Diversity Festival 2026

As the organiser of Diversity Festival, we provide the following to event organisers:

• Venue spaces (see Event venues tab below)
• Accessibility provisions to ensure events are inclusive and accessible (AUSLAN etc.)
• Grants of up to $2500 (see Grants and funding tab below)
• Promotion of all events as part of the overall festival program
• A briefing session, festival toolkit and weekly drop-in sessions for event organisers to help develop ideas and support the smooth delivery of the event.

We’re seeking proposals that spark conversation, celebrate diversity, and build a strong sense of belonging across the UNSW community.

Ideas for topics include but are not limited to:

• Belonging and inclusion
• Age diversity
• Allyship
• Cultural, linguistic and religious diversity
• Disability inclusion
• Indigenous knowledges and perspectives
• Diverse sexualities, sexes and genders
• Gender equity
• Student equity
• Mental health, wellbeing and neurodivergence
• Widening participation
• Societal impact.

Ideas for event formats include but are not limited to:

• Exhibition
• Training session
• Film screening
• Art exhibition
• Live music, performance and/or storytelling
• Online event
• Keynote speaker/s
• Panel discussion
• Physical activity
• Social gathering
• Networking
• Masterclass
• Ethical market stalls or pop up
• Webinar
• Workshop / demonstration
• Other.

To help make Diversity Festival the best it can be, venue space is provided and grants of up to $2500 per event are on offer to UNSW students and staff.

The grant can help cover:

• Payments to external speakers / facilitators / contractors
• Materials required for the event or activity
• Design of promotional material
• Venue hire (if not using the main venue already booked and funded by us - more details in the Event venues tab below)
• Payments for catering may be available, depending on event details.

If you don’t require funding but have a great idea, you should still submit an application to be part of the program.

Diversity Festival will be based at the John Niland Scientia Building on Kensington campus and a number of rooms are available to event organisers at no additional cost.

These spaces can hold events that vary in size and format. When submitting an event idea, please specify your target audience and any audio-visual requirements (presenting screen, hybrid event capabilities etc) so that we can find the right space for your event.

Alternative venues may be used but must be arranged and paid for by the organisers.

When you apply, please nominate your preferred day and time for the event.

If your application is successful, we may ask you to revise your timing to avoid clashes with other events during the week or to ensure the most suitable venue is available.

If your application to be part of Diversity Festival 2026 is successful, we will invite you to a briefing session and check in with you at regular intervals to see how your planning is progressing and support you as best we can.

We will advertise all approved events as part of the overall festival program. Successful applicants will be expected to organise all other event elements, including:

• Booking venues / spaces other than those booked by us
• Define your event requirements (e.g. room set up, AV)
• Placing orders for all services required
• Setting up a registration page and managing ticketing (we will provide accessibility guidelines)
• Promoting the event through your networks
• Liaising with all event participants and attendees leading up to and on the event day
• Managing finances and all aspects of payments for the event and speakers
• Providing registration and attendee data for feedback surveys
• Complying with the grant timeline and deadlines (detailed in the next tab below)
• All UNSW students and staff must comply with the UNSW Code of Conduct.

Monday 11 May | Applications open

Tuesday 9 June | Applications close

15 -26 June | All applicants are advised of outcomes by email

1 July | Briefing session for all event organisers

July - September | Weekly drop-in sessions for ongoing help and support

Monday 3 August | Event details locked and deadline to provide the following for inclusion in the Diversity Festival program:

• Promotional image
• One paragraph summary of the event
• Link to the registration page

Mid August | Meetings and deadline to finalise event logistics (if using an ST&E-venue booked by us)

21 - 25 September | Diversity Festival 2026

28 September | Deadline to provide registration and attendee data for the feedback survey

During October | Debrief on events and acquittal of all related costs.

Please email EDIComms@unsw.edu.au. We are happy to answer any questions on Diversity Festival and the grant application process.