Inclusive University
The Inclusive University funding program of the state of NRW and the University of Bonn is geared toward developing measures that create equal opportunity for students with disabilities and/or a chronic condition so that they can complete their degree program successfully. To take the individual needs of students into account just as much as the specific study conditions and situations in the various faculties and organizational units, there are four different grant programs offering funding, which has to be applied for via Confluence.
Grant programs
Grant program 1: project funding
Faculties, departments, teachers and students (in consultation with their teachers) can apply for funding for projects that support students with a disability and/or a chronic condition. The funds are ring-fenced for the specific project being applied for and can be awarded for special equipment, extra staff, training courses, awareness-raising activities or similar. Project funding is available up to a maximum limit of €30,000, which can be increased in exceptional cases if there is good reason. Please indicate and justify the duration of your planned measures (the standard terms are 12, 18 or 24 months); projects can also be extended if necessary. The Vice Rector for Teaching, Learning and University Development together with the Vice Rector for Equal Opportunity and Diversity will decide on where to allocate the funding based on several criteria: increasing opportunities for participation; how relevant and urgently needed the measures are; their sustainability and transferability; and the degree of innovation that the projects demonstrate.
Grant program 2: recruiting support assistants
The first steps that any student takes at university bring numerous challenges. For students who also encounter barriers while studying due to a disability, these early days—or even their entire degree program—can place an extraordinary strain on them. Personalized support and advice from support assistants can help students to focus on their degree program from day one and play an active part in student life. Their job is to help students with a disability through the first two semesters in particular, taking their individual situations into account, and thus make it easier for them to cope with everyday life at the University. Faculties can obtain funding for recruiting support assistants for up to six hours a week if needed. They can provide their support and advice either online or in person.
Grant program 3: setting up workspaces in faculty libraries
Students with a disability that makes studying more difficult need accessible spaces in which to work and technical aids to help them do so. Whereas they can set up their study space at home entirely to suit their needs, at university they are reliant on whatever equipment they find there, which often does not meet the requirements that this particular target group has of an appropriate space to work in. Faculty libraries can apply for funding to set up workspaces. Besides height-adjustable furniture, this also covers the purchase of special resources (equipment and software licenses) in particular.
Grant program 4: setting up combined quiet and refuge rooms
Depending on their requirements, the faculties can apply for funds to set up combined quiet and refuge rooms, which are needed in particular by students living with autism spectrum disorders, ADD/ADHD or chronic pain. Students also appreciate more peace and quiet and less disruption in the run-up to their examinations. These rooms should be equipped with chairs and places to lie down while also offering an accessible space to work in. Funds are available for both creating new quiet and refuge rooms and expanding or upgrading existing ones.
Deadlines
You can submit projects for consideration in grant program 1 by the following deadlines:
- March 30
- June 30
- August 31
- November 30, 2024
Applications for grant programs 2 to 4 can be made at any time.
Applying
Please submit your application using the form that you will find on the “Inklusive Hochschule” (“Inclusive University”) page on Confluence (german).
Contact
Contacts
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Anna Karin and Marie Ullenboom at inklusive-hochschule@uni-bonn.de.
See also
Diversity for students
You can find out about all the diversity services that the University of Bonn offers students here.
Studying with a disability
Marion Becker, the Representative for Students with Disabilities or Chronic Illnesses, is happy to help you answer any questions you might have on studying with a disability.
Representative for severely disabled employees
Staff at the University of Bonn who have a severe disability are welcome to contact Judith Ebach.