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UCL staff can apply for funding to support activities that further gender equality.
UCL is committed to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected.
Funding is available via the UCL Gender Equality Steering Group (GESG) to promote and coordinate good practice in gender equality at UCL. As a group we do this by bringing together a broad range of perspectives through our membership. Our aim is to work with, and challenge, senior management and the whole institution to advance and deliver UCL’s gender equality priorities. We aim to improve the way we work at UCL, support chartering for Athena Swan, challenge anything that prevents gender equality, and share good practice.
Applications are welcome from any individual (Academic, Research, Teaching and Professional Services staff; full or part-time) or group within UCL that furthers the aims of achieving gender equality at UCL. Please email one of our Co-Chairs if you wish to discuss your idea(s):
The sum available to cover all activities in the academic year is £3,000: we recommend taking this into account in the sum requested.
Please read the guidance below then if you wish to apply, please complete the
and email it to Linda Lam.
The deadline for applications is Monday 10th February 2025.
Application Guidance
Who can apply?
We encourage applications from all Academic departments (including faculties), as well as from Professional Services areas that meet the requirements outlined below.
Applications should be completed using the pro-forma application form that is linked to above.
We welcome applications for activities which include students but a staff member will need to submit the application.
Application requirements
Applications must demonstrate how their planned activity will further gender equality initiatives at UCL, such as:
- Supporting GESG in achieving its aims and objectives (see the GESG webpage for further information, including the Terms of Reference)
- Supporting UCL in demonstrating its commitment to the UK Athena Swan Principles
- Enabling a department / Faculty to achieve commitments in their Athena Swan Action Plan
Funding is unlikely to be awarded for:
- Activities which would require recurrent funding in order to continue beyond the initial funding period.
- Activities that require more than £600; this is because we want to make sure that as many applicants as possible can benefit from this funding.
Other relevant factors that will be considered:
- Priority will be given to applications that have a visible, cross-institutional reach.
- The proposed activity has an intersectional application (i.e. with disability, race, sexual orientation, etc).
- Projects that address gender equality challenges in new ways.
- Activities / projects to ‘level up’ and ensure that good practice is celebrated and replicated across UCL.
As the Catalyst Fund is finite, applicants should use this fund to apply for innovative, impactful, and wide-reaching projects which would otherwise be unfeasible, as opposed to business as usual (i.e., training, or regular departmental activity).
What can the money be spent on?
The funding can be used to pay for any costs that relate to the proposed project, initiative, or activity.
Successful applicants will have their funds transferred to the department to administer by the central EDI Team. Funds must be spent by 31st July of the current academic year.
Who will decide which projects receive funding?
Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted against the application requirements detailed above by a group that contains at least 1 Co-Chair, and 2 representatives of GESG, together with members of the central EDI Team.
What is the evaluation process?
All applications must detail how the positive impact of the proposed activity will be measured, as well as any formal reporting mechanisms that will be in place. Each successful project lead will be required to produce a written report outlining how the funds were used and the impact of the funding within six months of the end of the project (500-750 words).
What happens after the project is completed?
Each successful project lead will be required to produce a written report outlining how the funds were used and the impact of the funding within six months of the end of the project (500-750 words). These may be shared more widely with UCL.