FBE | MBSL Diversity and Inclusion Small Grants Program
Introduction
FBE and MBSL are committed to fostering and enhancing a culture that promotes diversity and inclusion in the community of both faculties. Aligned with this commitment, the FBE/MBSL Joint D&I Committee is pleased to announce a small grants program to support staff and students who are interested in hosting or coordinating events that advance the vision of FBE and MBSL as trusted leaders in diversity and inclusion.
We invite applications for projects, activities, and events that advance diversity and inclusion within FBE, MBSL, and the wider University community for the 2024 academic year. Up to five grants, each up to $3,000AUD, will be awarded this year. The grants will be allocated on a competitive basis.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be a student or member of staff in FBE or MBSL, who will be enrolled and/or in a continuing or fixed term position until at least 31 December 2024. Applications may come from an individual or a group. Staff (including academics and professional staff) and students from diverse religious, cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds, people with disability, Indigenous Australians and LGBTIQA+ staff and students are especially encouraged to apply.
Please note: Applications from students or student clubs must nominate a full-time staff member who works at FBE or MBSL to act as supervisor.
Application information
Applications for the 2024 grant round are now open. The deadline for submissions is 5pm AEST, 29 March 2024.
Type of events encouraged
Funding will be given to events such as film screenings, workshops, panel discussions, cultural performance and other activities that build awareness, create space for all students and staff members to mark occasions of cultural significance, and create an inclusive and welcoming environment across the Faculty. Events that facilitate wide participation are especially encouraged. Events must be completed by 30 November 2024.
Cost covered by the grant
The grant can be used for the payment of any goods or services that support the event outlined in your application. This may include:
- Venue and equipment hire
- Printing / stationery / graphic design
- Advertising
- Payment of domestic guest speakers/performers
- Travel costs associated with the activity
- Catering
- Exhibition costs
The grant cannot be spent on:
- Goods and services provided by overseas suppliers
- Salaries or teaching buyout
- Activities/projects that will charge participation fees
- Research
- Learning and teaching projects
- Retrospective funding for projects already underway or completed
- The purchase of equipment
How to apply?
In the application, information should be included in relation to:
- Your name, division, and name/contact of your direct supervisor at the faculty
- Student name, student number, program enrolled (UG, PG or Graduate Research), and name of the student club/association if applicable in case of a student or student club application
- Name and email of the full-time staff supervisor in case of a student or student club application
The following questions should be addressed in the application:
- The theme of the project and the timelines
- How is the implementation of the project expected to contribute to advancing the vision of the faculty in cultivating a diverse and inclusive culture?
- Direct evidence on the applicant’s capacity and capability of fulfilling the project
- How will the faculty grant benefit the implementation of the project?
- Briefly describe the need for your initiative, the anticipated reach of this project, its significance, and how the allocated funds will be used to achieve these aims.
Please note: Application outcomes will be communicated to the applicants by 15 April 2024.
If you have any questions about the Small Grants Program or application process, please email fbembsl-di@unimelb.edu.au.
Acknowledgement
We are inspired by the Small-Grants Program for D&I Activities established by the Faculty of Arts in creating this program.
2023 Awarded projects
Working & Living with Chronic Illness
Peter Ghin, Management and Marketing, FBE
On the 28th of November 2023, a webinar was organized to:
- raise awareness about long-term health conditions (LTHCs) within the University of Melbourne staff and graduate research student community, specifically, the barriers that people with chronic illness face in the workplace, and
- provide a platform of inclusion for people living with LTHCs within the University of Melbourne community.
Topics covered in the webinar include illness disclosure, the process of requesting workplace adjustments, managing a professional identity, and adopting a ‘disability’ identity.
Dilin Duwa Regional Series Indigenous Business Outcomes and Opportunity
Ashlen Francisco, Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership
On the 9th of November 2023, Dilin Duwa, with the support of the 2023 FBE/MBSL D&I Small Grants program, hosted the film screening of “Yarrabah’s Dilin Duwa”. Produced by Dilin Duwa, the presentation of the film was supported by members of the Yarrabah Leaders Forum for a Panel and Q&A session. Four members of the Yarrabah Leaders Forum (YLF) travelled from Queensland to attend the screening. Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) flew three executives to Melbourne, along with their Melbourne-based business development executive, to attend the screening.
The Value of Disability Access for Businesses and Institutions
Vivian Liu, BCom student, EnAccess Maps
The conversation on the 16th November 2023 brought together renowned specialists from the disability industry to share their personal insights and explore the benefits of prioritizing disability access for the private sector. Ryan Smith from the Access Agency, as the keynote speaker, discussed how disability inclusion benefits the economy. Then, Peta Hooke, Flic Manning, and Keith McVilly joined the discussion and delved into topics including the current state of disability inclusion in our society, how it may appear, and how it can benefit the economy.
Embracing Diversity: Global Gourmet and Trivia Extravaganza
John A. Nguyen, MBSL student, Student Representative Council
As an immersive celebration of cultural diversity, the event combined an International Food Festival and Diversity Trivia Night. It showcased 11 international cuisines, and the menu catered to diverse tastes of students from both FBE and MBSL. The event featured a slideshow of beautiful sites from each country and international music, enhancing the global atmosphere.
