What Grants Are Available and How Do We Apply?

Durham Students’ Union shall allocate funding each year for the purposes of supporting and developing SU registered Student Groups, student volunteers, activists, Associations and students at Durham University. All grant funding must be used for the benefit of the students and in line with the charitable aims of Durham Students' Union. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• GRANT CRITERIA
• GRANTS AVAILABLE TO STUDENT GROUPS
• GRANTS AVAILABLE TO NON STUDENT GROUPS
• MAKE A GRANT APPLICATION
• GRANT APPLICATION REVIEW 
• GRANT LIMITATIONS
• GRANT OUTCOMES AND UNSPENT FUNDS
• EXTERNAL GRANTS

GRANT CRITERIA

Our Freedom of Speech Code of Practice sets out the criteria Durham SU will use when considering whether a group, activity or campaign can be funded. 

Durham SU will offer support and/or funding to a student group, activity, or campaign on the basis that a request is:

• Consistent with Durham SU’s charitable objects.
• Consistent with Durham SU’s strategic priorities.
• Within Durham SU’s risk appetite and is consistent with the Risk Policy.
• For a registered student group or activity.
• For an unregistered student group or activity, but the support or funding awarded supports delivery of Durham SU’s charitable objects or strategic priorities and no suitable registered student group.

GRANTS AVAILABLE TO STUDENT GROUPS

The Academic Interests Fund – funding for initiatives and projects run by faculty and course reps in the department to enhance the academic experience at Durham University. 

The Access and Participation Fund – funding for initiatives and projects that support students to get involved in Durham SU activities and events, this grant is only available to self-defined liberation groups and Associations.   

The Discovery Fund – funding projects and activities that enable students to learn something new. 

The Campaigns Fund – funding projects and campaigns that tackle the issues that hold students back, represent student interest and create positive change. 

GRANTS AVAILABLE TO NON STUDENT GROUPS

The Campaigns Fund – funding projects and campaigns that tackle the issues that hold students back, represent student interest and create positive change. 

MAKE A GRANT APPLICATION

If you would like to apply for a grant, please complete our online Grant Application Form. To be considered for grant funding you will also need to attach the below evidence to your application:

Please note that grants cannot be applied for retrospectively for an event or activity which has already taken place.

GRANT APPLICATION REVIEW 

The Officer/Student Group Committee will consider the following when assessing your application: 

• How far the funding will advance the strategic objectives of the Union.
• The extent to which measures have been taken to seek other sources of funding (e.g. membership fees, sponsorship, external grants). 
• The measures taken to ensure value-for-money. 
• The number of students who will benefit from the funding. 
• The positive impact that the activity will have for Durham University students. 
• Whether the activity or campaign goes against the SU’s charitable objectives.

GRANT LIMITATIONS

Please note that the following will not be funded through any of our grants:  

• Activities or events whose primary aim is fundraising for other charities.
• Donations to charities, political parties, or other similar activities
• Expenditure which only benefits an individual or a small number of individuals
• Any self-funding event (especially socials or balls) as these events should be ticketed to ensure all costs are covered.
• Any activity or event which has already happened.

Please also note the following limitations:  

• Conference attendance will only be funded if attendance at such conferences benefits the student group.
• The Students’ Union will not fund any food or drink unless it is the focus of the activity e.g. food festivals.
• The Students’ Union will only fund the cost of standard class travel and ’budget’ accommodation options.

GRANT OUTCOMES AND UNSPENT FUNDS

The Officer/Student Group Committee reserves the right to award all, part or none of the money which has been applied for and may attach reasonable conditions to any funding.

Activities funded by SU grants may require an approved risk assessment before it can take place.

The Union reserves the right to reclaim any money that is not used for its intended purpose or remains unspent by the end of the term in which the event was due to take place.

Following the completion of the campaign or activity, you must submit a Durham SU Grants Evaluation form to assess your use of the grant.