The Advancing EDII Fund for Astroparticle Physics

Aligned with the McDonald Institute’s strategy for building equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization (EDII) capacity within the discipline, the Advancing EDII Fund for Astroparticle Physics aims to financially support community building and strengthening efforts in physics training and research environments across Canada. This program is open to undergraduate, graduate, postdoc, staff, research scientists, and faculty, with some additional eligibility considerations for faculty members.* 

Description: Equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization are vital in physics, as these principles drive scientific progress, promote fairness and justice, encourage innovation, and ensure that the field remains relevant and accessible to a wide range of talented individuals. The McDonald Institute Advancing EDII Fund for Astroparticle Physics provides support for EDII capacity development within astroparticle physics and related disciplines. Funding of up to $1,000 CAD (Stream 1) and $2,500 CAD (Streams 2 and 3) is currently available to offset the real costs to applicants who seek to enhance EDII in their training and research environments.  

Preference will be given to activities that expand EDII action in HQP training and research environments in the field of astroparticle physics and related disciplines in one of the following three streams: 

Stream 1 (up to $1,000 CAD) – Seed funding for new initiatives that enhance EDII capacity in research labs, groups, and departments for starting novel programs, training opportunities, activities, or events. 

Stream 2 (up to $2,500 CAD) – Support funding for existing initiatives that advance EDII in the field for initiatives, programs, or events.  

Stream 3 (up to $2,500 CAD) – Support funding for faculty members* who are actively working towards goals using the DEAP Tool for Researchers (or an equivalent equity-based assessment tool).    

For examples of potential initiatives, please see the Application Guidelines document.

*Please note, that if you are a faculty member applying for any of these streams, it is expected that you are engaged with the DEAP Tool for Researchers.  

 

Who Can Apply? 

Applicants must be enrolled or employed in a post-secondary physics department or employed or studying with an aligned research facility in Canada. 

 

Core Eligibility Criteria

Initiatives proposed must align with the strategic objectives of the McDonald Institute. 

Proposed initiatives must include a comprehensive plan, measurable indicators for success, budget justification, and follow-up action plan (see guidelines). 

Applications cannot request retroactive coverage. Funds will be distributed across a cost-recovery model, upon receiving compliant invoices within 30 days of the initiative.

 

How it works

The applicant(s) must provide a completed application form and a budget justification form as a single document for the application. Applications requesting retroactive coverage are not eligible.  

Applications will be adjudicated internally by McDonald Institute staff, and with outside support from the Human Rights and Equity Office on an as-needed basis. Applications will be evaluated on a continuous basis until the funds for this opportunity are exhausted or until the pilot funding ends on March 15, 2024, while initiatives may occur after the grant’s closure up to June 15, 2024.  

Funds will be distributed through a cost-recovery model, upon receiving compliant invoices. That means, if you are a student or post-doctoral fellow applying, you should speak to your supervisor and/or your department/institution about supporting the financial costs of your initiative upfront. 

 

Timeline

Applications will be evaluated on a continuous basis, until the Round 1 Advancing EDII Fund closes March 15, 2024 at 11:59pm ET.

To submit an application, the application form and the budget form should be sent as one document to admin@mcdonaldinstitute.ca with “MI Advancing EDII Fund – [Applicant’s Last name]” as the subject line. 

 

 

Potential Ways to Use the Fund

Consider the following initiative examples, but please feel free to propose novel applications of the grant in support of EDII capacity development in your training and research environments.

Examples

  • Host an EDII training event or workshop for your lab or research group, or student club. These professional development opportunities could span topics in decolonization, Indigenization, reconciliation, accessibility, inclusion, positive space, anti-racism, among other important topics. Open to Streams 1, 2, & 3.
  • Start or support an existing mentorship program, inclusive of networking events, mentorship meetups, career workshops, lab tours, field trips, or similar activities. Open to Streams 1 & 2.
  • Coordinate with a local STEM advocacy group on collaborative opportunities (for example, education and outreach activities supporting diversity in physics and related disciplines). Open to Streams 1, 2, & 3.
  • Purchase of an EDII and physics or STEM book (hardcopy, digital, audio) for a book/journal club. Open to Streams 1, 2, & 3.
  • Food and non-alcoholic beverages to enhance lab or collaboration gatherings to participate in an in-person/ hybrid/online EDII training, workshop, or speaker. Open to Streams 1, 2, & 3.
  • Initiate a menstrual equity program in your building. Open to Stream 1.
  • Book simultaneous ASL translation for a public education event. Open to Streams 2 & 3.
  • Host a conversation with potential Indigenous partner(s), in which costs for sacred tobacco, Elder or knowledge keeper fees, etc. would be incurred. Open to Streams 2 & 3.
  • Hire an accessibility consultant to do an assessment of a physical laboratory space for future upgrades and improvements. Open to Stream 3.