Assessment criteria

Grant applications for projects will be assessed against the following criteria:

• the project should fit within one or more of the following activity categories: 
  • social and cohort building activities for our students
  • career and skills building
  • academic enhancement opportunities
  • engaging with community and culture projects
• it has a positive impact on our student cohort by developing graduate qualities, fostering social connections, belonging, community, sustainable practices, and wellbeing on campus
• it should be open to all students to participate in, regardless of faculty or school or society membership, with the exception of initiatives for the Dalyell grant stream. In the Dalyell Scholars stream, projects must be open to all Dalyell Scholars to participate in, regardless of faculty or University school.
• projects should be unique and distinguishable from existing initiatives. Established events may only be considered for funding where the Student Life Grant funding is shown to increase the scale and impact of the event.
• projects should consider strategies to minimise financial and student safety risk. If a project is assessed as having moderate or high levels of risk, it will be considered ineligible for funding.
• projects should consider how sustainable practices will be incorporated into project planning and delivery, especially in relation to purchasing of items, and waste minimisation.
• projects that consider equity and strategies for engaging diverse student groups will be highly regarded
• the declaration of external interests you’ll complete as part of the application form will also be considered.

Applications from students or student groups who have an ongoing project funded by a Student Life Grant will not be considered. Priority will be given to new, innovative projects that have not previously been funded by Student Life Grants. Applications to re-run projects that have previously been funded must outline how the project will be updated or reimagined. Funding is awarded to individual students, not to a student club or society, therefore it is not transferable. 

Welcome Stream applications should be aligned within the context of the University Welcome Program. Events which activate our campus spaces with innovative experiences will be highly regarded.

Dalyell Stream applications should focus on directly engaging the Dalyell Scholars Cohort and describe the projected outcomes for Dalyell Scholar students as a result of attending an event. Projects which focus on engaging students across their faculty and disciplinary bounds will be highly regarded.

Celebrating 175 Years Special Stream must incorporate a way to showcase and activate and an iconic University of Sydney location (however this can be done across any of the University’s campuses).