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What is the Participation Fund? 

The Participation Fund is a pot of money to support current UCL students who are experiencing financial hardship and are therefore facing significant financial barriers accessing Students’ Union UCL clubs and societies, as well as any other co-curricular or extra-curricular activities.  

Financial barriers can be especially hard for some students. but this should not prevent them from having amazing co-curricular and extra-curricular experiences and opportunities. The funds will be awarded based on an individual’s financial needs and can be used to help cover the costs of membership fees, or any other associated costs (such as kit, specialist equipment, travel or room hire). 

The fund is open to all UCL students of all programmes of study and for use in any Students’ Union UCL affiliated club or society. Students can also apply for funding to support other co-curricular and extra-curricular activities they are involved in whilst studying at UCL. 

What things can I get support to fund? 

Students can apply to the fund if they are able to demonstrate they would face a significant financial barrier to participating in extra or co-curricular activity, such as (not an exhaustive list): 

  • Paying the membership fee to join a club, society or similar UCL activity 
  • The costs of taking part in club or society core activity 
  • Joining Bloomsbury Fitness 
  • The costs of attending an extra-curricular or co-curricular event 
  • Purchasing or renting equipment or specialist clothing required to take part in a club, society or other similar activity 
  • Purchasing or renting adaptive equipment for disabled students taking part in club, society or other similar activity 
  • Taking part in a voluntary activity with a local group or charity 
  • Being involved in an activity run by our Reps or Officers 
  • Attending or presenting at a conference or other event (that is not a core part of the course of study) 
  • Taking part in an international trek, project or leadership/representation activity 

What you need to know before applying: 

  • Students can apply for up to a maximum of  £500 per academic year. You can either apply for the maximum award of £500 in one application or can apply for smaller amounts across a maximum of three applications during the academic year.  
  • The Participation Fund for upcoming costs only, and not to reimburse you for retrospective costs. We will not accept applications for any items which have already been bought at the start of your application.  
  • Along with your application form, you will be required to provide recent bank and credit card statements for all your accounts over the last 2 months. 
  • This is not an emergency fund, so please allow at least 20 working days from submitting the contact form until the funds are needed. 
  • If your application is successful and once you receive your award, we will ask you to send us receipts or proof of purchase for the items you have bought within ten working days.  

If you are thinking about applying to the fund, please complete the contact form.

For free and confidential money advice and to speak to someone about any financial hardship you may be experiencing, contact the advice service for an appointment at [email protected]