As in previous years, the Ambassadors' Network is keen to hear ideas that will help to increase diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of Twente. Do you have a refreshing and innovative project idea that you would like to pursue? Then apply now for funding from the Incentive Fund, which was created by the Ambassadors' Network and which has been made available for the very first time for students who want to work towards strengthening, appreciating and respecting diversity and fostering inclusion, through a contribution from the DE&I Team.
Boosting diversity and inclusion together: just about anything is possible
Practically anything is possible. You could, for example, opt for a workshop, an exhibition or to conduct a short research project to help the UT tackle the challenges of diversity and inclusion. Lisalotte van der Tas (Team Leader Learning Centre) applied to the Incentive Fund last year for a project to boost the University Library as a Living Lab. Lisalotte: "We aim for the University Library to be an open and inspiring place where everyone can comfortably learn and work, as a student, as an employee or as someone who simply enjoys spending time there. With this project, we intend to give an impulse to inclusion. In the first phase of the project, students developed a survey to discover how people currently feel about the library. How inclusive is our approach, or are our facilities and services? The survey produced interesting ideas and insights. Now we are looking into ways of implementing them.”
Funding for employees and students
The total available budget is € 55,000 with a maximum of € 10,000 per application for employees and € 5,000 for students. Projects requesting a smaller budget are of course more than welcome. You can submit your proposal before 17 June by sending your application to diversity-ga@utwente.nl. The proposals which meet the criteria will then be assessed by the UT Ambassadors' Network and DE&I Team. Budget is awarded to proposals which transform ideas into activities, studies or projects which help UT to become a more inclusive organisation in a lasting way.
Further information and contact
You can find more information about the Incentive Fund on the Incentive Fund website. Here you can also find details about the criteria to be met and how to submit an application. Any specific questions? Please contact Michael Neys, HR DE&I Policy Advisor and Secretary of the Ambassadors' Network (m.t.neys@utwente.nl) or Sterre Mkatini, DE&I Officer (s.n.mkatini@utwente.nl).
