All recognized student organizations and academic or administrative units are eligible for awards up to $5,000 per proposal. To be considered for the Pathways to Diversity and Inclusion Fund, requests must meet the following criteria:

• Requested funds must contribute to creating an inclusive environment for undergraduate, graduate, and/or medical students at Brown through creative programming and opportunities (Pathways-funded events are open to all students);
• Requests should be student-centered and must enhance the experiences of students;
• Requested funds must be used during the academic year in which they were requested;
• Requests must be for events that take place after funding is awarded, not before or during the application cycle;
• Requests must be made by recognized student organizations*, or academic or administrative departments, centers, and institutes;
• Annually recurring events cannot be funded through Pathways, which is intended to support new and emerging ideas, initiatives, and collaborations;
• A Pathways Report Form is required for all funded projects within two weeks of the event date. This should include a written narrative and any media (photos, video, audio, etc.) that describe the project and its impact on the student experience;
• Prior recipients of Pathways funds are not eligible for consideration of additional funding until a Pathways Report Form is completed;
• All Pathways funds must be returned to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion if the programming or opportunity for which funds are requested is canceled or postponed to another academic year.

*Please note that any Undergraduate Council of Students and Graduate Student Council-recognized student organizations seeking Pathways to Diversity and Inclusion funds, should have prior approval for their event, or be approved pending funding, through the Division of Campus Life.

Requests can be made by recognized student organizations and academic and administrative departments, centers, and institutes, including: academic and administrative departments, centers, and institutes that provide support, resources, and mentorship for students. Student-centered programs funded by Pathways should fall within one of five categories: Community-Building, Critical Discourse, Skill-Building, Mentorship, and Professional Development.

Please note that academic and administrative departments, centers or institutes requesting funding for initiatives related to the DIAP (Brown’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan) should apply using the DIAP Fund application.

Students seeking Emergency Funding should visit the E-Gap Funds webpage for further guidance.

All applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

1. Alignment with Belonging and Inclusion Goals
   • How well does the proposed project address the goals of promoting belonging, inclusion, and diversity?
2. Impact Potential
   • What is the potential of the project to make a meaningful, measurable difference in the university community?
   • Have the organizers made a plan to advertise the event, indicating that it is open to everyone?
3. Feasibility and Sustainability
   • Is the project realistically achievable within the proposed timeline and budget?
   • Are the plans and resources clearly defined and adequate?
4. Innovation and Creativity
   • Does the project propose unique, innovative approaches to fostering inclusion?
   • Does it bring fresh ideas that are likely to engage students in new ways?

Applications will be reviewed and awarded as follows:*

Fall 2025

Spring 2026

*All applications will be reviewed by a committee and their decision is final. There is no appeal component to this process.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) does not "sponsor" events and should not be listed as such on any public promotional material. We seek to center your voice, your initiatives, and your efforts through the Pathways to Diversity and Inclusion Fund, and as the executor of these funds, we hope to ensure that student-engaged and student-centered initiatives are empowered and elevated. In enabling these events, our role is limited. ODI hosts and sponsors its own events, which complement student-centered Pathways initiatives, and those events are clearly marked as ours.

Apply for the Pathways to Diversity and Inclusion Fund