EDI Awards Program

The following three awards are available to support multiple student-led projects/initiatives. There is a single application form and project proposals will automatically be considered for all three awards.

The WSP Equity and Diversity Award recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student or student group who demonstrates a commitment toward building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive McGill Faculty of Engineering community through on- and off-campus social and leadership engagements.

The Rio Tinto Women in Engineering Leadership Award recognizes the contribution and commitment of an undergraduate or graduate student or student group toward equity, diversity, and inclusivity. Preference will be given to efforts led by or advocating for students of underrepresented genders in the Faculty of Engineering.

The Preston Phipps Equity and Diversity Award recognizes the contribution and commitment of an undergraduate or graduate student or student group who supports the principles of E-IDEA toward building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive McGill Faculty of Engineering community at any stage of the student lifecycle.

Individual applicants: Applicants must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students in the Faculty of Engineering. 

Group applicants: Group membership must include at least one full-time undergraduate or graduate student in the Faculty of Engineering and the proposed project must demonstrate a clear impact on the McGill Faculty of Engineering community.

Applicants are asked to provide the name of a McGill Faculty of Engineering professor or staff member who agrees to act as a Project Advisor for the duration of the proposed project. Students seeking help finding a Project Advisor are welcome to contact eidea [at] mcgill.ca.

Application Criteria

Project proposals must reflect a commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusivity within, and potentially beyond, the McGill Faculty of Engineering community. Elements sought may include, but are not limited to:

• Advancing anti-racism and EDI education, especially in the context of Engineering, Architecture, and Urban Planning practices
• Fostering inclusive teaching, learning, and research environments
• Promoting inclusive leadership and interpersonal skills development among students
• Advocacy and support for underrepresented groups in the Faculty of Engineering
• Outreach to historically marginalized and underrepresented groups in STEM
• Increasing the diversity of role models in the Faculty of Engineering
• Collaborations that engage different student groups or teams within and outside the Faculty of Engineering
• To be considered for the Rio Tinto Women in Engineering Leadership Award, applications must clearly reflect the leadership of and/or impact on students of underrepresented genders in the Faculty of Engineering

Funds may be used toward regular operating costs, e.g., materials and supplies, room bookings, local transit to/from event venues.

Funds may NOT be used toward student wages or changes to physical infrastructure. Questions about appropriate use of funds may be directed to Dr. Nia Fernandez (E-IDEA Manager) at eidea [at] mcgill.ca.

Application Procedure

Funding applications are to be submitted online (link below) and will include the following sections:

1. Basic Information

   • Applicant category (individual student / student group)
   • Applicant name(s) and McGill ID number(s)
   • Primary contact name and email address
   • Project Advisor name, position, and email address

2. Project Summary

   • Project Title
   • Project Summary (max. 300 words). Summarize the rationale, objectives, activities, and anticipated outcomes of the proposed project

3. Detailed Project Proposal (to be uploaded as a single PDF file, max. 5 pages)

   • Detailed description of planned activities. Include any relevant collaborations, resources, or other factors supporting project feasibility. This description should reflect the project's relevance to E-IDEA's mission and the application criteria
   • Project timeline
   • Budget. Include the total requested budget and a breakdown of the anticipated expenses.

A selection committee composed of Faculty of Engineering faculty and staff will be assembled by the E-IDEA Manager and the Associate Dean (Faculty Affairs). 

At the end of the reference period, award recipients will be asked to submit a final report describing their use of funds, as well as the progress, challenges, outcomes, and impact of the project. Award recipients will be contacted with more information.