UCL Grand Challenges Grant for Student Societies

Empowering UCL Students to Shape a Better Future

To celebrate UCL’s 200th anniversary, UCL Grand Challenges is partnering with Students’ Union UCL to launch a brand-new fund designed to support student clubs and societies in bringing Grand Challenge thinking to life across campus. 

Through this initiative, we’re inviting student groups to create innovative, engaging, and inclusive activities that inspire the UCL community and explore real-world issues through the lens of UCL’s Grand Challenges: 

• Mental Health & Wellbeing 
• Climate Crisis 
• Data-Empowered Societies 
• Inequalities 
• Cultural Understanding 

What is UCL Grand Challenges? 

UCL Grand Challenges brings together diverse expertise across UCL to tackle complex global, national and local issues through interdisciplinary, collaborative research and education. The programme funds and supports innovative projects that cross disciplinary boundaries, fostering partnerships in research, education and industry. Centred around five academically led themes, UCL Grand Challenges is open to everyone in the UCL community and beyond. 

Funding Available 

Student groups can apply for up to £2,500 to deliver projects or events that connect their passions and disciplines to one or more of the Grand Challenge themes. 

Who Can Apply 

To be eligible: 

• Your project must address at least one Grand Challenge theme 

• Activities should be open to all UCL students 

• Events must take place during this academic year 
   
• Activies should be innovative, engaging and inclusive, and inspiring the wider UCL community about UCL Grand Challenges

• Applications must be submitted by the President or Treasurer of a club or society affiliated to the Students’ Union UCL 

Inspire Change on Campus: Share Your Big Idea 

We’re looking for creative, community-focused ideas that make an impact. Examples might include: 

• A spoken word night exploring climate justice and sustainability at UCL 

• A sports tournament celebrating global cooperation and inclusion 

• A podcast series on the future of education, data, and technology 

Whether you’re sparking conversations, building community, or driving change, your ideas can help make UCL a more connected and compassionate place. 

How to Apply 

Work with the President or Treasurer of your society to submit the Grant Application Form via the Students’ Union UCL website and select ‘Grand Challenges Fund’. 

If your club or society receives funding, you’ll be asked to share a short Grant Funding Story by the end of the academic year to showcase your project’s impact.