Funding is available from Somerville towards the cost of academic-related activity such as discretionary travel or projects. Please note that these awards cannot be used to fund core or compulsory elements of a student’s degree.
Eligibility
Enrolled graduates in the first four years of their course are eligible. 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. Applicants should be in need of financial support for discretionary travel or projects relating to their studies. Examples could include conferences or training courses. Core or compulsory elements of a student’s degree cannot be funded through these awards. Students should also apply for other funding sources such as department or faculty travel grants.
The planned travel or project must start after a certain date each term (Wednesday 21st May in TT25) and end before your course completion date. It is not possible to be considered for retrospective funding unless there are exceptional circumstances. If you feel this applies to you, please explain the exceptional circumstances in your application. Please note that travel to places where students are usually resident when not in Oxford will not normally be funded.
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. The following 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. All the figures shown are the maximum amounts available over the length of the course. For the purposes of these awards, the countries on this list are considered to be within Europe.
| 1 year courses | 2 year courses | 3 year courses | |
| Travel within the UK or outside Europe (standard award) | Up to £400 | Up to £800 | Up to £1,200 |
| Travel within Europe which does not involve flying (increased by 20%) | Up to £480 | Up to £960 | Up to £1,440 |
| Travel within Europe which involves flying (reduced by 20%) | Up to £320 | Up to £640 | Up to £960 |
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.
Application process
The deadline for completing the online application form is 12 noon on Monday 28th April and late applications will not be accepted. The application will be shared with your Supervisor in the Department or Faculty so you don’t need to do this. However, please let your Supervisor know that you are applying for funding.
Application and project deadlines
Applications are accepted each term.
| Term | Application deadline | Project must start after this date |
| Michaelmas Term 2024 | 12 noon on Monday 21st October (2nd week) | Wednesday 13th November (5th week) |
| Hilary Term 2025 | 12 noon on Monday 27th January (2nd week) | Wednesday 19th February (5th week) |
| Trinity Term 2025 | 12 noon on Monday 28th April (1st week) | Wednesday 21st May (4th week) |
Please note that the deadlines in Trinity Term are earlier than in previous years.
Decisions
All applications will be acknowledged once the deadline has passed. Decisions will be made by Somerville College Travel and Special Project Grants Committee.
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.
