A funding pot that aims to make students more comfortable with their gender presentation and improve wellbeing

This funding pot is for individuals to receive a one off payment in the form of BACS transfer to enable immediate access to financial assistance for students who want to be more comfortable with their gender presentation and improve their wellbeing by reducing financial barriers to gender affirmation. You can apply here.

When does it happen?

• There is a small funding committee that includes 1 elected officer and 2 senior members of staff. The committee reviews applications on a case by case basis.
• If you submit an application by midday you will receive a decision by midday the following week.
• If your application is successful, you will be asked to provide your bank details and you will receive the money in your bank account within 5 working days.

Are there conditions of funding?

• Please note that the fund is intended for physical items, minor cosmetic procedures (such as ear piercings or haircuts) and transport to appointments only.
• We currently cannot fund medical procedures, therapy costs, hormone costs, or contribute to savings/fundraisers for surgical procedures (these are still being reviewed and may be subject to change in future).
• You must be 18 or over, a registered student at the University of Portsmouth and have not opted out as a member of UPSU.
• You must self-identify as either transgender, non-binary, intersex, genderqueer, gender-diverse or gender non-conforming.
• Your request must not exceed £50 (you are able to apply for part funding for items exceeding £50)
• You must not plan to use the fund to contribute to fundraisers, ‘GoFundMe’ pages or to give to others

A funding pot of £2,000 for groups!

Student leaders (committee members of a group) can make an application for up to £500 through our funding form, which can be found here.

The Funding committee meets once a month, at least six times across the academic year. Applications must be submitted by 1st of each month. Decisions are received by 10th every month. If the application is approved by the funding committee - access to the money is immediate.

You can find a full list of dates when the Committee will be meeting here.

Are there conditions of funding?

Groups must spend the money in the manner their application form set out. There will be a timescale to be able to spend the money so that it is not reserved for something that ends up not happening.

Any unspent funds will be returned to the Union to use within the funding pot.

What kind of things could be funded?

• Activities or events led by a student group.
• Catering costs up to £50 per event.
• Printing costs up to £25 per event.
• Speaker, presenter, compère or coach costs.
• Group travel costs.
• Events that benefit the society and all its members.

What kind of thing won't be funded?

• Activities or events led by a group which is not affiliated with the SU.
• Alcohol – allowed at events but not funded by the Union. No alcohol is to be brought onto the Union premises where alcohol is already served (e.g. the Bar or Cafe).
• Venue costs or Zoom pro accounts – the Union can supply a venue at no cost and therefore will not pay to hire off-campus venues. For online events, please use your Google Meets account via your group account.
• Activities which are against the Union's principles and values.
• Events that benefit an individual only within a student group.
• Contributions towards degree and course costs.
• Retrospective funding for past events and projects – there is a funding group meeting almost every month so you have time to apply for money for events or projects you have coming up.
• Events that directly breach contractual agreements set out by the business team.

Questions?

Contact groups@upsu.net to get more information about the Hardship Fund.

A funding pot of £1,000 for individuals to receive a one off payment in the form of a voucher to enable immediate access to food

Individuals can make an application for up to £50 through our funding form, which can be found here.

The Funding committee reviews applications on a case by case basis. Applications submitted by midday on Thursday will receive a decision by the following Thursday. The Advice Service can assist you with an appointment, meaning you'd be instantly notified about what assistance can be provided. If the application is approved by the funding committee - access to the voucher is immediate.

Are there conditions of funding?

Individuals will not be given cash. If deemed appropriate, they will be given a voucher for food. Individuals will need to make face to face contact with advice@upsu.net to receive a voucher and/or advice of any further assistance available.

Contact wesupport@upsu.net to get more information about the Hardship Fund.

The Participation Fund is brought to you by Dominos.

A funding pot of £7,000 for individuals to receive the benefit of joining a group

Individuals can make an application for up to £500 through our funding form, which can be found here.

The funding committee reviews applications on a weekly basis - if you submit by midday on Thursday you will receive a decision by the following Thursday. If the application is approved by the funding committee - access to the money is immediate

Individuals will not be given the money, they will be awarded funding to cover what has been applied for. Individuals will need to make face to face contact with groups@upsu.net so that they can purchase membership etc

Any unspent funds will be returned to the Union to use within the funding pot.

• Joining fee/Membership to a group (UoP or UPSU)
• Activities or events led by a student group.
• Individual travel costs associated with the group.

• Activities or events led by a group which is not affiliated with the SU.
• Alcohol – allowed at events but not funded by the Union. No alcohol is to be brought onto the Union premises where alcohol is already served (e.g. the Bar or Cafe).
• Venue costs or Zoom pro accounts – the Union can supply a venue at no cost and therefore will not pay to hire off-campus venues. For online events, please use your Google Meets account via your group account.
• Activities which are against the Union's principles and values.
• Contributions towards degree and course costs.
• Retrospective funding for past events and projects – there is opportunity to apply for money on a weekly basis (at least during term time).
• Events that directly breach contractual agreements set out by the business team

Contact Groups@upsu.net to get more information about the Hardship Fund.