Skip to main content Skip to secondary navigation

DIF: Diversity and Inclusion Innovation Funds

DIF

DIF is a program that supports Stanford graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in the development of a project that will advance diversity within those populations.
by Application
Eligibility: All Students, Postdoctoral Scholars
Period: Spring quarter
Duration: One year
Amount Awarded: Up to $5,000 ($2,000 for off-cycle awards)

About

Review the DIF Overview and Proposal Guidelines.

Diversity and Inclusion Innovation Funds (DIF) offers funding to support Stanford graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in the development of a project that will support graduate student diversity. The project must serve the academic interests of current Stanford students and/or postdoctoral scholars, and enhance the quality of their educational experiences. We invite students and postdoctoral scholars to develop proposals for up to a year’s worth of activities, with budgets up to $5,000 per year for the annual application, and up to $2,000 for the off-cycle application.

Stanford’s commitment to diversity is broadly conceived and includes, but is not limited to, first-gen status, culture, socioeconomic background, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disabilities, veteran status, tribal membership, religion, and life experience. A diverse community of scholars asks unexpected questions and contributes divergent insights, pushing the forefront of knowledge further and faster. As a result, the Stanford community reaps the educational benefits of diversity, while preparing future generations of leaders for a global society.

Proposals will be accepted from graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate student or postdoctoral scholar organizations in all degree programs in any of the seven schools.

Selection criteria include:

  1. Project Quality & Impact: Does the overall project support the diversity mission of Stanford University. This could include:
    • Support the academic success and interests of a diverse graduate student or postdoctoral scholar population
    • Enhance the quality of the educational experiences of a diverse graduate student or postdoctoral scholar population
    • Cultivate an interest in academic careers and aim to diversify the professoriate
    • Encourage undergraduate students from underserved or nontraditional backgrounds to consider PhD programs and a research career
    • Have academic or educational objectives
  2.  Leadership Team: Be directed by and largely involve currently enrolled Stanford graduate students or postdoctoral scholars. Is the leadership team energetic, committed, and representative of the project area?
  3. Application Quality: Is the application well written and concise?
  4. Budget: Is the budget reasonable and appropriate?

These additional project features will be considered, but not required:

  • University-wide impact, or the potential to be scaled up to have University-wide impact
  • Collaboration among several units (voluntary student or postdoctoral scholar organizations, community centers, degree programs)
  • Contributing funds from other sources
  • Advances other priorities of VPGE, such as:
    • Enhancing the educational experiences of students or postdoctoral scholars
    • Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration among students or postdoctoral scholars
    • Fostering student or postdoctoral scholar leadership and professional development
  • Support and/or contribute to the diversity of the graduate student or postdoctoral scholar population
  • Academic outreach programs coordinated by Stanford graduate students or postdoctoral scholars to local communities underrepresented in the academy

Funding will be awarded in compliance with the principles set forth in the Supreme Court’s June 2023 ruling on affirmative action.

Pilot Off-Cycle Funding Round

Since some students with shorter academic program lengths (e.g., Master's students) may not have the capability to plan a full academic year in advance for projects, we are piloting an off-cycle funding process to provide same-AY access to DIF funds for first time applicants. 

Off-Cycle Application opens: November 22nd, 2024 

Off-Cycle Application Deadline: January 6th, 2025. 

Award Notifications: Mid-January, 2025

Annual Application Cycle

Annual Application Opens: Spring Quarter (date is TBA for AY2024-25)

Annual Application Deadline: End of Spring Quarter (date is TBA for AY2024-25)

Award Notifications: TBA for AY2024-25

Related Events

No events at this time. Please check back later.

Off-Cycle application opens November 22nd (DIF is piloting an off-cycle funding period first-time applicants) 

The annual application for DIF 2024-25 is closed.

Contact vpgeapplications @stanford.edu with any questions.