The Catherine Hughes Fund was established in 2017. Its purpose is to fund initiatives to raise aspirations and expand horizons in the student community, with a focus on intellectual curiosity and social conscience.
Applications have now closed for the 2025-26 academic year. This webpage will be updated at the end of September with information for the 2026-27 academic year.
About the Catherine Hughes Fund
Catherine Hughes (née Pestell) was Principal of Somerville between 1989 and 1996. A diplomat and senior civil servant, she was born in County Durham and came to St Hilda’s Oxford after winning a scholarship to Leeds High School. Hughes was elected Principal of Somerville in 1989 and had a particular interest in the intellectual development and wellbeing of students. She famously oversaw the College’s decision to admit male students, a move which was undoubtedly controversial in some quarters, but which many argue stood in Somerville’s tradition of widening access to all who would do well here. Following her retirement in 1996, Hughes made generous gifts to support students and Fellows in History, English and Modern Languages. She died on 10th December 2014 leaving a generous bequest to Somerville.
Eligibility (2025-26)
Enrolled students are eligible including research graduates who have submitted their thesis. Students who are on suspension, visiting students, associate students and finalists whose project will be completed after the end of their course are not eligible. It is not possible to use these grants to fund medical electives or placements. The project does not need to be course-related. Applicants should be in need of financial support, and be able to demonstrate that their proposed project meets the following aims of the Catherine Hughes Fund:
- raise aspirations
- expand horizons
- focus on intellectual curiosity
Projects that meet the fourth aim (focus on social conscience) will be eligible for additional funding.
The planned travel or project must start after a certain date each term and end before your course completion date. It is not possible to be awarded retrospective funding unless there are exceptional circumstances. If you feel this applies to you, please explain the exceptional circumstances in your application. There is limited funding available so priority will be given to those who have not previously received awards. Travel to places where students are usually resident when not in Oxford will not normally be funded. Please note that it is not possible to apply for a Catherine Hughes Grant and Travel and Special Project Grant for the same project.
Award levels (2025-26)
Environmental sustainability is integral to Somerville’s commitment to social responsibility. Students who are applying for funding for travel within Europe are incentivised to choose lower carbon travel solutions. Lower award levels will apply unless there are exceptional circumstances. These could include disabilities that prevent long train journeys, caring responsibilities or the need to avoid travelling through particular countries. For the purposes of these awards, the countries on this list are considered to be within Europe. Students should refer to the University’s Guide to Sustainable Business Travel for information about reducing carbon emissions. They are also encouraged to offset flights using an offsetting scheme compliant with the Gold Standard.
| Catherine Hughes Grants | STANDARD ALLOWANCE Travel within the UK (not flying) or outside Europe (flying or not flying) | HIGHER ALLOWANCE Travel within Europe (not flying) | LOWER ALLOWANCE Travel within the UK (flying) or Europe (flying) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projects meeting the first three aims of the Fund | £1,000 | £1,200 | £800 |
| Projects meeting all four aims of the Fund | £1,500 | £1,800 | £1,200 |
Application process
Applications have now closed for the 2025-26 academic year. This webpage will be updated at the end of September with information for the 2026-27 academic year.
Application and project deadlines
Applications are accepted each term.
| Term | Application deadline | Project must start after this date |
|---|---|---|
| Michaelmas Term 2026 | 12 noon on Monday 26th October (3rd week) | Wednesday 11th November (5th week) |
| Hilary Term 2027 | 12 noon on Monday 1st February (3rd week) | Wednesday 17th February (5th week) |
| Trinity Term 2027 | 12 noon on Monday 10th May (3rd week) | Wednesday 26th May (5th week) |
Decisions
All applications will be acknowledged once the deadline has passed. Decisions will be made by Somerville College Travel and Special Project Grants Committee.
Payments
Payments will only be made to students if their battels have been cleared or they have agreed a payment plan with the Treasury. Payments will not be made until reports from any previous Travel and Special Project Grants or Catherine Hughes Grants have been submitted.
Reporting
Successful applicants will be expected to submit a report after the completion of their project.
Queries
If you have any queries, please email student.funding@some.ox.ac.uk
