SPS Widening Participation Fund
Introduction
This fund is now closed. We apologise for the disappointing news. Please check this page in the New Academic Year 25/26 for updated guidance.
The SPS Widening Participation fund is available to WP students in the School of Social and Political Science.
The fund aims to remove the financial barriers that some students face in taking part in sport, society, cohort and other community-building activities.
You are considered to be Widening Participation student if you were assigned a flag or a plus flag when you applied to the University of Edinburgh. If you are unsure if you eligible to apply for this funding then please reach out to ssps.student-devlopment@ed.ac.uk and we can check for you.
This funding could be put towards associated costs to enable attendance at social events, student society memberships and activities, trips or other events which promote engagement with the student’s wider peer group.
Content
Key Information
The maximum available to request per year: £250*.
Students may submit multiple applications totalling up to a maximum amount of £250 per individual per year.
*Please note that 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 research, explore all travel options including flight, rail and bus and note in your application the reason for selecting your preferred transport method. Please complete the same process for accommodation too. Please ensure you have read the Sustainable Travel Policy, the FAQs section is very useful.
- Applications must be made in advance of any purchases.
- Items not listed on your application will NOT be funded.
- A completed risk assessment may be required depending on what your funding request is for.
- 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.
- 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
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 booked through Diversity Travel, in accordance with the University of Edinburgh Sustainable Travel Policy. This policy has been updated to allow bookings through other travel companies, please check policy 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
Guidance and Important Information
Before applying for any of these opportunities please read this key information.
Guidance and important information