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Graduate and Professional Student Senate

Diversity Funds

Diversity Funds are awarded by the GPSS Diversity Committee and are meant to supplement programs or events that are related to diversity efforts. Diversity includes, but is not limited to, consideration of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, disability, age, language, religion, and nationality. Funds should be used to benefit a cross-section of graduate and professional students.

The Diversity Fund application opens on November 1st, 2025 and closes on May 1st, 2026. Don’t miss your chance to apply!

Eligibility

Diversity Funds are reserved for a) Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and b) departments working on diversity at UW Seattle. Funding priorities go to events that:

  • are organized, lead, and attended mainly by graduate and professional students;
  • have a target audience mainly comprised of and to foster the culture of individuals from marginalized communities;
  • have a past record of good participation and attendance by graduate and professional students; or
  • are presumed to benefit graduate and professional students by advancing diversity effort on campus even if it does not fit any of the above criteria.

Application Process

The Diversity Committee will be accepting applications on a rolling basis from November 1st until further notice. Please allow up to 4 weeks for your application to be processed. To apply, please do the following:

  1. Fill out the 2025-25 Diversity Funds Form. 
  2. Create a budget (see example budget for guidance).
  3. Email the completed budget to gpssvpei@uw.edu. 

Diversity Committee will then review and vote on whether or not to approve the funding application. Diversity Committee meets every other Friday from 1:00-2:00pm.

The Diversity Funds Application also include detailed submission instructions. It is highly recommended you consult with your RSO Advisor if you plan on submitting an application.

Once again, see the 2025-26 application form.

If you have any questions or concerns — especially if you have any issues accessing the Microsoft Form — please email Pavandeep Josan, GPSS Vice President of Equity and Inclusion at gpssvpei@uw.edu.

Accessible Accordion

A maximum of $500 is available for a single event. The GPSS, in consultation with the University, has created several funding policies to govern the use of state funds:

  • Funding may not be allocated retroactively. No reimbursements may be made for costs incurred prior to the approval of funding.
  • Allocations approved by the GPSS Diversity Committee must be transferable to a University of Washington budget code.
  • The GPSS will only consider applications for funding from the Seattle campus.
  • Funds may not be used to:
    • support the instructional mission of the University, including the purchase of materials for program operations;
    • purchasing gifts, prizes, or making loans;
    • purchasing food or beverages;
    • purchasing event supplies;
    • subsidizing student travel;
    • lobbying to influence legislation or campaigning for a political candidate, initiative, or ballot measure;
    • making capital purchases;
    • funding off-campus events; or
    • paying guest speakers or performers.
  • The Diversity Committee reserves the right to ask recipients for information about their event after its completion.