Faculty Forward Initiative

UCLA is proud to announce the Faculty Forward Initiative (FFI) — a campuswide effort focusing on the recruitment and retention of faculty committed to scholarship, research, mentorship and education related to those who have traditionally been underrepresented in academia.

Mission

The Faculty Forward Initiative is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia by supporting the recruitment, retention, and advancement of faculty members from underrepresented communities. Our mission is to create an environment where all faculty members can thrive in their careers and contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

Vision

We envision a future where all faculty members have equal access to academic resources and opportunities for professional growth. By removing systematic barriers faced by faculty members from marginalized communities, we aim to create a more diverse and inclusive academic community that reflects the richness of human experience.

The Bruin Faculty Writing Retreat

This summer the Faculty Forward Initiative sponsored the inaugural Bruin Faculty Writing Retreat in the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. This four-day event, during July 2024, provided our Professors quiet writing time to focus on their scholarly work. Attendees also had an opportunity to network with faculty across campus and hear from expert guest speakers who led conversations about writing-related topics and the UCLA promotional process.

Inclusive Excellence Project Funding Opportunity

Proposals are now being accepted for the Inclusive Excellence Project Funding Opportunity. Sponsored by the Faculty Forward Initiative, the EDI Office is offering funding to support current or previously planned unit-level initiatives (e.g., within a particular department, division, or school). Proposals must reflect initiatives designed to: 1) advance faculty diversity in alignment with UCLA’s EDI mission and UCLA Strategic Plan 2023-2028 goals and 2) improve the culture and climate at UCLA. The deadline to apply is January 30, 2025.

Please find the relevant links below:

– Inclusive Excellence Project Funding Opportunity Eligibility Criteria, Submission Requirements, and Proposal Submission Instructions

– Inclusive Excellence Project Funding Opportunity FAQs

– Proposal Submission Online Portal

– Titles of current funded projects can be found on the Current Funded (2024-25) Projects webpage

Announcing the Faculty Forward Initiative

April 5, 2023

Chancellor Block and EVCP Hunt sent the following message to the UCLA Bruin Community, announcing the Faculty Forward Initiative.

3 diverse people in an office writing notes on a glass window

Funding Opportunities for Faculty

The Faculty Forward Initiative is proud to provide funding opportunities for faculty recruitment and retention.

Please click the above link to access the application and submission instructions.

a large, diverse group of coworkers studying materials over a shared table with papers, books, and laptops

Additional Resources

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Creative Activities (ORCA) is sponsoring a series of events related to finding and securing funding for research. Advance registration is required for all events. For questions, event details, and registration, please click the above link.