IGCAN Directory
login/create account
Donate
Home > Advocacy For Patients > Grant & Awards > EDI Fund
The Dicey Scroggins Fund for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Gynecologic Cancer Patient Outreach
Dicey Scroggins, an ovarian cancer survivor and well-known patient advocate in the gynecologic cancer community is revered and celebrated for her devotion to the concepts of global health equity and bridging the gap between clinical care and patient experience.
She was also the founder of IGCS’ global patient advocacy network (IGCAN). To carry on Dicey’s work, honor her legacy, and reinforce IGCS’ commitment to global heath equity, we have established this fund in her name to reward and support those who share this vision and are actively working to achieve it.
Outreach programs and research that support equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) often require small, local, and hands-on solutions to be effective. We want to continue to build up, recognize, and support IGCS members and IGCANetwork partners in their work through opportunities such as this fund.
We are delighted to announce that we are now accepting grant submissions for the
Dicey Scroggins Fund for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Gynecologic Cancer Patient Outreach through October 5, 2025.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are three closely linked values held by the IGCS and IGCANetwork. We uphold these values through our programming, collaborations, and communications aimed to include, listen to, and support different groups of individuals, including people of different races, ethnicities, socio-economic positions, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations.
While low resource countries bear the largest cancer burdens, inequities in health and cancer care exist among different population groups within all nations, regardless of a country’s status as low-, middle- or high-income. There are a variety of systemic reasons why individuals with lower socio-economic positions have higher risks for poor health.
Equity
The fair distribution of resources, opportunities, and benefits, aiming to reduce and eliminate health disparities among different population groups. It involves identifying and addressing systemic barriers and structural inequalities that contribute to health inequities.
Diversity
The inclusion of individuals from different backgrounds and experiences, fostering a range of perspectives and ideas to inform decision-making and problem-solving in global health initiatives
Inclusion
to commit to ensure those of diversity feel welcome and included, to foster a sense of belonging and integration
Grant Eligibility
Eligible candidates are currently conducting (or planning) projects that embrace diversity, seek equitable solutions, and/or strive for inclusion of disparate groups affected by gynecological cancers. This may include field work, programming, research and/or opportunities for patient and/or community outreach to improve quality of life and/or access to care or support. The scope of the project may be large (international initiatives), small (community-based), or anywhere in between.
Demonstrating our values of diversity and inclusion in this grant selection process, the description of eligible projects has purposely been left open to interpretation. We encourage the submission of a variety of project requests benefiting patients directly or indirectly.
Grant Budget and Selection Process
Grants will be awarded through this funding mechanism annually. The selection committee may decide to award the full amount available in that year to one project or to divide the fund among multiple recipients. Decisions regarding the allocation of the funds will be made at the discretion of the review and selection committee.
Applications will be reviewed and scored by select members of the IGCS Advocacy Committee (the selection committee). During October, applicants may be selected to participate in an interview before the selection committee’s final decision. Additional information regarding the funding needs and project budgets of the applicants may be requested by the selection committee after the initial application review. Barring any unresolved issues with applications, grantees will be notified of their status late-November.
How to Apply
Grant submissions are being collected through the IGCS application portal. If you have used the IGCS application portal this past year, you may already have an account. Applicants may login to the portal or create a new account to begin completing the application. You may save an application in progress and return to edit it at any time prior to the submission deadline. You may also download and save your application after submission for your personal records.
If you have questions or need assistance, please email IGCS Advocacy Manager, Shriya Shah, at shriya.shah@igcs.org.
Grant Submission Deadline
October 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM CDT (Chicago)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I am eligible to apply for this fund?
Demonstrating our values of diversity and inclusion in this grant selection process, the description of eligible projects has purposely been left open to interpretation. We encourage the submission of a variety of project requests benefiting patients directly or indirectly. See the eligibility section above.
If you are not sure if you are eligible, please email shriya.shah@igcs.org with details about your project.
How many recipients will be selected, and what is the total funding available through the IGCS EDI fund in 2024?
The EDI Fund for 2025 will award 1 recipient with a cap of $10,000. Applicants may use this allocation toward either a pilot program or existing programming. Details of funding need, allocation specifics and rationale of decision-making should be described in detail within the application, specifically in the “Financial Needs/Program Budget” section of the application. Decisions regarding the allocation of funds will be made at the discretion of the selection committee. The committee reserves the right to fund one project or distribute the fund among multiple projects if they so choose.
What criteria will the selection committee use to score applications and make decisions?
The committee will receive a standardized scoring sheet to score/rank each application based on the overall quality of the project narrative communicated in the application, the potential impact of the project, and the ability of the project to meet the objectives of equity, diversity, and inclusion for the benefit of patients.
After individual scores/rankings are compiled and calculated, the selection committee will review the overall scores and discuss each application. The committee may request additional information from select applicants to facilitate decision making.
Final decisions will be made at the discretion of the selection committee, taking information from the scoring sheets, committee discussions, and applicant interviews (if applicable) into consideration.
When will applicants learn the status of their application?
During the month of October, applicants may be selected to participate in an interview prior to the selection committee’s final decision. Additional information regarding the funding needs and project budgets of the applicants may be requested by the selection committee after the initial application review. Barring any unresolved issues with applications, grantees will be notified of their status early in November.
When will the funding be awarded and how long is the period of performance for the grant?
Funding will be distributed by latest November 2024. The period of performance during which the awardee may incur new obligations to carry out the work authorized under the grant is 12 months. Successful applications will select a reasonable start date the funding will begin to be utilized.
Will the recipients be required to provide interim reporting and budget reconciliation?
Yes. An interim report will be due 6 months after allocation (approximately July 1, 2025) and a final report will be due 30 days after the end of the funding cycle (approximately January 30, 2026) that includes a budget reconciliation.
2024 Grant Recipients
Project: "Count Me In:" - Pain & Palliative Project (PPP)
Project Lead:
Mr. Runcie Chidebe
Organization:
Project PINK BLUE – Health and Psychological Trust Center
Target Population:
Women living with gynecological cancer in Gwagwalada, Nigeria
Project: Beyond the Surface: Recovering Me and My Sex - Supporting Sexuality and Self Esteem in Women Post Cervical Cancer Treatment
Project Lead:
Karen Nakawala Chilowa
Organization:
Teal Sisters Foundation
Target Population:
Women who have undergone cervical cancer treatment in Zambia
Project: A Versatile Endometrial Cancer Education Video - Tool for Underserved Communities: A Pilot Project
Project Lead:
Dr. Eleanor Richards
Organization:
University of Manchester
Target Population:
Endometrial cancer awareness for Black and South Asian Communities in the UK
2023 Grant Recipients
Project: HER REASON FOR BEING: A Multifaceted Community-Based Project to Advance Cervical Cancer Prevention and Awareness
Project Lead:
Ms. Salome Kwenda
Organization:
Online Voices and Being Africa
Target Population:
Women aged 15 to 50 years residing in Kenya
Nan men gran m'et la:
Pilot Palliative Care Intervention for Vulnerable Women with Advanced Cervical Cancer in Haiti
Project Lead:
Dr. Rebecca Henderson
Organization:
Zanmi Lasante/University Hospital of Mirebalais, Haiti
Target Population:
Gynecologic cancer patients residing in Haiti
Acceptability of Self-Sampling for Cervical Screening in the LGBTQIA+ Population - The Alternative Cervical Screening (ACES) LGBTQIA+2 Study
Project Lead:
Dr. Jennifer Davies-Oliverira
Organization:
University of Manchester
Target Population:
LGBTQIA+ community vulnerable to cervical cancer
About the Dicey Scroggins Fund for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Gynecologic Cancer Patient Outreach
This fund was established to support projects and initiatives that address disparities in gynecologic cancer patient care. By providing financial support to innovative and inclusive projects, the fund aims to contribute to a more equitable and diverse landscape in the field of gynecologic cancer research and outreach. Named in honor of Dicey Scroggins, the founder of IGCS’ global patient advocacy network, International Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy Network (IGCAN).
About the International Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy Network
The purpose of the IGCAN is to create and sustain a broad Network of organizations and individuals that work collaboratively—in sisterhood—“to enhance the care of women with gynecologic cancers worldwide,” with the core value that every woman under every circumstance deserves and must receive the best possible quality of care and quality of life, resulting in best outcomes.