How to Apply

The Alumni Foundation Committee invites applications for grants from any department or individual member of the University (staff or student). The Foundation will also consider applications from Union recognised student clubs and societies.

If you need any advice before making an application, please contact Helen Meadows, Alumni Relations Events Officer, on 0114 222 1079.

To make an application, please complete the application form (downloadable from the right hand margin). The form asks for details of the following:

• Background information on the project
• Details of the project plan
• How much money is needed (including a detailed budget breakdown)
• How much money has already been raised
• How the project will benefit the University
• How many people (students/staff) it will benefit
• Any special factors
• If a smaller grant would help, or if the full amount is needed in order for the project to go ahead
• How will the Alumni Foundation be publicised if an award is made
• Contact details (please include a postal address)

The Committee follows some general guidelines when considering applications.

Please read through the following guidelines before making your application:

• The Committee only accepts applications from current University students and staff.
• The Committee does not normally support projects that require long-term funding. It prefers to award start-up grants to get projects off the ground.
• The Committee does not support applications for funding for socials (e.g. end of year dinners)
• The Committee does not support applicants going on electives or Raleigh International projects.
• The Committee does not support attendance at conferences when doing so is a course requirement
• The Committee prefers not to support projects that it believes are the responsibility of the University centrally.
• The Committee prefers not to support travel/accommodation/catering costs as these are not seen as beneficial in the long-term.
• The Committee does not support projects which are not linked to the University and therefore cannot accept applications from external charities.
• The Committee occasionally makes loans to projects that stand a good chance of being able to re-pay the loan.
• The Committee looks favourably on funding applications that will benefit students in the long term, such as funding for equipment.
• Applicants who have demonstrated an ability to secure partial funding from other sources are looked upon favourably.
• Ideas have to be mainstream and benefit more than one person. The enthusiasms of individuals are not usually supported.
• Grants not collected within six months of an award being made will be deemed to have expired (excluding exceptional cases).
• The Committee will not accept applications for funding for events or projects that have already happened, or that are due to occur within six weeks of the deadline.
• If the Committee's conditions when awarding a grant are not fulfilled in a timely fashion, the Committee reserves the right to request a proportion of the grant back. If none of the conditions are met, the recipient may have to return the whole grant.

Please email applications to: alumni@sheffield.ac.uk for the attention of Helen Meadows

or post to:

The University of Sheffield Alumni Foundation
Development and Alumni Relations Office
267 Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HB

Please note: Applications must be emailed in Word or pdf format. You will receive a confirmation when your application is received.