Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Enhancement Fund

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Enhancement Fund 2026 call for applications launched on Thursday 5th of March 2026, the deadline for applications is  12:00 (noon) on Thursday 28th of May 2026.

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 Thursday 28th of May 2026. 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

To date, the HEA has awarded funding of €1,021,071 under the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Enhancement Fund 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

  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Enhancement Fund 2025

    • Intersections of Inequality: Understanding and Addressing Workplace Vulnerability through a Multi-Dimensional EDI Lens – DCU, UCD, MIC
    • Higher Education Institutes Toolkit for Stalking Project – DkIT, MIC, TCD, University of Galway, TUS, TU Dublin
    • Strategic Inclusive Leadership: Empowering Senior Leaders in a Changing TU Sector (Lead Inc) – MTU, TUS, ATU, IADT, DKIT, SETU, TU Dublin
    • Embedding Gender and Intersectionality in Academic Health Research: A PROGRESS-Plus Informed, Co-Designed Framework for Capacity Building and Knowledge Translation in RCSI and Partner HEIs – RCSI, UCC, UL
    • Unity in Diversity: Campus Race Equity Changemakers Initiative – TU Dublin, TUS, University of Galway, DKIT, DCU, Carlow College, NCI
    • Advancing Intersectional Practice in Higher Education Staff Networks – TUS, MIC, SETU, IADT, DKIT, NCI, TU Dublin
    • ENGAGE Digital: Empowering New Generations, Advancing Gender Equality through Reverse Mentoring in Higher Education – UCC, UL, University of Galway, TUS, SETU
    • Gender Accessible & Equitable Learning in Introductory Chemistry – MENTORS (GAELIC MENTORS) – UCD, ATU, TCD

*lead applicants are indicated in bold.

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 3rd of May 2024.