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.
Application – Graduate Funding for Travel and Projects
Application – Undergraduate Funding for Travel and Projects
Application – BMBCH Funding for Travel and Projects
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
Enrolled students are eligible including research graduates who have submitted their thesis. Please note that the following students are not eligible:
- Suspended students
- Visiting students
- Associate students
- Undergraduates on report or probation
- Finalists whose project will be completed after the end of their course
Applicants should be in need of financial support for projects that fit with the purpose of the Catherine Hughes Fund (raising aspirations and expanding horizons in the student community, with a focus on intellectual curiosity and social conscience). The planned travel or project must start after a certain date each term and end before your course completion date. In Michaelmas Term, projects must start after Wednesday 11th November. 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.
Please note that the following costs will not be funded:
- Core or compulsory course costs will not be funded (graduates).
- Medical electives will not be funded (BMBCH students).
- The purchase or hire of equipment will not be funded.
- The cost of employing other people or organisations to work on projects will not be funded.
- The cost of travelling from outside Oxford to the project location will only be funded if it is lower than the equivalent cost of travelling from Oxford.
- Students undertaking internships can only apply for support with accommodation, subsistence and travel. Funding cannot be used to provide a salary for unpaid internships.
- Travel to places where students are usually resident when not in Oxford will not normally be funded.
Please note that rather than applying for a specific award, students will be asked to confirm the primary purpose of their project. The Committee will then decide which funding should be used.
Award levels
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.
Most awards will be made at the following levels:
| 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum over length of course | £1,000 | £1,200 | £800 |
In exceptional circumstances, it is possible to make awards at the following levels:
| 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum over length of course | £1,500 | £1,800 | £1,200 |
Application process (graduates)
Please complete the application form. The deadline is 12 noon on Monday 26th October and late applications will not be accepted unless there are exceptional circumstances. If you are applying for funding for multiple projects, please submit a separate application for each one. If you require funding to attend an event such as a conference, please submit an application even if your place is not yet confirmed. Please ensure that you check your responses carefully. If there are any significant errors, your application will not be accepted. We recommend that you save a copy of your responses for future reference. Your application will be shared with your Department of Faculty Supervisor so you do not need to do this, but please discuss it with them before applying.
Application process (undergraduates)
Please complete the application form. The deadline is 12 noon on Monday 26th October and late applications will not be accepted unless there are exceptional circumstances. If you are applying for funding for multiple projects, please submit a separate application for each one. If you require funding to attend an event such as a conference, please submit an application even if your place is not yet confirmed. Please ensure that you check your responses carefully. If there are any significant errors, your application will not be accepted. We recommend that you save a copy of your responses for future reference. Your application will be shared with your Personal Tutor at Somerville so you do not need to do this, but please discuss it with them before applying.
Application process (BMBCH students)
Please complete the application form. The deadline is 12 noon on Monday 26th October and late applications will not be accepted unless there are exceptional circumstances. If you are applying for funding for multiple projects, please submit a separate application for each one. If you require funding to attend an event such as a conference, please submit an application even if your place is not yet confirmed. Please ensure that you check your responses carefully. If there are any significant errors, your application will not be accepted. We recommend that you save a copy of your responses for future reference. Your application will be shared with your Personal Tutor at Somerville so you do not need to do this, but please discuss it with them before applying.
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. Students are required to submit reports from any previously funded projects before payment will be made.
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
