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UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative Fund

 

Thank you for your interest in the Strategic Initiative Fund. Funding has been allocated for the 2022/23 fiscal year and we recommend checking back in Summer 2023.

UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative Funds are granted to departments and units at UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses to support our commitment to the Okanagan Charter to become a health and wellbeing-promoting institution, as outlined in UBC's Wellbeing Strategic Framework. 

This year, $90,000 in funding has been allocated to advance work on six strategic priority areas: Food & Nutrition, Physical Activity, Social Connection, Built & Natural Environments, Mental Health & Resilience, and Collaborative Leadership.

Funding for 2022/23 has been allocated in two ways:

  1. Priority Area Committee-identified work (for Committee Chairs) - To support strategic initiatives led by Priority Area Committees and key partners to advance progress toward the 2025 Wellbeing Strategic Framework targets and milestones. All funds for 2022-23 have been allocated.
     
  2. Small grants (for non-Committee members) - Through small grants for staff- or faculty-led initiatives (or student-led projects with staff/faculty support) towards any of the six priority areas listed above, or other emerging areas of wellbeing focus. Up to $2,000 per request is available. Additional information about this application process is outlined below. All funds for 2022-23 have been allocated.

For last year's funding recipients and projects, please visit 2021/22 Strategic Initiatives Fund Summary Report 
 

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE FUND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

  • Must be a current UBC faculty or staff to apply. Student-led projects require a staff or faculty sponsor.
  • Initiatives must have a clear linkage to UBC's Wellbeing Strategic Framework targets.
  • Funding may not be used retroactively, or exclusively for the purchase of equipment.
  • Recipient must agree to report back on project outcomes and how the funds were used.

  • Up to $2,000 per request is available faculty/staff/student-led projects. Projects must take place and funds be used by March 31, 2023.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE FUND SELECTION CRITERIA

Preference will be given to proposals that:

FUNDING DECISIONS

  • Student/faculty/student-led project proposals will be reviewed for eligibility and alignment to priority areas by the Priority Area Committees and/or representatives from the Office of Wellbeing Strategy; VPHR Health Wellbeing & Benefits; VPS Health Promotion & Education; and UBCO Student Wellness.

  • Decisions will be made on an ongoing basis until funds are spent.

REPORTING

Funding must be used by March 31, 2023. In March/April 2023, applicants who have received funding will be asked to complete a brief report about project outcomes within 30 days.

QUESTIONS

If you are a department or unit with an idea that you feel is well suited to this fund, we are happy to chat with you about it, help make connections, and/or put you in touch with the appropriate committee chair/lead unit for that area. Please email your questions to mandy.macrae@ubc.ca.

APPLYING

Current funds for the 2022-23 fiscal year have been allocated. We encourage you to check back in Summer 2023 to apply for next year's funds. 

2021/22 Summary Report

For last year's funding recipients and projects, please visit 2021/22 Strategic Initiatives Fund Summary Report


Past Projects

Here are just a few UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative-funded projects from last year, supporting UBC's commitment to becoming a health and wellbeing promoting university. We look forward to seeing even more great projects this year!

Indigenous Rights, Reconciliation, and Climate Change with Kyle Whyte  

Project Lead: UBC-V Workplace Health, Wellbeing, and Benefits

During this engaging 40-minute webinar, Kyle Whyte, George Willis Pack Professor of Environmental Justice and Climate & Energy at the University of Michigan, discussed the importance of relationships and reciprocity in relation to Indigenous land rights and the impacts of climate change.

 BIPOC Students’ Stories of Food 

In this participatory workshop, IBPOC/BIPOC students from UBC, University of Guelph and University of Waterloo explored their ideas and experiences in relation to food and food (in)security through the creation of a digital story. 

Thrive Micro Grants

Project Lead: Student Health and Wellbeing and Workplace Health, Wellbeing and Benefits

Providing a de-centralized approach to promoting mental health literacy, the Thrive micro-grants enable and encourage UBC groups to host events and initiatives that are relevant to their setting. Up to $300 in funding is available to student groups, departments or units to host an event during November's Thrive month focusing on the Thrive 5: Moving More, Sleeping Soundly, Eating Well, Giving Back, Saying Hi. 

Climate Emergency Week

Project Lead: UBC Sustainability Initiative

Marking the 1-year anniversary of the Board of Governor’s endorsement of the Climate Emergency Task Force Report, a week of events was held to celebrate and reaffirm UBC’s commitment to advancing climate justice. UBC students, faculty, staff and community members were invited to participate in various offerings, including dialogues, partner events and more, aiming to centre student engagement and prioritize IBPOC students and those most impacted by the climate crisis.

Move UBC Micro Grants

Project Lead: UBC Athletics & Recreation

Move UBC provided student groups, departments or units the opportunity to host an event with up to $300 in funding support to help promote physical activity during February's Move UBC month.


Other funding opportunities

Looking for other UBC funding opportunities for your project or initiative? Visit the links below.

 

We all have a hand in shaping campus environments that support health, wellbeing, and sustainability. By championing wellbeing, we can build stronger and more inclusive communities at UBC and beyond.