UMass Boston

The 2025/26 Transformative Equity Grant Program of the UMass Boston Restorative Justice Commission is now open for submissions. We invite proposals from campus members committed to addressing past and present harms within the UMass Boston community. This mechanism, the Transformative Equity Grant (TEG), supports initiatives that promote healing, accountability, capacity building, and the advancement of restorative justice principles on campus.

In the context of the Restorative Justice Commission (RJC) at UMass Boston, "harm" refers to any action, behavior, or systemic issue that causes physical, emotional, social, or cultural injury to individuals or groups within the university community. Harm can manifest in various ways, including:

1. Interpersonal Harm: Conflicts, bullying, discrimination, or micro-aggressions among students, faculty, or staff.
2. Institutional or Structural Harm: Inequitable policies, practices, or lack of access to resources that disproportionately impact specific groups based on race, gender, socioeconomic status, or identity. 
3. Community Harm is the breakdown of trust or relationships within or between different groups, creating a fragmented or hostile environment. 
4. Historical Harm: Ongoing impact of past injustices, such as exclusionary practices or unresolved grievances affecting community members.

Addressing harm through restorative justice involves acknowledging these injuries, providing opportunities for accountability, and creating pathways for healing, repair, and reconciliation.

Restorative Justice Commission Proposals are due by October 17, 2025. Awardees will be notified on or before October 31st. Disbursed awards must be used prior to the end of the 2025/26 fiscal year. This year, there will be two funding cycles, with the bulk of funding being distributed in the fall, while the spring funding cycle will focus on a limited number of proposals with a shorter implementation timeframe. NOTE: At the conclusion of the funded project all awardees must submit a summary report. 

The TEG Maximum Award is $15,000.