Diversity Fund Travel Scholarship

(Award Amount: Up to $750)

The Diversity Fund is intended to support initiatives in the CDS that: (a) enhance awareness around diversity issues within the community development profession; (b) increase understanding of, and respect for, our differences as people and as professionals; and (c) promote learning different approaches to CD practice, research, and teaching, based upon the relevant internal and external dimensions of diversity.

Application Criteria

Eligibility & Key Activities:

Eligible persons include researchers, practitioners, teachers, and/or students from a minority serving university/college or organization/agency, or who are engaged in diversity and inclusion related initiatives (within the United States or internationally).

The applicant’s CDS presentation should seek to showcase research, engagement, and/or teaching activities undertaken in a racial, ethnic, cultural, developmental disability, geographic, and/or other diversity-relevant setting.  

CDS Membership Requirement: 

• Regular Member:
  • Applicant is a current member of the Community Development Society (or must  become a member of the CDS to receive the award).
  • Evidence of an invitation to take part in the 2025 CDS Annual Conference as a presenter (i.e., teaching, research, or practitioner presentation or workshop; panel member; poster session) and acceptance of the invitation. 
• Student Member:
  
  • Student is a current member of the Community Development Society (or must become a member of the CDS to receive the award).
  • Enrolled, in good standing, with an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited graduate degree granting college or university.
  • Evidence an of invitation to take part in the 2025 CDS Annual Conference as a presenter (i.e., teaching, research, or practitioner-related presentation or workshop; panel member; poster session) and acceptance of the invitation. 
  • A student applicant must submit a letter of endorsement from an appropriate faculty member who can verify the applicant’s status and plans for participation in the CDS conference.