UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CROOKSTON DIVERSITY & MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Small Grants Program

What are Diversity & Multiculturalism Professional Development Small Grants?
As UMC faculty and staff members, you can apply for up to $1,000.00 to further your own learning in the areas of diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice. To apply for this opportunity, your completed application should be dropped or mail to the Diversity & Multicultural Affairs Office by October 30, 2006. If you receive a Small Grant, the funds must be spent by June 30, 2007. The primary purpose of the Small Grants Program is to complement, build, and strengthen faculty and staff development around issues of Diversity and Multiculturalism. Diversity & Multicultural Affairs defines Diversity as the simple recognition of human differences. Based on the University of Minnesota's Equal Opportunity Statement, we pay particular attention to the areas of: race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, and sexual orientation within the context of the United States. The UMC and Diversity & Multicultural Affairs purpose is to promote a strong and diverse community of learners and teachers. Applicants are asked to think about and describe the level at which learning, growth, and change can occur as a result of receiving a Small Grant: personal, interpersonal, institutional, and/or cultural. Special consideration will be given to applications that can demonstrate a direct connection to program improvement and delivery to new, diverse, and historically underserved audiences.

Who can apply for a Small Grant?
All UMC faculty and staff are eligible to apply for a Small Grant regardless of their role within the organization. In an effort to make this opportunity available to as many staff as possible, grants will be awarded on a one-time basis only.

What can the funds be used for?
. Books, videos, learning and resource materials.
. Professional conference registration fees, online courses and/or credit courses related to diversity, multiculturalism, social justice education or related areas
. Travel expenses for workshops and conferences related to diversity, multiculturalism, social justice or related areas.
. Longer-term immersion experiences that will provide significant contact across boundaries of human difference.

What are the reporting requirements? Individuals receiving Small Grants will need to submit a short evaluation form that describes the funded effort or experience, including supporting data as to the impact (changes/benefits) of the experience. The required evaluation form will also be sent to you with your award letter.

If you would like more information about the Diversity & Multicultural Professional Development Small Grants Program contact Marcia R. Walker at 218-281-8583 (walke161@umn.edu). The application forms are included in the Diversity & Multicultural Affairs website.