The Toolkit
A set of seven interventions to address equity challenges at the proposal development stage of research collaborations.
What is the EquiPD Toolkit?
The EquiPD Toolkit is a set of seven equity-enhancing interventions that include three practical tools to facilitate engagement (fillable forms) and four proposed (yet to be developed) interventions that combine awareness-building resources (video, infographic, case studies) and guided reflection (checklist). Together, they support teams to identify, discuss, and address equity challenges during proposal development.
Useful links:
This diagram maps seven interventions to three audience groups across two phases of proposal development — before and during — showing how each leads to a longer-term outcome, and how those outcomes together support one ultimate goal. Each intervention is also tagged with the type of change it's designed to facilitate: knowledge, attitude, or behaviour.
Research support professionals
Before proposal development:
- Intervention 1: Video – equity in research collaboration (Knowledge)
- Intervention 2: Infographic – inequity during proposal development (Knowledge)
- Intervention 3: Case studies – multiple-choice equity scenarios (Attitude)
During proposal development:
- Intervention 4: Checklist – function-specific points where inequity can occur (Behaviour)
- Intervention 6: Fillable form – expertise, resources and requirements (Behaviour)
Leads to Long-term outcome 1: increased agency of research support professionals to impact equity during proposal development.
Collaborative partners (institutional level)
Before proposal development, this group receives the same three interventions as above (1, 2 and 3). During proposal development, Intervention 6 (expertise, resources and requirements).
Leads to Long-term outcome 2: greater inclusion of collaborative partners' institutional and project requirements during proposal development.
Collaborative partners (project level)
During proposal development:
- Intervention 5: Fillable form – funding call and proposed project overview (Behaviour)
- Intervention 6: Fillable form – expertise, resources and requirements (Behaviour)
- Intervention 7: Fillable form – project roles and responsibilities (Behaviour)
Leads to Long-term outcome 3: more equitable allocation of roles and responsibilities among collaborative partners during proposal development.
Ultimate outcome
All three long-term outcomes converge on the ultimate outcome: equity is embedded in collaborative proposal development.
Closed
Funding Call & Proposed Project Overview
A fillable form to summarise areas of a funding call that may impact research equity (Section A: Lead Applicant) & raise equity concerns (Section B: Co‑Applicants)
Expertise, Resources & Requirements
A fillable form to capture what the Lead and Co-Applicants on a proposal can offer (expertise & available resources), what they need for meaningful participation, and any national or institutional policies, processes or timelines that might affect the proposal
Project Roles & Responsibilities
A fillable form to outline the proposed project roles and responsibilities of Lead and Co-Applicants on a research proposal
In Development
Intervention 1
Video – Equity in Research Collaboration
A short (or series of short) explainer video(s) that provides a high-level overview of equity in research collaboration, including fairness in partner roles, contributions, decision‑making, and distribution of benefits
In Development
Intervention 2
Infographic – Inequity During Proposal Development
An interactive infographic that visually presents proposal development as a pathway or road, highlighting key stages and decision points where inequity commonly arises, with links to further detailed illustrations of how inequity can become embedded in partnerships.
In Development
Intervention 3
Case Studies – Multiple-Choice Equity Scenarios
A series of case studies laid out as scenarios with multiple-choice answers, detailing engagements with research teams around equity issues in proposal development
In Development
Intervention 4
Checklist – Function-Specific Points Where Inequity Can Occur
A multi-part checklist of points at which inequity can arise during proposal development, broken down by research support functions (e.g. finance)
To see an example of the trio of Fillable Forms completed by a Lead Applicant and Co-Applicants, refer to the Hypothetical Case Study below.
Hypothetical Case Study:
Applying the EquiPD tools
Wondering how use of the EquiPD Fillable Forms can make a difference? Here is a hypothetical case study showing how the Forms can transform how equity challenges are identified and addressed during proposal development.
A hypothetical case study illustrating how the EquiPD Fillable Forms support early identification and resolution of equity challenges in collaborative proposals.