New at the OU: the D&I Award – for students and employees

That's why we're proud to introduce the Open University D&I Award.

What is the D&I Award?

The D&I Award was created to reward and highlight inspiring activities and initiatives related to diversity and inclusion within the Open University. Because good work deserves to be seen - especially when it concerns a topic that not everyone is immediately enthusiastic about.

Whether you're conducting research that touches on D&I themes, making teaching materials more inclusive, organizing inclusive student projects, or working to create a pleasant, open work environment: your efforts matter.

Why this award?

Diversity and inclusion are integral to the Open University's strategic objectives. They are pillars of a forward-looking, human university. The D&I Award aims to:

Provide inspiration by sharing best practices.
Recognize people who are committed to an inclusive OU.
Give new initiatives a boost.

The winner will receive €2,000 to further develop their project or realize new ideas.

Who can participate?

Anyone within the OU: students, lecturers, staff, or teams. Consider, for example:

1. Research – New insights or practical applications related to D&I
2. Work environment and policy – Ideas that contribute to an inclusive workplace culture
3. Education – Teaching materials or courses that incorporate D&I in an innovative way
4. Student projects – Activities that contribute to an inclusive student experience.

How is the winner chosen?

An independent jury – consisting of members of the D&I expert team, representatives from the D&I Office, and a dean – will assess the submissions based on four criteria.

Impact: the extent to which the project contributes to the D&I objectives within the OU
Innovation: creativity and originality in addressing D&I challenges
Reproducibility: the extent to which the project can be applied within or outside the OU
Sustainability: the long-term impact and/or feasibility of the initiative.

Mark this in your calendar

Nominations: can be submitted until February 1, 2026
Award ceremony: March 3, 2026, during the opening of Diversity Week 2026

The winner, along with the project results, will be widely shared in the OU's internal and external communication channels.

Show what you're doing for an inclusive OU!

In short: Do you (or your team) have an initiative that contributes to an inclusive university? Seize this opportunity to gain recognition and inspire others. You can submit your own project, or someone else's initiative that you think deserves an award.

Nomination submission

Together, we'll make the OU not only smarter, but also more inclusive.

Do you have any questions or ideas? Contact the Diversity Office.