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.

Please read the information on this webpage carefully as there are some changes from 2023-24. Applications have now closed for Michaelmas Term and will open in 9th week for Hilary Term.

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. 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 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 £920

 

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

  • Graduates should complete the application form and email it to their Supervisor, copying in student.funding@some.ox.ac.uk. Students should also include any evidence of estimated or actual costs. Applications have now closed for Michaelmas Term and will open in 9th week for Hilary Term.
  • Supervisors should complete their section and email the application form to student.funding@some.ox.ac.uk.
  • Please note it has been agreed that College Advisers will no longer be asked to comment on applications.

Application and project deadlines

Applications are accepted each term.

Term Deadline for application to be sent to Supervisor 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

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 the Scholarships and Funding Officer.