EDI Action Fund

About the Fund

The Temerty Faculty of Medicine Equity, Inclusion and Diversity (EDI) Action Fund is administrated by the Office of Inclusion and Diversity (OID), and contributes to Temerty Medicine’s commitment to Excellence through Equity, one of the three Strategic Domains of Focus named in the 2018-2023 Academic Strategic Plan. It aims to support Temerty Medicine learners in being champions of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) by transforming their ideas for initiatives into reality. It awards a maximum of $500 to applicants with successful proposals on a reimbursement basis. The fund may approve a maximum of 10 proposals per year (May to April).

Application Form

Applications are currently closed. Please check back in May 2024 for access to the online application form.

Final Report

In order to receive a reimbursement for project costs, approved recipients of the fund must complete this final report form in full. It is a good idea to review the final report before starting your project to get an idea of the information you will be asked to report back on.

Eligibility

Applicant Eligibility

The following groups are eligible to apply to the EDI Action Fund (one project funded per group per year):

  1. U of T MedSoc recognized student groups;
  2. Temerty Medicine undergraduate student associations;
  3. Temerty Medicine graduate student associations (including student unions and associations);
  4. Unofficial Temerty Medicine student groups, and;
  5. A currently enrolled part-time, full-time or flex time Temerty Medicine individual learner or group of learners, supported by a Temerty Medicine staff or faculty member advisor. (Note that if your proposal is approved, you will then be asked for written confirmation from your staff/faculty advisor that they are acting as an advisor for your initiative.) The learner(s) can be enrolled in any Temerty Medicine department (MD, undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate), at St. George or Mississauga campus, including rehabilitation sciences, basic sciences or clinical departments. Note that the learner(s) must be currently enrolled (part-time, full-time or flex time) at Temerty Medicine throughout the entire duration of the initiative.

Although it is not required, we do encourage applicants to work collaboratively and across departments. Two or more student groups may decide to submit joint applications, as long as at least one group is connected to Temerty Medicine.

Project Eligibility

Eligible initiatives must demonstrate that they contribute to advancing EDI at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

Eligible initiatives may include any of the following:

We encourage initiatives that tackle the following topics as they relate to education/research/clinical practice at the Faculty of Medicine:

  • Holding a panel event
  • Designing a zine
  • Facilitating social/networking event
  • Making a podcast
  • Developing a campaign
  • Creating a toolkit
  • Creating a photo series and exhibit
  • Film screening and dialogue
  • Developing/facilitating a workshop
  • Running a conference
  • Or More!
  • 2SLGBTQIA+ issues
  • Anti-racism
  • Antisemitism
  • Climate justice
  • Decolonization/Indigeneity
  • Disability inclusion/accessibility
  • Economic inequality
  • Islamophobia
  • Sexism/gender justice
  • Xenophobia
  • Providing supports for international students
  • And any other topics related to EDI, social determinants of health, anti-oppression, etc.

We encourage intersectional, innovative and creative thinking. Initiatives must incorporate social justice/anti-oppression approaches, and consider how accessibility considerations will be addressed. For example:

  • if you propose a panel, have you ensured a diversity in speakers’ race, gender, and other dimensions of diversity?
  • if you propose a networking event, how will you ensure the participation of underrepresented communities? Will a land acknowledgment be delivered?
  • if your event is online, will you be using closed captioning and AODA-compliant digital materials?
  • if your event is in person, is the physical space arranged in a way that is accessible to those using mobility devices? Is the venue accessible?

Please take time to build these types of considerations into your proposal.

Ineligible Initiatives

The following types of initiatives are not eligible for the EDI Action Fund:

  • for-profit events or not-for-profit events that charge a mandatory admission fee
  • events that focus on the promotion of already existing student groups
  • research studies

Applicants are encouraged to connect with the OID at medicine.oid@utoronto.ca to discuss their proposals before applying.

Application period

Applications will be accepted starting May 1 on a rolling basis throughout the year. However, all projects need to be completed by April 1 of the following year, with receipts submitted for reimbursement to OID by April 15.

Application period Application review and approval
Rolling Within 1 month of submission

 

Process

  1. Complete the online Temerty Faculty of Medicine EDI Action Fund application form in full and submit. If you would like to consult with the OID about your idea before submitting, please email the OID at medicine.oid@utoronto.ca. It is advised that applicants thoroughly review the application form and Evaluation Rubric before drafting the application. This approach ensures a clear understanding of the requirements, enhancing the chances of creating a well-suited and successful application.
  2.  The OID Coordinator will review and score submitted applications for eligibility based on the Evaluation Rubric. Applicants may be contacted and asked for further details to support their application.
  3. Successful applications will be approved to receive funding up to $500 on a reimbursement basis.
  4. Applicants implement their approved initiative. Applicants may consult with the OID Coordinator after receiving approval for their proposal about how the OID may assist with the initiative (e.g. promotion, planning, booking space at MSB, etc.).
  5. Approved applicants must track and update progress and expenses for their initiatives.
  6. After the initiative is completed, applicants must submit all itemized receipts to medicine.oid@utoronto.ca and submit the final report form on their initiative's results, impact and key learnings in order to receive reimbursement. The final report and itemized receipts should be received within two weeks of the completion of the initiative.

Use of funds

Funds granted by the Temerty Faculty of Medicine EDI Action Fund may not be used for the following:

  • Purchase of alcoholic beverages
  • Payment/honoraria to Temerty Medicine learners, staff or faculty members
  • Attendance/registration fees for conferences, classes, or training