Funding Opportunities

Click below to find applications for UG and Masters funding through the Student Development Office.

Dissertation, Placement and Fieldwork Fund

Dissertation, Placement and Fieldwork Fund

The Student Development Office has a small budget available for UG and Masters students to support activities that contribute to the individual student’s dissertation research or completion of a placement. This funding could be put towards associated costs for dissertation research, fieldwork, or placement-based learning such as travel, accommodation, or reimbursement for research costs. Please be as detailed as possible in your proposal.

Application Process

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. A member of the SDO will be in touch to discuss the outcome of your application within 5 working days. Closing date for applications to this fund is June 2023.

Maximum amount available per request:

For field research in the UK [excluding London]: up to £350*
For field research outside the UK [including London]: up to £700*

*Amount awarded based on duration of fieldwork/ placement

Please note: We are only able to fund through reimbursement of receipts. For more information regarding expenses, please see the University of Edinburgh expenses policy.

Any requests requiring travel will need to be accompanied by a Travel Risk Assessment. Risk Assessments must be submitted for approval at least 2 weeks prior to travel.

Any request for research funding must also be accompanied by an approved ethics form. Applications will be discussed with your dissertation supervisor prior to approval.

The application form for the 2022-23 academic year will be available here soon.

All fieldwork funding applications must be accompanied by a completed risk assessment.

Personal Development Fund

Personal Development Fund

The Student Development Office has a small budget available, for all UG and Masters students, to support activities that contribute to the individual student’s professional development. This funding could be put towards attending a conference, taking part in an external development workshop or event, or facilitating collaboration and networking opportunities. We also welcome new ideas. Please be as detailed as possible in your proposal.

Application Process

Please note the below deadlines for this fund:

Semester 1

21 October 2022 (Students to be notified of application outcome by 31 October)
2 December 2022 (Students to be notified of application outcome by 12 December)

Semester 2

17 February 2023 (Students to be notified of application outcome by 27 February)
7 April 2023 (Students to be notified of application outcome by 17 April)
2 June 2023 (Students to be notified of application outcome by 12 June) – PGT Students Only

Maximum amount available per student (per academic year): up to £350

Please note: We are only able to fund through reimbursement of receipts. For more information regarding expenses, please see the University of Edinburgh expenses policy.

Any requests requiring travel will need to be accompanied by a Travel Risk Assessment. Risk Assessments must be submitted for approval at least 2 weeks prior to travel.

The application form for the 2022-23 academic year will be available here soon.

If your intended activity requires travel, you must also complete a risk assessment.

Student Initiative Fund

Student Initiative Fund

The Student Development Office has a small budget available, for all UG and Masters students, for initiatives that will benefit the student community within the School of Social and Political Science. 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. We also welcome new ideas. Please be as detailed as possible in your proposal.

Application Process

Please note the below deadlines for this fund:

Semester 1

21 October 2022 (Students to be notified of application outcome by 31 October)
2 December 2022 (Students to be notified of application outcome by 12 December)

Semester 2

17 February 2023 (Students to be notified of application outcome by 27 February)
7 April 2023 (Students to be notified of application outcome by 17 April)
2 June 2023 (Students to be notified of application outcome by 12 June) – PGT Students Only

Maximum amount available per request: up to £500

Please note: For most expenses, we are only able to fund through reimbursement of receipts. For more information regarding expenses, please see the University of Edinburgh expenses policy. In certain situations we may be able to pay for services (catering, venue booking, etc.) via invoice. All invoices must be proceeded by a purchase order created through the Student Development Office.

Any requests requiring travel will need to be accompanied by a Travel Risk Assessment. Risk Assessments must be submitted for approval at least 2 weeks prior to travel.

The application form for the 2022-23 academic year will be available here soon.

If your intended activity requires travel, you must also complete a risk assessment.

UG Programme Support Fund (UG Academic Cohort Leads Only)

UG Programme Support Fund

The Student Development Office has a small budget available to support UG programmes within the School of Social and Political Science. This funding could be put towards events that promote community building for students within that programme such as hosting speakers, holding a writing retreat, facilitating collaboration and networking, or cohort-building. We also welcome new ideas. Please be as detailed as possible in your proposal.

Application Process

This form only to be filled out by an academic cohort lead for the programme.

Applications must be submitted at least 3 weeks prior to event. A member of the SDO will be in touch to discuss the outcome of your application and assist with the planning logistics within 5 working days. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Please note: For small expenses, we typically fund through reimbursement of receipts. For larger expenses (catering, venue booking, etc.) we may pay via invoice. All invoices must be proceeded by a purchase order created through the Student Development Office. For more information regarding expenses, please see the University of Edinburgh expenses policy.

The application form for the 2022-23 academic year will be available here soon.

PGT Programme Support Fund (PG Staff Members Only)

PGT Programme Support Fund

The Student Development Office has a small budget available to support PGT programmes within the School of Social and Political Science. This funding could be put towards events that promote community building for students within that programme such as hosting speakers, holding a writing retreat, facilitating collaboration and networking, or cohort-building. We also welcome new ideas. Please be as detailed as possible in your proposal.

Application Process

This form only to be filled out by a postgraduate staff member.

Please note: For small expenses, we typically fund through reimbursement of receipts. For larger expenses (catering, venue booking, etc.) we may pay via invoice. All invoices must be proceeded by a purchase order created through the Student Development Office. For more information regarding expenses, please see the University of Edinburgh expenses policy.

The application form for the 2022-23 academic year will be available here soon.

Development Hub