D&I Dissertation Grant

Purpose

The work of BU Diversity & Inclusion is driven by our core values of Inclusion, Education, and Change and Action. Thus, we promote institutional advancement through funding and supporting innovative scholarship and research that deepens our understanding of equity, diversity, and justice in society. The Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Dissertation Grant provides $2,000 to BU doctoral students to support their dissertation research that “[furthers] our understanding of historical and contemporary social issues related to identity, difference, culture, representation, power, oppression, and inequality — as they occur and affect individuals, groups, communities, and institutions.” (Diversity Scholarship Framework, National Center for Institutional Diversity)

Amount

Up to five awards of $2,000 each will be awarded in May 2025 for the one-year grant cycle (June 1, 2025-May 31, 2026).

Use of Grant Funds

• Funds can be used to support dissertation research activities such as: accessing data or archival records, paying undergraduate student research assistants to assist with dissertation research activities, purchasing software to facilitate research, costs associated with manuscript preparation, costs associated with travel for fieldwork or research site visits, and participant stipends.
• Funds may not be used to pay yourself a stipend or for professional development activities, such as conference travel (unless specifically related to dissertation research activities) or for mentoring.
• Grant funds will be transferred to your department to administer to you in alignment with your approved budget.

Eligibility

• BU doctoral candidates in good academic standing who will be engaged in approved dissertation research by May 2025.
• Recipients must be enrolled as a full-time student during the Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 semesters and must not graduate before December 19, 2025.
• Funds can only be used during the one-year grant cycle beginning in May 2025 and ending May 31, 2026
• Recipients can only receive this award once.

Expectations of Grant Recipients

• Acknowledge the research support of BU Diversity & Inclusion in conference posters, presentations, and papers.
• Allow BU D&I to highlight your work in our communications channels (e.g., monthly campuswide newsletter, social media, website).
• Participate in D&I Grants Celebration in Spring 2026.
• Submit an expense report at the end of the grant year.
• Invited to participate in Info Sessions to recruit new applicants for next grant cycle.

Application Requirements

A completed application consists of two parts:

1) A completed web form (link below) submitted by March 7, 2025.

2) A letter of support from a faculty advisor:

• Your faculty advisor should email their letter in support of your application to odi@bu.edu with subject: Faculty support letter for [applicant’s name]. The faculty support letter is also due by March 7, 2025.
• Instructions for faculty advisor: In a one-page letter emailed to odi@bu.edu with subject line: Faculty support letter for [applicant’s name], please address the following:
  • Name of doctoral student applicant;
  • What are 1-2 examples of what the applicant’s dissertation might contribute
  • How has this applicant demonstrated their potential to contribute to the field?
  • Based on the applicant’s current progress, when do you estimate that they will complete their dissertation?

Application Timeline

Info Session

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