St Chad’s College Opportunities Fund

The St Chad’s College Opportunities Fund is available to support current students at St Chad’s College. The fund seeks to enable students to participate in activities or initiatives that may otherwise be inaccessible to them. In the past the Opportunities Fund has supported a wide range of activities including cultural trips, training opportunities, College events, resources required for participation in a club or committee or anything else which enables you to access an opportunity available to you in College. 

When can I apply?

Applications will be invited three times per academic year, in Michaelmas, Epiphany, and Easter Term. Applicants may apply for – and may receive – an award three times per academic year. In the 2023/24 academic the deadlines for application are as follows – 

  • Michaelmas Term – Sunday 29 October, midnight
  • Epiphany Term – Sunday 21 January, midnight
  • Easter Term – Sunday 5 May, midnight

How should I apply?

Awards will range from £50 to £150 and students are asked to submit their application in the following format – 

  1. Details of your proposed activity
    • including what the activity involved, when it is, where it is and the nature of your participation.
  2. How you will benefit from participation in the activity
    • the fund is available to support activities which enhance a student’s personal development. Please provide information about this here.
  3. A full breakdown of costs
    • including the total amount required for participation – for example if you are only asking for support for one aspect of a trip such as accommodation, it would be helpful for the panel to be aware of the wider costs associated with the activity and how you plan to fund these.
  4. A statement to outline your current financial situation
    • including how you currently fund your studies, the impact that support from this fund could have and any other details you are willing to provide.

Your application, in total, should not exceed 500 words.

Applications should be submitted to Susan Mather (susan.mather@durham.ac.uk).

Additional Information

Applications will be treated in confidence and will be read by a small panel of College staff. However if you are a successful applicant, please let us know if you are happy to write to those who have contributed financially to support this fund. Donors often enjoy hearing from students about how the fund has helped them to take full advantage of the opportunities at St Chad’s, particularly those who are Chad’s alumni. We would be delighted if you would be willing to contribute a brief paragraph and photograph to future alumni publications to encourage further support.