The call for applications under the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Enhancement Fund 2025 launched on the 6^th of March 2025. The deadline for applications is  12:00 (noon) on the 30^th of May 2025.

Further information can be found in the Call for Applications.

Applications must be made through the Application Template and must be submitted to EDI@hea.ie by 12:00 (noon) on the 30^th of May 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applications can be submitted across four Priority Areas:

• Advancing Gender Equality;
• Advancing Race Equality;
• Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment; and
• Advancing awareness and understanding of intersectionality and multidimensional approaches to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Eligible higher education institutions under this initiative are those listed in Appendix 1 of the Call for Applications.

Funding Awarded to date

The HEA awarded funding of €498,542 under the inaugural call of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Enhancement Fund 2024 to support equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives in Irish higher education institutions across four priority areas, Advancing gender equality in higher education; Ending sexual violence and harassment in higher education; Advancing race equality in higher education; and Advancing awareness and understanding of intersectionality and multi-dimensional approaches to equality, diversity and inclusion.

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Enhancement Fund 2024

  • HEIs as Places for People: Inclusive Infrastructures to Support Intersectionality in HEIs – TCD, University of Galway, TU Dublin, and RCSI
  • EDI Learning Blocks-Developing a Micro Credential in EDI for a University Work Force – UCC, University of Galway and UL
  • Mobilising Men as Leaders in Gender Violence Prevention in Higher Education in Ireland – ATU, TU Shannon, University of Galway, TU Dublin, MIC, MTU, SETU, IADT, and DKIT
  • Talk EDI to Me: Promoting Engagement in Affirming Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Conversations among Higher Education Staff – UCD, NCI, MU, and DKIT
  • Implementing Gender-Informed Workload allocation models to Support Women in Academia – RCSI, UL, and UCC
  • A Cross-Institute Initiative to Enhance Gender Equality in Teaching and Research in Sports Related Disciplines – TU Shannon, ATU, and University of Galway
  • Embedding Race Equality Training in Higher Education (EMBRACED) – UL, MIC, TCD, and University of Galway

Background

From 2020 to 2023, the Centre ran the Gender Equality Enhancement Fund to encourage innovative approaches to addressing gender inequality across HEIs; to facilitate gender equality initiatives that respond to the recommendations of the HEA National Reviews of Gender Equality in Irish Higher Education Institutions (2016 and 2022) and/or Gender Equality Taskforce’s recommended actions and to encourage cross-sectoral collaboration as a means to achieve national transformation.

In 2024, this fund was expanded to address the wider policy areas that the HEA and HEIs are addressing in work to advance equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education. The HEA’s Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) launched the inaugural funding under the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Enhancement Fund on the 3^rd of May 2024.

*Lead applicant noted in bold text.