Founder's Building north west corner

Apply to the Student Opportunities Fund


Got a great idea for something that could improve student experience? The Student Opportunities Fund could provide between £100 and £3,000 to support you!

What is the Student Opportunities Fund?

Do you have entrepreneurial spirit? Do you think outside the box? Have an idea for something that could improve the student experience?

If you – or a group of students – have a creative or innovative concept for a project, social enterprise or activity that requires funding to get you kick started, applications for the Student Opportunities Fund are now open!

Funded by Royal Holloway alumni who donate every year to support projects and initiatives which enrich the student experience here on campus, you can apply for anything between £100 and £3,000.

Recipients will also benefit from mentorship to ensure that ideas are successfully translated into applications. Our supporting mentor departments include; Social Enterprise, Volunteering, Sports, Student Advisory & Wellbeing, Careers, Library, Education, Student Engagement, Academic Schools (via Directors of Student Experience), and Doctoral School.

How to apply

  1. Make sure you know the deadlines for applications throughout the year, as well as what mentor department it might fall under. 
  2. Make sure you read the application criteria and the terms of receiving funding to ensure that you are eligible to apply.
  3. Contact your mentor department for advice to ensure they are in support of your application.*
  4. Complete the application form and supporting statement required from your mentor department. This should be sent to studentopportunitiesfund@royalholloway.ac.uk following the submission of your application form. 

*Please note that student groups affiliated with the Students' Union should not submit a request to the Student Opportunities Fund but liaise with the Students' Union instead. More information on Students' Union funding can be found here.  

Applications to the Student Opportunities Fund are divided into one of three separate strands:

  • Community & Culture - supporting individuals or student groups in leading on a one-off cultural event or recurring activity that will contribute to the sense of community on campus
  • Entrepreneurship - supporting individuals or student groups who wish to kick-start a project, initiative, social enterprise or activity
  • Global Perspectives - supporting individuals or small groups of students travel who pursue an extracurricular activity taking place outside of the UK

You can learn more about each of the strands and view previous examples below:
 

Global Perspectives

SOF Ivan 2

Community & Culture

00-00 rehearsal 3

Entrepreneurship

Festival of Volunteering

Where does the funding come from?

SOF Volunteers Litterpicking

Deadlines, Departments Mentors and Key Documents

SOF Community Research Hub

 

 

 Contact us

Our team are available to confidentially discuss your idea and explain how the funding works.

If you have any questions, please contact studentopportunitiesfund@royalholloway.ac.uk