Request for Applications
Deadline: April 16, 2026
The College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Inclusive Excellence Grant Initiative. This program is designed to advance inclusive excellence in the College with awards up to $2500 per project. Specifically, applications must address one or more of the following goals from the CAS Strategic Plan for Inclusive Excellence to be considered:
- GOAL 1: Embed, integrate, and advance inclusive excellence within all aspects of CAS.
- GOAL 2: Improve recruitment and retention of employees, students, and volunteers from underrepresented communities.
- GOAL 3: Create an inclusive, welcoming college and workplace climate to support a sense of belonging and equitable learning, training, and working experiences.
- GOAL 4: The portfolio of research, teaching, Extension, and service across the College reflects the needs of diverse groups across Oregon, the US, and internationally
Applications that also tie the proposed activities to Prosperity Widely Shared goals will be given funding priority.
- GOAL 1: A university focused on big discoveries that drive big solutions.
- GOAL 2 A university where every student graduates.
- GOAL 3: A university that fuels a thriving world.
All full and part-time CAS faculty and staff are eligible to apply. Students or student groups interested in submitting a proposal will need to have a faculty or staff sponsor who submits the proposal on their behalf. Ideally, applications will propose projects that have large impact, are fiscally appropriate, and have clear timelines. Projects that include multiple units are encouraged. The impacts of the proposed activities must extend to an organization (e.g., student group, department, branch experiment station, center or institute, or College) and not only benefit a single person.
A review panel from the CAS administration will rate proposals in the following areas:
- Approach
- Alignment with the CAS Strategic Plan for Inclusive Excellence
- Alignment with Prosperity Widely Shared
- Outcomes and Impacts
- Budget and Budget Justification
A detailed rubric is provided as a PDF file.
How To Apply
All applications must include both of the following sections:
1) Project Details
- Cover page with title, PI and Co-PIs
-
Description of project and approach
- How project advances inclusive excellence
- How project aligns with the CAS Strategic Plan for Inclusive Excellence
- How project aligns with Prosperity Widely Shared
- Anticipated outcomes and impacts
- Anticipated timeline
- Budget and budget justification
NOTE: When combined, the Project Details section should not exceed 5 pages. Appendices, if needed, may be included (and do not contribute to the five-page limit
2) Letter of Support
One letter of support is required from a supervisor, department chair, unit leader, or College leadership. If supplemental funding is being provided by the unit, include approval for that amount in the letter of support.
Gather the information listed above and combine it into one PDF document. Submit your materials to [email protected] with a subject line of ‘2026 Inclusive Excellence Grant Application’ no later than 5:00 PM on April 16, 2026. For questions, please email Nadia Singh at [email protected].
Frequenlty Asked Questions:
What is the timeline for award notification?
We anticipate notification of awards by June 1, 2026.
How many projects will be funded this year?
We anticipate funding up to ten proposals this year.
When do funds need to be spent by?
Awarded funds must be spent by June 1, 2027.
Can temporary employees apply for these funds?
Yes! All full or part-time CAS faculty and staff are eligible to apply.
Can funds be used for faculty or staff salary?
No, faculty or staff salary is not an allowable cost for this grant initiative. Funds to support student workers are an allowable expense.
Can I apply for funds to attend a conference?
Projects that benefit a single participant will not be considered for funding. The goal of this program is to advance inclusive excellence at the level of an organization (e.g., student group, department, branch experiment station, center or institute, or College) For individual professional development, please see the CAS Professional Development Award application.
Is there an expectation that applications include a plan for long-term sustainability of the activities?
This program is designed for one-time interventions to advance inclusive excellence. There is no requirement that the proposals include a strategy for long-term sustainability of the proposed activities.
What if I miss the application deadline?
Can I apply another time? It is our hope that this will be a recurring funding opportunity and that there will be an annual call for proposals to advance inclusive excellence in CAS.
Can I seek support for an existing program?
Yes, proposals can be used to support existing programs or activities. However, a proposal that seeks to expand or enhance a program or activity will be viewed more favorably than one that only maintains the current activity.
What will be required if I am granted funding?
Within 60 days of completing the proposed activities, a report must be submitted to the Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence. The report must explain how the funds were used and describe the outcomes and impacts of the activities.