SUN SMALL PROJECT FUND
The Small Project Fund (SPF) initiative gives specific schools across the SUN region the opportunity to bid for funding to deliver projects and activities that support the aims of the Uni Connect programme. Schools can bid for up to a maximum of £5,000. The final deadline to apply is Friday 29 March 2024 and all activity must be delivered by Friday 5 July 2024.
Small Project Fund activity should support at least one of the learning objectives from the SUN Progression Framework. The SUN Progression Framework can be downloaded from the When and How to Apply section below.
SPF applications must demonstrate value for money and economies of scale so that these projects can be replicated in the future by other institutions.
The SUN will consider applications that either demonstrate plans for sustained and progressive activities across the academic year, or individual activities with clear objectives, which meet a student need. Activities and projects should be a new programme or activity introduced to the school, or, designed to enhance a school’s existing programme.
Priority will always be given to projects which are new and innovative. Across 2023-24, the SUN is particularly interested to receive bids from schools on a theme of either attainment-raising or disrupted education.
The Small Project Fund opportunity is open to specific schools across the SUN region. If you are unsure whether your school is eligible to apply, please contact sun@soton.ac.uk
Small Project Fund activity should be targeted towards students in Year 9 – 13, who fall into at least one of the following categories:
- Uni Connect students*
- Students from Armed Forces/ military families
- Disabled students
- Care-experienced students
- Students who are young carers
- Students estranged from their families
- Students from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
- Students who are refugees
*Uni Connect students are defined as young people in Year 9 -13 who reside in low HE participation areas. These students will be identified in your 2023-24 SPoC Activity Report. If you do not have access to a SPoC Activity Report, please get in touch with sun@soton.ac.uk
To apply, schools should complete the Small Project Fund Application form below. Applications will be reviewed on a half-termly basis by the SUN Project Review Board and schools will be notified of the outcome following the meeting of the review board.
The final deadline to apply is Friday 29 March 2024. Schools can apply any time prior to this date. All activity must be delivered by Friday 5 July 2024.
If your application is successful, there will be a requirement to provide monitoring data throughout the project and an end of project report to the SUN. Further details regarding monitoring and reporting requirements and funding restrictions are outlined in the guidance below, so please read this document carefully before applying.
These online sessions will support schools to write an application via the Small Project Fund initiative.
Sessions will be delivered on Zoom on Tuesday 7 November 2023 and Thursday 1 February 2024 from 3 – 4:15pm.
- How to apply for an SPF
- Top tips for successful bid-writing
- Project and activity types: examples and ideas
- Restrictions and pitfalls
- SPF reporting requirements and HEAT consent
- Q&A
SPF activities may include the following:
- Workshops/ assemblies delivered by school staff or third-party providers
- Small group activities
- 1:1s or mentoring programmes
- Employer engagement activities
- Role model/ alumni engagement activities
- Inspirational/ motivational talks
The list above is not exhaustive, and the SUN is very keen to hear from schools with new and innovative activity ideas.
Across 2023-24, the SUN is particularly interested to receive bids from schools on a theme of either attainment-raising or disrupted education. Further details and examples are available in the SPF Application Guidance.
If you have any questions about the SUN SPF initiative, please contact: