Funding Opportunities
Body
Are you planning an activity such as a networking event or hosting a guest speaker?
The Student Development Office has some funding to help with the costs of organising these types of activities for SPS students.
Full details and guidance for each fund can be found below. Please ensure you have reviewed this before submitting your application.
While every application is considered and reviewed, funding is not guaranteed.
You may reach out to studentdevelopment.sps@ed.ac.uk with any questions.
Funds on Offer:
- Widening Participation - Student Participation Grant 26/27 (centrally funded)
Central funding is available to remove the financial barriers that may prevent participation in sports clubs or joining student societies during your time at Edinburgh.
This centrally administered fund allows you to apply for up to £300 to assist with travel, equipment, and any participation costs in your chosen EUSA society or sports club, including university gym membership.
You can only apply to this central fund once per semester. When the fund opens for applications it does so on a first-come, first-served basis until the funding is exhausted.
Please note: This fund is administered centrally. If you have any questions about eligibility or how to apply, please contact studentfunding@ed.ac.uk directly rather than the Student Development Office.
- SPS PGR Research Support Fund
Funding available for SPS postgraduate research students only.
This funding could be put towards associated costs for research or fieldwork such as travel, accommodation, or reimbursement for research costs, as well as presenting your own work at a conference.
- SPS PGR Community Building Fund
The SPS PGR Community Building Fund supports inclusive, high‑impact activities that strengthen belonging, peer support and wellbeing across the PGR community in the School of Social and Political Science.
The fund can support School‑wide initiatives, as well as events for specific departments, programmes or annual cohorts. The fund is administered by the SPS PGR Representatives.
- SPS Student Initiative Fund
Funding available for SPS undergraduate and postgraduate taught students only.
This funding could be put towards setting up a conference, hosting a speaker, holding a writing retreat, organising an event, or facilitating collaboration and networking.
Guidance and Important Information
Please review all details of the fund to which you are applying carefully before submitting your application.
- Applications must be made in advance of any activity and as early as possible.
- Where retrospective applications are permitted, they will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
- Applications including travel and events must be received at 6 weeks in advance.
- Do not submit multiple applications for the same request as we do not double fund requests.
- Please make applications as detailed as possible.
- The amount requested section should be itemised and detailed.
- The funding provided may not cover all costs associated with your activity.
Deadlines
We are reviewing our funding deadlines and application windows. Deadlines will vary according to the funds. Please use the links above to check requirements for each fund.
Travel
- Travel must be undertaken in accordance with the University of Edinburgh Sustainable Travel Policy
- All travel requests must be accompanied by a Travel Risk Assessment.
- Risk assessments must be submitted for approval at least 6 weeks prior to travel.
- Please note we cannot fund or recommend using Airbnb accommodation.
- Always await risk assessment approval before you travel.