GRANT: Diversity in sport and physical activity

The Laboratory for Diversity in Sport from Texas A&M University is pleased to announce the 2013 Diversity in Sport and Physical Activity Grant. This year, two levels of grants are offered:

• Gradate Student: Funding in this area is reserved for graduate students (either MS or PhD) conducting diversity research in the area of sport and physical activity. One $1000 grant will be awarded. The grant recipient should complete the research while still enrolled in school.
• Faculty: Funding in this area is reserved for individuals with a terminal degree working at an institution of higher education. One $2,500 grant will be awarded.

Overview 
Diversity represents one of the most important issues in sport and physical activity today. Changing demographics, legal mandates, social pressures, varying workplace dynamics, and economic pressures have all increased the primacy of diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, although diversity can bring many benefits to sport organizations, there is also evidence that people who differ from the typical majority have poorer work experiences, face limited advancement opportunities, and have fewer chances to be physically active. The Diversity in Sport and Physical Activity Grant aims to address these areas. While we will review all proposals focusing on diversity and inclusion, we especially welcome proposals focusing on:

• Analysis of how organizations create and maintain diverse and inclusive work environments;
• Strategies to increase physical activity among members of under-represented groups; and
• Examination of the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, both within sport organizations and as sport participants

Guidelines
Researchers should complete the attached information sheet, complete a proposal for funding, and provide a detailed budget. Each proposal should be no more than three pages of singlespaced text (excluding references, tables, figures, and/or appendices). The proposalshould include (a) an introduction, (b) an overview of the theoretical framework adopted for the study, (c) the proposed methods, (d) the data analytic procedures, (e) the expected results, and (f) the implications of the research for the study of diversity in sport and physical activity. On a separate page from the written proposal, researchers should provide a detailed budget of how they plan to use the funds. Student proposals should also include a letter of support from the student’s advisor. Finally, all researchers should include a full CV with the proposal. Preference will be given to those studies focusing on the issues previously outlined.

Submission Information
 A PDF version of the full proposal should be submitted electronically to George Cunningham, gbcunningham@tamu.edu. The deadline for submission is Friday, September 13, 2013, and a decision is expected soon thereafter. Questions should be directed to gbcunningham@tamu.edu.

Additional Information 
If awarded the grant, researchers are required to: (a) list the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport as a sponsor of the research on subsequent presentations and publications, and (b) provide the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport with copies of published articles emanating from the grant.
Note that Texas A&M University System employees are not eligible for the award.

Past Award Recipients. To date, the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport has awarded 10 grants, including 9 grants to students across the US, and one faculty research team. Laboratory for Diversity in Sport Founded in 2003, the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport is housed within the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Texas A&M University. The Laboratory is dedicated to producing and disseminating research related to all forms of diversity within the sport context.
The purpose of the Laboratory is to examine and seek to understand how diversity impacts team and organization performance, individual affect, and people’s behaviors. Therefore, research from the Laboratory is aimed at investigating under-represented persons and groups, diverse dyads, heterogeneousteams, and individuals’ outcomes when surrounded by dissimilar others. Such research allows for a greater understanding of how diversity impacts individuals and teams, as well as the benefits of diversity.
 For more information concerning the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport, please see the Lab website: www.diversityinsport.com.