, and challenges on the research project.

 

4. By December 2, 2022, the principal investigator(s) will submit a two-page (up to 1,000 words) summary of research findings, recommendations for practice and future research, summary of how funding was used, and how the results have been disseminated on campus and in professional venues.

 
Inquiries
For more information about the Diversity Matters Seed Grant program, please email seedgrant@tamu.edu or call the Office for Diversity at 979-458-2905.

Seed Grant Recipients

2018-2020 Funded Seed Grant Proposals
2017-2018 Funded Seed Grant Proposals​
2016-2017 Funded Seed Grant Proposals
2015-2016 Funded Seed Grant Proposals