The Women's Place

Initiatives and Programs

Critical Difference

Critical Difference (CD) is a grant program administered by The Women's Place for staff, faculty and students seeking advanced education and enhanced professional lives at Ohio State. CD reflects the university's commitment to generate support for the specific needs of these individuals as they seek to realize their goals and dreams, both personally and professionally.
Photo of Professor Namiko Kunimoto
Research on Women Grant recipient Professor Namiko Kunimoto

The Critical Difference program (originally named Critical Difference for Women) was created in 1986 when 22 exceptional Ohio State women came together to do research on why many women students were not completing degrees. They found that the disruption in women students' studies was largely due to family responsibilities and financial constraints. The researchers further concluded that financial assistance for tuition, books, childcare and other living expenses would make the critical difference in permitting women students to re-enroll and graduate.

Since then, Critical Difference has blossomed into a remarkable scholarship and grant program for Ohio State staff, faculty and students comprised of three funds:

  • Professional Development Grants
    For staff and faculty who have been continuously employed at Ohio State for at least one year; sophomore level and above full-time undergraduate students; and full-time graduate/professional students to help facilitate professional development and career mobility. Grants will be awarded for professional development conferences and workshops, equipment, research activities, certifications, etc. Students will be eligible for up to $1000 and Staff/Faculty will be eligible for up to $1500.
  • Re-entry Scholarships
    For students who have interrupted their education due to unforeseen obstacles and who are seeking undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees.
  • Research on Women Grants
    For faculty (tenure-track, clinical/teaching/practice, research and associated) and PhD candidates/terminal master's degree students of all genders to support research that explores women's lives, gender equity, and gender broadly conceptualized.