Personal Development Fund
Content
Guidance updated on the 4th November 2024.
The Student Development Office has a budget for SPS undergraduate and postgraduate taught students to support activities contributing to your individual 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. Once your funding has been confirmed in principal and you have completed your activity, you will need to write and submit a short, 600 word reflection on the impact that this has had on your personal development. This must be submitted alongside your expense claim form to receive your funding.
Key Information
The maximum available to request per student over the academic year is up to £250* in an academic year. If you are attending multiple conferences/ trainings, please submit a separate application for each.
* While every application is reviewed funding is not guaranteed.
Application Process
- Read the Guidance and Information section of the Funding Opportunities page.
- Research your requirements and explore all possible alternatives. Example: You are planning to travel to London for a conference, explore all travel options including flight, rail and bus and note in your application the reason for selecting your preferred transport method. Please follow the same process when selecting your accommodation too. The FAQs section of the Sustainable Travel Policy are helpful when considering options.
- Applications must be made in advance of any purchases.
- Items not listed on your application will NOT be funded.
- All applications must be accompanied by a completed risk assessment.
- You must be connected to the University VPN to access the risk assessment form. For more guidance on how to access the VPN read here.
Receiving Funding
- More information about these processes will be provided once your application has been reviewed and a decision made.
- Money will not be transferred to you directly in advance of the funded activity.
- You will not receive any funding if other required documents have not been provided. Examples: Travel Risk Assessment, Ethical Approval Form, Fieldwork Risk Assessment, Reflective Account
Student Expenses
- We are only able to fund activities through reimbursement of receipts and the completion of the Student Expenses Form (with the exception of Diversity Travel bookings). This form will be sent to you upon your application being successfully reviewed.
- For more information regarding expenses, please see the University of Edinburgh expenses policy.
Travel
- Any requests requiring travel will need to be accompanied by a Travel Risk Assessment and can be booked through Diversity Travel, in accordance with the University of Edinburgh Sustainable Travel Policy. This policy has been updated (1st September 2024) with exemptions to allow bookings through companies other than Diversity Travel, please check the policy for details.
- Travel booked through Diversity Travel will be invoiced directly to the University. If the cost of travel is more than the funded amount, you will need to reimburse the university for the difference.
- Risk Assessments must be submitted for approval at least 2 weeks prior to travel. Always await risk assessment approval before you travel.
- For travel relating to any non-fieldwork activity eg conferences please complete this RA-1 Form and send us a copy.