IDEAL Request for Proposals
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-racism at Lombardi
Proposals Due: June 6, 2022
Funding Period: July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023
We are pleased to announce a request for proposals focused on inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism through Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism at Lombardi) Grants aim to contribute to a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging through strategies that promote advocacy, diversity, anti-racism, collaboration and/or equity.
 
Proposals are due by 11:59 PM EST on Monday June 6, 2022. Award notifications will be made end of June / early July 2022 and funding will be awarded for use July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. Funds cannot be carried forward after June 30, 2023. Mid-point brief progress reports are due January 30, 2023; final reports due June 30, 2023. 
 
IDEAL Awards (12 month awards up to $10,000) are available to all Lombardi members (any track, any rank). We anticipate funding 4-5 awards. Proposals must describe activities that promote diversity, equity, inclusion and/or anti-racism in any aspect relevant to the mission of Lombardi, including research, teaching, service, clinical care and community outreach and education. Proposals aligned with the National Cancer Institute’s Goals for Inclusion and Equity are welcome. Examples of topics appropriate for IDEAL Awards include but are not limited to:

  • training for mentors and/or research teams on creating an environment of inclusive excellence;
  • summer or fall semester stipends for students, trainees or postdoctoral fellows from backgrounds underrepresented in science;
  • supplements to existing research to examine topics related to inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism;
  • leadership training for emerging faculty leaders from backgrounds underrepresented in science;
  • formal review or expansion of curriculum to reflect inclusive pedagogy best practices (see examples of toolkits and strategies from CNDLS and GUMC);
  • evidence-based strategies to enhance inclusion and sense of belonging among faculty, staff and/or trainees. 
 
Funds can be used to cover expenses related to proposal activities. Examples of allowable spending categories include student stipends, research assistant effort, books, external speakers, external experts or consultants, publication / printing costs, food (per University policies), training expenses. Proposals that include activities across the LCCC/JTCC consortium or across Lombardi scientific programs are encouraged. Proposals will be reviewed based on the following considerations:
 
  1. Project team includes at least one faculty or staff member with a demonstrated commitment to DEI efforts (e.g., member of the RJCC, member of the Faculty Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee, BRIC Coach, prior involvement in research that fosters inclusion of underrepresented communities, gender equity efforts, or other relevant training or experiences external to Georgetown/Lombardi/Hackensack).
  2. Timeline and planned activities align with IDEAL Grant priorities and can be completed before June 30, 2023. 
  3. Outcomes are clear and measurable
  4. Description of how the IDEAL award activities can be sustained at LCCC in the future. Although future implementation efforts do not need to be included in the proposal timeline and budget, plans for how to sustain change should be described. 
Application Procedure (Deadline: Monday, June 6, 2022 at 11:59 PM EST)
 
Format Specifications
 
  • Arial font and no smaller than 11 point; margins at least 0.5 inches (sides, top and bottom)
  • Single-spaced lines; Consecutively numbered pages
  • Submit as a single word or pdf document to Kristi.Graves@georgetown.edu with “IDEAL Proposal” in the subject line
  • Title Page: Project Title, List of Team Member’s Names, Departments & Institutions
 
Application Components (4 pages – does not include title page or budget)
 
  • Objectives/Aims: ~1 page with up to 3 clearly stated objectives / aims
  • Brief Project Background: ~0.25 to 0.5 page describing the problem to be addressed
  • Project Activities: ~1 page; description of how proposed activities will promote inclusion, diversity, equity or anti-racism
  • Project Outcomes: ~0.5 page; description of how outcomes will be assessed (how will you know if the proposal objectives are achieved?)
  • Project Timeline: ~0.5 page
  • Project Team: ~0.5 page; brief description of the team and indication of the team’s experience with diversity, equity and inclusion activities, as applicable
  • General Budget: (not in page limit) The budget must indicate how the funds will be used. The description can include broad categories with anticipated spending ranges; total allowable up to $10,000.
 
Review Criteria and Process
 
Proposals will be reviewed based on alignment of objectives with intent of IDEAL grants, as follows:

  • Activities to promote a culture of inclusive excellence
  • Clear strategies/plans for implementation
  • Appropriate timeline for planned activities
  • Clear outcomes
  • Inclusion of at least one individual on the team with experience in DEI
  • Inclusion of Lombardi members across the LCCC-JTCC Consortium
  • Inclusion of Lombardi members across scientific programs
 
All proposals will be assigned a primary and secondary reviewer. Reviewers will have experience working in DEI. The review committee will be Chaired by the Interim Associate Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (Kristi Graves, PhD). Individuals who may have a conflict of interest (e.g. an application under consideration) may serve on the committee but will be recused during discussion of his/her/their grant and cannot vote on that specific application.

  • The primary and secondary reviewers will independently score proposals.
  • The review committee will meet to discuss all proposals.
  • All committee members will score each proposal after discussion.
 
Submit proposals by email to Kristi.Graves@georgetown.edu; use “IDEAL Proposal” in the subject line. The review will occur in June 2022; notifications are expected in late June / early July 2022. Questions and requests for additional information should be directed to Kristi Graves, PhD with the subject line "IDEAL Proposal question" at Kristi.Graves@georgetown.edu.