CDO Grassroots Funds

Receive up to €1500 from the Central Diversity Office for your initiative pushing diversity, inclusion and equity at the university.

Do you have an idea to make the UvA a more diverse, inclusive or more equitable university? Or are you already committed to an existing project that could use some financial support? Then you can apply for the CDO Grassroots Fund and get up to € 1500 to facilitate your idea or initiative!

What is the CDO Grassroots Fund?

With the Grassroots Fund, the Central Diversity Office (CDO) wants to help set up or expand grassroots initiatives with financial support up to €1500. These ideas are initiated by communities and groups made up of staff and/or students and do not come from the board or management. The ideas are bottom-up initiatives, instead of top-down initiatives and they promote Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI). With the Grassroots Fund we encourage the community to participate, because pushing diversity, equity and inclusion is best done together.

Apply here

The rules

The CDO will process applications on a continuing basis. However, the CDO would prefer it if you can apply at least two (2) months in advance of the initiative. That way, the CDO has enough time to review the applications, make suggestions, and offer support to the initiative.

Initiatives may receive up to €1500. You have to complete the final reporting and administration within a month after the event. The CDO encourages collaboration between initiatives and networks, but that is not mandatory.

Applications are evaluated based on six aspects, that each holds a relative weight. These are designed to prioritise your application's intersectional focus and contribution to DEI. You may fill out this form in both Dutch and/or English.

Contribution to diversity, equity and inclusion on UvA’s campus (30%)
Intersectional lens and/or collaboration (20%)
Feasibility and clarity of the initiative (20%)
Potential impact and longevity for the university community (10%)
Uniqueness (10%)
Sustainability and ecological footprint (10%)

What projects are eligible for the Grassroots funds?

All students and staff are welcome to apply to the Grassroots Fund for any initiatives that contribute to a more diverse, inclusive and equitable UvA community. Potential initiatives share the focus of the CDO and meet the criteria mentioned above.

How can I apply for funding?

Submit your application 8 weeks before the start of the project using the application form on this page.
You will receive a response in which your application is approved or rejected within two weeks.
If approved, we will schedule an appointment with you to go through your plans and application.
You will receive the fund before the start of your project.
It is time to complete your project!
Afterwards you hand in a brief report about the project including visual materials.

Questions?

Reach out to the Central Diversity Office via diversity@uva.nl if you have any questions, are doubting your eligibility for the funds or are struggling with your initiative. The CDO offers support throughout the process, and that includes the brainstorming phase. We want you to make the most of your time at the UvA!