Summer Uni Grant 2009

FAQs

1. When can I apply for my 2009 Summer Uni Programme?

The application pack will be available to download from Wednesday 17 September 2008. You can apply anytime from then until the closing date of Tuesday 10 February 2009. Please bear in mind that SUL will be holding a grant application workshop on 13 January 2009, and so it might be wise to wait until you have attended the workshop before submitting your application form.

2. If I miss the deadline, will you still consider accepting my application?

No, under no circumstances will we extend the deadline. We are making the application materials available well ahead of the deadline and therefore feel that there is enough time for everyone to apply. Also, as our funds are limited (there is not enough money to award every SU a grant) we therefore need to be strict with our rules.

3. Will Summer Uni London be providing help with filling-out the application forms?

No, we cannot help you to complete the application form. However SUL will be holding a grant application workshop on 13 January 2009, and we will take you through the process of completing the application form and highlight areas that you need to pay particular attention to. We will also provide general guidance on completing the form. However we won’t be able to help individual Summer Unis to write their applications!

4. How much can I apply for?

The maximum grant size is £25,000.

5. My project costs more than £25,000, can I still apply for funding?

Yes. In fact you must be able to demonstrate to us that you will be able to match-fund at least the value of the grant that we award to your Summer Uni.

6. What do you mean by match-fund? What is match funding?

Direct financial and in-kind contributions towards the costs of a project. For example, if you apply to SUL for a grant of £25,000 we expect you to raise at least £25,000 worth of match funding. This might be in cash, or in-kind.

7. OK, so what do you mean by 'in-kind'?

The cash value of a non-financial contribution to a project, e.g. the donation of venues, equipment or professional services. The items/services must be such that there would normally be a charge for them and must be essential to the implementation of the project.

8. What sorts of things/elements of the Summer Uni programme can we apply for funding towards?

In 2009 SUL will only be funding certain types of project:

• Running and improving existing SU activities by ensuring greater involvement of young people in the delivery and marketing of the SU;
• New activities for the SU which demonstrate innovation or improvement over previous SU programmes

The 2009 application pack contains detailed guidance on what we will fund.

9. My organisation runs programmes that are similar to Summer Unis; can I apply for a Summer Uni Grant?

Only Summer Unis that are part of the Summer Uni London Network are eligible to apply for a grant.

10. I am not sure about some of the potential costs of my Summer Uni and other areas of the bid. Will it be OK for me to put the application form into Summer Uni London with some questions blank, and then I follow up with the missing information at a later date?

No. A grant will not be awarded unless all questions on the application form have been completed thoroughly and by the deadline. This is common amongst most funders, not just Summer Uni London.

11. Do we need to involve young people in our Summer Uni?

Your application will score more highly (and therefore be more likely to receive funding) if there is demonstrable involvement by young people in the delivery and marketing of your Summer Uni.

12. We have run a really successful Summer Uni in 2008. If we apply for a grant to run the same activities, will we automatically receive a grant?

No. In fact you will be very unlikely to receive a grant if you are only applying to Summer Uni London to fund what you have run in 2008. In 2009 Summer Uni London will not consider funding a continuation of 2008 activities unless there is a clear improvement/innovation or increased involvement by young people.

13. I have read the conditions of the grant, and don’t agree with some of them. Will that be OK if I get awarded a grant?

No. The conditions are an important part of the grant. They ensure that Summer Uni London keeps control of the grant spend and that it is in line with our own funders’ priorities. They also ensure that there is consistency amongst all the Summer Unis that are awarded a grant. It might be that the Verification Panel asks Summer Uni London to impose additional conditions on a Summer Uni before agreeing to make an award.

14. What is the role of the Verification Panel and who sits on it?

The Verification Panel consists of an independent group of experts, from the private, voluntary and public sectors and Dare London, all of whom have experience of adjudicating on funding applications as well as being familiar with the work of Summer Unis. Following an initial application assessment carried out by Summer Uni London, the Verification Panel will meet to adjudicate on whether Grants should be awarded to applicants.