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Make it Happen Fund
Developing a project or attending an interview, work experience or conference can come with a cost. Apply for funding to help support you.
About the fund
Our Make It Happen Fund supports Newcastle University students and recent graduates to take the next step in their career development.
You can use a Make it Happen Fund bursary to enhance your skills and experience or to access and create opportunities.
Funding is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis. You can only apply for one bursary per year.
Who is it for?
- current Newcastle University students - all subjects and stages
- recent graduates - up to 12 months after graduation
You can apply for funding to support with the costs of:
- attending interviews and work experience
- attending a conference
- funding a project or initiative
Funding for interviews and work experience
Funding is available to support with the costs of:
- travelling to job interviews, assessment centres or work experience
- accommodation needed to attend a job interview, assessment centre or work experience
- buying new clothes for a job interview or assessment centre
We recommend asking the employer if they can cover travel or accommodation costs for interviews before applying.
Funding can't be used for food and drink or other subsistence costs.
For travel expenses, it is expected that the funding will be used to cover the costs of using public transport, but mileage can be claimed at the rate of 45p per mile for private car journeys.
For students who meet additional criteria* funding is available to relocate to a new area for a new job.
How much is available?
- up to £150 is available for work experience, interviews and assessment centres. A maximum of £50 is available for clothes
- up to £250 is available for relocation costs
Application criteria
Work experience
- If your work experience has already taken place, it must have taken place within the last three months.
- The work experience should be unpaid or low paid.
- The funding is intended for travel and accommodation costs that are not already covered by an employer.
- The work experience activity cannot be part of your degree course, for academic credit, a conference or an external qualification.
- It also should not be part of a Careers Service work experience scheme, such as our term-time internships.
- The activity should be within the UK.
- The activity can take place during term time or vacations.
Interviews and assessment centres
- If your interview or assessment centre has already taken place, it must have taken place within the last three months.
- You will need to provide your invitation to interview or assessment centre.
- The funding is intended for travel and accommodation costs that are not already covered by an employer and you may be asked for evidence of this.
- You will need to provide evidence of any payments you have already made, or expect to make.
*Students who meet any one of the following criteria can apply for a bursary of up to £250 to support with the costs of relocation:
- entered the University through the PARTNERS programme
- entered the University through the Realising Opportunities programme
- be in receipt of the Opportunity Scholarship from Newcastle University
- be in receipt of the Care Leaver Bursary from Newcastle University
- be in receipt of the Student Parent Bursary from Newcastle University
- be in receipt of a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or DSA
- be a Mature Student (you were aged 21 or over on your first day at university)
- have declared a Disability or Specific Learning Difficulty to the university
- have a home address representative of a Low HE Participation Neighbourhood
- have experienced time in care
- from a Black or Minority Ethnic group and prior to university attended a state school/college in the UK
- be a Student Carer (with sole or shared responsibility for the care of a relative due to illness, a disability, mental distress or substance abuse)*
- if either/both of your parents/carers are serving or have served in the armed forces at key educational times or you have previously served in the armed forces yourself*
- estranged and living independently of your family/carers due to a relationship breakdown*
- from a Gypsy Roma travelling community*
- have refugee status*
- have experienced extreme personal and extenuating circumstances*
Funding for projects and initiatives
Funding is available to cover costs associated with extracurricular projects, for example:
- NUSU projects
- art projects
- organising an exhibition, event or conference
- extra-curricular research trips
- community projects
Projects could contribute to your overall student experience, build skills and experience related to your field of study or career interest or have a positive impact for the wider community.
How much is available?
Up to £500 is available.
Application criteria
- Projects should be student-led and extra-curricular, they should not be part of your degree programme or contribute towards academic credit.
- Projects should not be a regular or recurring event, be a way to fund a charity or pose a risk to the reputation of the University in any way.
- You will need to provide evidence of any payments already made, as well as any payments you expect to make.
Application criteria
- the conference must be in the UK
- we can only provide funding if you are not receiving funding from another source
- you will need to provide evidence of any payments you have already made or expect to make
- if the conference has already taken place, it must have been within the last three months
You can apply using our online form.
Please read our Make it Happen Fund Terms and Conditions before applying.
Once you have applied, please allow 5 working days for a reply.
For any questions please contact mihf@newcastle.ac.uk.