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Co-curricular Grants Program
For innovative new project ideas that resonate with students.
Overview
The Co-curricular Grants Program provides funding and support for students to create innovative projects that build a sense of community and develop graduate qualities.
You can apply as an individual student or a group of students to access up to A$2000 of funding and development support for project ideas that support our students in the areas of social activities and mentoring, professional development, community contribution and academic research.
You’ll get the opportunity to:
- make a significant impact on students in our community
- develop your skills in project management, budgeting and reporting, while being supported by the Student Life team
- build your resume and be recognised for your leadership.
Assessment criteria
Grant applications for projects will be assessed against the following criteria:
- The project fits within one or more of the following activity categories:
- social and cohort building activities for our students
- professional development or work-integrated learning activities for our students
- research and other academic opportunities for our students
- community volunteering projects
- It has a positive impact on the our student cohort by developing graduate qualities or building social connections and a sense of belonging, community, and wellbeing
- It should be open to all of our students to participate in, regardless of faculty or school
- Projects should consider strategies to minimise financial and student safety risk. If a project is assessed as having severe risk it will be considered ineligible for funding
- Projects that consider equity and strategies for engaging diverse student groups will be highly regarded
- Projects that engage our domestic and international students based both in Australia and offshore will be highly regarded
- Due to the unpredictability of COVID-19, projects that consider an activity’s ability to be adapted to an online or hybrid model due to any restrictions that may arise at time of event will be highly regarded
- The declaration of external interests you’ll complete as part of the application form will also be considered.
Projects may be discipline specific but must be open to all our students.
Projects must impact a wide group of students. Funding is not available for individual activities.
Eligibility
To be eligible you’ll need to:
- be a currently enrolled student at the University at the time of the project/event taking place
- demonstrate how the project will build a sense of community and enable graduate qualities development for our students
- agree to the core commitments
- declare any additional funding support or collaborations with other parties (e.g. local councils, other universities or businesses).
How to apply
Applications for Semester 1, 2022 close 9am, Friday 18 February 2022.
To apply, you will need to complete the application form and proposal online, including details of your project design such as budget, timeline and activities and making sure you address the assessment criteria. Your application may include multiple events or activities. These can be in person, online or a hybrid model.
You can apply as:
- an individual
- a group of students who are not in a society
- a group of students within a society
- individuals/groups in collaboration with a society.
You may apply once per semester, either as an individual or part of a group.
What happens next
Applications will be assessed by a committee of representatives from the Office of Student Life, faculties, the Library, Marketing and Communications and a current student. We’ll be looking to ensure that events and initiatives are diverse and don’t duplicate existing activities at the University. We aim to assess applications and notify applicants of the outcome by email on Friday 11 March, 2022.
Project ideas
Social and cohort building activities for our students
- Trivia or games nights
- Cultural outings such as visits to museums, art exhibitions or tours of key Sydney landmarks
- Dinners or coffee meet-ups
- Speed friendship networking events
Professional development or work integrated learning activities for our students
- Information and networking events such as career fairs or career nights
- Career development and skill building workshops
- Pitch, start-up, investment, case or industry project competitions
- Student-led art exhibitions or creative competitions
- Student-led podcasts or videos
- Workplace visits
Research and other academic opportunities for our students
- Student-led conferences
- 1-minute thesis style competitions or similar opportunities to showcase academic work
- Student debates
- Study groups or book clubs
- Writing or essay competitions
- Student-led public talks
Community volunteering projects
- Students participate in corporate volunteering at a local not-for-profit
- Student-led mental health initiatives
- Student-led volunteering initiatives that benefit the wider community e.g. charity drives organised by students
Core commitments
You’ll have the following core commitments:
- design the project
- implement the project and manage the event
- draft a final report including budget reconciliation, attendance and student feedback
- disclose to Student Life:
- any additional funding
- additional support or collaboration with other stakeholders
- any potential or perceived conflict of interests
- develop marketing material including the invitation
- promote the event through avenues outside of Student News
- provide receipts to be reimbursed or invoices to be paid to Student Life
- respond to a student survey on your experience
- share information about the initiative at meetings or forums.
As a student, it is your responsibility to act in accordance with the values and principles of mutual responsibility and expectations between staff, students and the University as set out in the University of Sydney Student Charter (pdf, 221KB).
Key dates
| Event or deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications close | 9am, Friday 18 February 2022 |
| Applications assessed and successful applicants notified | Friday 11 March 2022 |
| Information session for successful grant recipients | 6pm, Thursday 17 March 2022 |
| All activities/projects to commence and be completed during this period | Sunday 20 March – Friday 15 July 2022 |
| Invoices due for payment/reimbursement | Friday 15 July 2022 |
| Final reports due | Friday 22 July 2022 |
Tips to help you plan
- You’ll have access to book one of our technology-driven, creative play-spaces including audio and video recording studios. If you are considering a podcast project you won’t need to include the cost of that equipment in your budget.
- Schedule activities to take place between 20 March and 15 July 2022, and give yourself enough time to plan and promote your project.
- Finish your activities and events at least 2 weeks before your final report is due. We’ll email you a template that you’ll need to use to complete your final report.
- Onshore students can provide receipts to be reimbursed or invoices to be paid to Student Life. It will take a minimum of 1 month to be reimbursed.
- Offshore students will need to contact the Student Life to discuss the payment process. You can email the team at studentlife.office@sydney.edu.au
COVID health and safety
In the event of the ongoing changes being made to public health orders, we recommend you prepare a scalable version of your project, events and activities to be delivered online or as a hybrid model as a backup option.
If you plan an in-person event or activity, you’ll need to consider COVID-19 safety. Student Life will assist you with this. You’ll need to allow additional time to plan and you should factor this into your timeline.
Support
Student Life will run an information session for successful applicants with tips and tricks on how to capture the University experience, maximise registrations and engagement, inspire your audience and lead a team. Student Life staff will also engage in regular check-ins to ensure your project is on track for success.
More information
We encourage you to reach out with any questions about the Co-curricular Grants Program at studentlife.office@sydney.edu.au
Last updated: 15 December 2021
