EDI Funds
The department is committed to empowering its members with a range of EDI-specific initiatives to ensure best practice. The EDI Conference and Events Fund and the Carers' Conference Fund are in place to financially support members with professional and personal development opportunities. Details of these can be found below:
1. EDI Events and Conference Fund - Guidelines
The EDI Events and Conference Fund is designed to support students and staff in accessing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)-related opportunities that contribute to personal growth, professional development, and enhanced understanding of EDI principles across the STEM community.
Please note: The maximum amount available per application is £500. Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously accessed this fund.
Purpose of the Fund
The fund aims to:
- Enable participation in EDI-focused events, conferences, workshops, and training sessions.
- Support staff and students in their learning and development around EDI themes.
- Promote networking and knowledge sharing within the wider EDI community.
- Strengthen institutional awareness and engagement with current EDI issues, practices, and research.
Eligible Activities
The fund aims to:
- Enable participation in EDI-focused events, conferences, workshops, and training sessions.
- Support staff and students in their learning and development around EDI themes.
- Promote networking and knowledge sharing within the wider EDI community.
- Strengthen institutional awareness and engagement with current EDI issues, practices, and research.
Eligible Costs
The fund may be used to reimburse or cover:
- Travel costs (e.g., train, bus, mileage) to and from the event.
- Event registration or ticket fees.
- Accommodation costs where required for attendance.
- Reasonable accessibility-related expenses, such as support worker costs or specialist transport.
All costs must be supported by receipts.
Ineligible Costs
The fund cannot be used for:
- Costs unrelated to the EDI event (e.g., personal travel, tourist activities).
- Membership fees not directly tied to event attendance.
- Expenses without proof of payment.
Application Process
- Complete the EDI Fund Application Form outlining the purpose of the event, its relevance to your personal or professional development, and a breakdown of projected costs.
- Submit your form at least four weeks prior to the event.
- Decisions will be communicated via email.
Reimbursement Process
- Following attendance, submit your claim with receipts to the Finance office. Reimbursements will be processed through the usual finance procedures.
2. Carers' Conference Fund - Guidelines
The Carers' Conference Fund is available to support the additional costs of care for staff and graduate students attending conferences or other work-related training. Applications will also be considered from non-members of the department to support such costs that would facilitate attendance at an activity/event organised from within the department - e.g. for those visiting us to speak at a seminar or conference. More information can be found here.
- The fund applies to everyone who attends conferences for 'work-related training': all faculty (including statutory professors), PDRAs, DPhil students and support staff. Applications from students must have the support of their supervisor.
- There are three deadlines for applying for the fund, per academic year. Please make sure you are planning ahead of each term starting. The deadlines are as follows:
- Week 2 of Hilary term
- Week 2 of Trinity Term
- Week 3 of Michaelmas Term
- Applications must be made to Joanna Walker, Deputy Head of Administration and Finance (by email joanna.walker@maths.ox.ac.uk), highlighting the Conference/Event details and the purpose(s) of requesting funding (for example, £80 for babysitter's fee).
- Once an application has been approved reimbursement claims, supported with receipts, should be made to the Finance Office.
Contact
For questions, support with choosing events, or help with completing the application, please contact the EDI Officer at: @email.