Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Educational Development Mini-Grant Program

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Educational Development Mini-Grant Program is sponsored by Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD Network). This program encourages DEI work in areas of educational development, providing seed money for projects that advance equity and inclusion, and dismantle racism, especially as it relates to the teaching and learning environment.

### Call for Applications **2026 Call for Applications** **DEI Educational Development Mini-Grants** #### The application deadline is Friday, July 31, 2026. The Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD)’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee enthusiastically invites applications for the 2026 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Educational Development Mini-Grant program.

This program serves to provide seed funding for educational developers who are from underrepresented groups or who work at traditionally underrepresented institutions to conduct research projects, resource development, or programming that focuses on advancing equity and inclusion, and dismantling racism in its many forms, especially as it relates to the teaching and learning environment.

### The DEI Committee invites Mini-Grant applications To encourage DEI work in areas of educational development, the DEI Committee will award amounts ranging from $600 to $1,800 to individuals or groups from a single institution.

The mini-grants serve as a springboard for a diverse array of ideas and approaches and to provide seed money for books, materials, supplies, stipends, or fees that are needed to broaden education and spark innovation within the POD Network.

While the mini-grant awards are for educational developers, they may be used to support related staff and student research that contributes to equity and inclusion efforts across the POD Network and the field of educational development. The POD DEI Committee welcomes applications for the Mini-Grants from all individuals from any higher education institution.

For each application, all applicants must meet one or more criteria listed here: * persons from historically underrepresented groups including, but not limited to: individuals who identify as racial and/or ethnic minorities (as defined within the U.S. context); lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender individuals; and individuals with disabilities.

* individuals working at traditionally underrepresented institutions including, but not limited to, the following: Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Native American Tribal Colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions or Hispanic Area Colleges and Institutions, Minority-Serving Institutions (or those aspiring to become MSI’s, and community colleges).

* applicants who would join POD and contribute to its mission over the long term with particular interests related to social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion (writ large) in educational development. **Please note:** Applicants are only allowed to submit one mini-grant application per funding cycle. Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received a mini-grant in the prior years.

#### Mini-Grants Overview Applicants may be (1) an**individual;** or (2) a **group from a****single institution. ** Mini-Grant awards range from **$600 to $1,800 each**. Awardees can use up to $500 for travel directly related to the project.

* Submit a final report at the end of funding cycle * Participate in several surveys by the POD DEI Committee to help assess the impacts of this program * Recipients are encouraged to present their project results at the POD annual conference in the following year. See Mini-Grant application form and details below. All grant applications are due **Friday, July 31, 2026**.

Notification of funding by mid-September 2026. #### Mini-Grant Application Form and Details ##### **Mini-Grant Application Questions:** As articulated in the application questions, applicants must address all of the following: * Provide a brief sentence to describe the theme or focus of the project 2. Project Objectives and description * What are the DEI issues and topics you are trying to address and why?

* How will this project advance equity and inclusion, dismantle racism in its many forms, and/or reverse marginalization of historically underserved and underrepresented populations, especially as related to the teaching and learning environment?

* Detail how the project will support educational developers from historically underrepresented groups or working at traditionally underrepresented institutions in the area of teaching and learning. * Anticipated contributions of the proposed project to DEI within the applicants’ institution/s, the POD network, and the broader field of educational development.

(_Grant recipients are encouraged to present their project at the 2026 POD Conference_.) * How the objectives and impacts of the project would be assessed and evaluated.

* Explanation of how grant funds will be used to advance DEI work proposed in this project; * Include a budget that lists the following categories as needed: stipends for applicants/ researcher/ student workers (estimate of work hours), travel, printing/presentation materials, technology expenses (software, video production, podcast, etc.), honorarium for guest speakers or panelists, project materials (workbooks, etc.).

* Potential support (financial or otherwise) applicants will receive relevant to the work outlined in this application. #### Recipients of Mini-Grants are expected to: * Attend the 2026 DEI Committee’s Annual Business Meeting (virtual, date to be announced) and are encouraged to attend diversity-related POD sessions during the 2026 POD Conference. * Present your project results at the 2027 POD Conference.

Depending on the nature of your project, you may wish to propose an individual session through the conference call for proposals; alternatively, you might be invited to participate in a group session organized by the DEI Committee to showcase funded projects. * Share the outcomes of your work in a final report to the DEI Committee.

* Acknowledge the POD Network in any publications, presentations, reports, or webpages about the initiative. Specific language for such acknowledgements will be provided in the award letter. Participate in assessments by the DEI Committee related to the grant.

These assessments help support POD’s strategic goal of promoting evidence-based practices. Below is a link to a previously awarded project. Please note that this is an example of the type of work the grant has supported; it is not a template for the kind of projects that the DEI Committee will support.

In fact, we welcome new ideas that support the committee’s mission of diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational development. **Place-Based Book Club for Teaching within the Context of Hawai’i** Please don’t hesitate to contact POD DEI Fellowship Co-Coordinators Zeenar Salim, Zhihong Chen, Asta Habtemichael and Martha Kakooza at diversity@podnetwork. org.

We look forward to receiving your application!

### Mini-Grant Recipients **Access Advocates: Disability Education in Practice** Abby Breyer, University of Kansas, English Department **Neuroscience Careers & DEI: Building Inclusive Pathways Through Expert Panels** Rosie Dutt, UNC Chapel Hill **From Problem to Practice: Faculty Engagement with Inclusive and Culturally Sustaining Teaching** Jaime O’Connor, The Evergreen State College, The Washington Center for Improving Undergraduate Education