Faculty and Residents are invited to submit proposals for up to $5000 in funding for Inclusive Excellence-related activities that adds value to Inclusive Excellence in the Department. That is, in addition to the sectors of Inclusive Excellence listed below, the aim of this RFA is to bring Inclusive Excellence information/activities to the whole Department.

     1) Promote an inclusive environment and climate for all to
         thrive
     2) Reduce health disparities
     3) Focus on equitable access for our patient population and a
         climate/environment that ensures equitable outcomes for
         patients
     4) Engage the community in our work and meet the needs of
         our community members, in particular those who are most
         vulnerable
     5) Provide educational opportunities that promote social
         justice, health equity, health disparities, social determinants
         of health and are presented by a diverse set of
         leaders/scholars
     6) Review structural ways that Inclusive Excellence is created
         and intentionally practiced in our policies, programs,
         practices, or procedures

Eligible activities that bring added value to the Department of Surgery may include but not limited to special projects, conference travel, professional training, honorarium/travel for special speakers, and creation/promotion of new Inclusive Excellence programs. Examples: Payment/Travel for a Special Speaker to provide a Inclusive Excellence related presentation; Registration Fees/Travel for a Inclusive Excellence themed conference or training; Expenses for a special project that explores climate, policies, or procedures in the Division to enhance Inclusive Excellence. Funding for ongoing projects/activities/program may also be requested if there is an additional component related to Inclusive Excellence that can be tied to a benefit for the Department (e.g. co-funding for an annual event the engages members of our Department of Surgery in Inclusive Excellence related themes such as health disparities, equity and/or special Inclusive Excellence workshop; co-funding for a trainee visit where they are engaged in an Inclusive Excellence related project and present an Inclusive Excellence related topic to the Division at the end of the program). Faculty salary or tuition leading to a professional degree cannot be included in the project/activity budget plan.

Applications will be accepted, evaluated by a Departmental faculty committee, and awarded as funds are available. Early career faculty, fellows and residents within the Department of Surgery are encouraged to apply. Partnerships across divisions will also be considered. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and awards are granted as funds are available. For any questions, please contact Dr. Juan Carlos Jimenez, Vice Chair for Inclusive Excellence: jcjimenez@mednet.ucla.edu.

The Project Management team will work with the Inclusive Excellence Committee Lead and the Department Chair for approval and signatures at the end of the survey, when you get to page 2 of the survey just click the forward arrow.

Of note, a post activity report (1-2 paragraphs) is also required within 30 days of completing the project/activity that includes a summary of information learned, benefit to the Inclusive Excellence Surgery initiatives, how information was shared with Inclusive Excellence Surgery, and future plans.