Project: Evidence that the proposal is bold and potentially game-changing (60%)
- The initiative is bold and potentially game-changing in terms of challenging the status quo and sparking change in the institution and/or the research ecosystem and academia more broadly.
- The initiative is informed by evidence and best practices in addressing inequities, and includes an intersectional approach that takes into account intersections and interdependencies of the different lived experiences of and barriers faced by individuals.
- The expertise and experience of the individual(s) involved in the proposal is appropriate.
- The initiative includes the participation/engagement of the communities it seeks to benefit and takes steps to mitigate potential unintended harm to these communities.
- The proposed budget is reasonable for the work proposed and includes student training.
- Faculty or institutional administrators who are eligible to hold grant funding through the tri-agencies are eligible to be nominated.
Leadership and commitment to equity (20%)
The nominee(s) demonstrate(s) a strong commitment to equity in the research/academic system or in their community more broadly. Examples of this can include:
- Service on administrative and recruitment committees, serving as an EDI champion
- Commitment to training (including informal training) and mentoring of students, trainees and emerging scholars from underrepresented groups
- Commitment to sharing EDI knowledge within the institution and/or the research ecosystem / academia or beyond the academic community (e.g., formal and informal presentations on equity-focused topics, organization of equity-focused conferences or panels, articles, op-eds, etc.)
- Published research on equity-focused topics
- Other examples, as applicable
Institutional nomination process and support for the initiative (20%)
- Evidence that the institution took measures to ensure that the internal nomination process was open and transparent (i.e., all potential nominees were considered), that it was free of conflict of interest, and that steps were taken to limit potential bias
- Evidence that the institution valued bold and potentially game-changing proposals with the potential to challenge the status quo and spark change in the institution and/or the research ecosystem and academia
- Evidence that the institution will work with the nominee(s) and support the proposed initiative, as needed, to help it meet its objectives of changing the status quo and sparking change