Wellbeing Grants

The Faculty of Science is seeking applications to fund proactive, student-led activities and initiatives to enhance our students' health and wellbeing. If you have a great idea, we'll help you realise it.

The Wellbeing Grants are funded by the Faculty of Science and a generous donation from Cybec Foundation towards Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student projects.

Objectives

The Student Wellbeing Grants objectives include:

  • Raising awareness of the importance of maintaining physical and mental health
  • Fostering student engagement in activities that promote their physical and mental health
  • Providing opportunities for students to bond with one another through shared activities
  • Enhancing the cohort experience of Faculty of Science students

Priority will be given to:

  • Temporary student groups formed with the specific intention of delivering an initiative
  • Projects that encourage inclusion and celebrate diversity
  • Ideas that involve participation in community and charitable activities.

Projects will be awarded in two categories:

  • In person activities
  • Online/remote activities

Funding can be used for, but is not limited to:

  • Prizes for contests
  • Materials for art/craft/building activities
  • Payment to a professional instructor to lead an activity

Examples of activities:

  • Photography or short film festival
  • Cooking or craft activities
  • Fitness challenges

Selection Guidelines

Grants will be shortlisted by each respective Student Wellbeing Grants Selection Committee.

Once the Committee agrees on a shortlist, the Committee will survey students in SAF, DVM and other Science schools respectively with their preferences for the initiatives to be funded.

While the Committee will take into account the preferences of students, the Committee reserves the right to fund specific projects.

The Committee’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

Funding will be distributed as soon as practicable according to University payment cycles.

In shortlisting, the Committee will consider how the intended projects:

  • Provide meaningful collaboration opportunities for the maximum number of students
  • Seek to improve mental health awareness
  • Promote physical and mental wellbeing
  • Encourage diversity and social inclusion activities
  • Complement the curriculum of respective courses

The Committee will be responsible for the administration of applications and funding for these projects.

These guidelines are provided to ensure that the process for applying for these Grants is clear and transparent.

Information regarding successful Grant recipients will be conveyed to students via email and social media.

How to apply

Applications for the 2023 Wellbeing Grants are now open!  Applications will close 11.59pm Friday 29 September.

Please follow this link to fill out the application survey.

For queries and application assistance, please contact us.

Applications will be acknowledged via email immediately. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 30 minutes of submission, please contact us to confirm that your application has been received.

Successful applicants will be contacted via email.

School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences

Seven grants are being offered:

  • 2 x $1250 grants
  • 5 x $500 grants

Melbourne Veterinary School

Seven grants are being offered:

  • 4 x $750 grants
  • 3 x $1,500 grants

Faculty of Science - Other Schools

Ten grants are being offered:

  • 6 x $500 grants
  • 4 x $250 grants

Please note:

  • All proposals for in-person activities must include a contingency arrangement, in the event that Covid restrictions may be reimposed.
  • Group applications are encouraged, but all students must be enrolled in one of the programs above.
  • Individuals or groups may be affiliated with, or a representative of, a University of Melbourne student club or society, however, this is not required.
  • Grants may not be used to purchase alcohol or tobacco products.
  • Funding will be on a one-off basis with no additional funding provided.
  • Grants are to be dispensed during Semester 2, 2023, with all activities being completed by 31 December 2023.
  • Grants are not for the purchase of assets for groups or individuals unless explicitly approved in writing by the Committee.
  • Grants are not for research projects.
  • Grants do not count towards academic credit, and they must not be part of any assessments for subjects.
  • Applications must have one lead student, who will be the main contact for the application.
  • Original itemised and dated receipts are required to support the financial acquittal of the grant. Expenditure without receipts must be accounted for with a completed and witnessed statutory declaration. Unspent funds of >$100 will either need to be reallocated or returned to the University. The University reserves the right to initiate legal proceedings regarding any unspent funds.
  • Unallocated SAF funds will be directed to DVM projects in the event there are more applications than grants.

Apply Here!

Acquittal of grants

Funded initiatives must be substantially completed within 21 days of the activity’s completion.

Unused funds must be returned to the faculty.

Following the completion of the project, a short online Grant Acquittal Form must be completed by the project lead.

At conclusion of the activity, the project lead must provide a short PowerPoint presentation, using a presentation template that will be provided by the Student Experience Team, detailing an overview of the delivered activities.

Examples of past presentations are available for:

  • Dolphin Swim
  • Embroidery Workshop
  • Diversity and Inclusion Presentation

The presentation can include photos, video, audio, and testimonials from participants.

The presentation will be forwarded to the Grants benefactor for their interest.

The project lead may be asked to present to the Committee and/or students and staff.

The Committee reserves the right to use presentations for promotional purposes, such as social media, unless advised otherwise by students within the team.

Following completion of the Acquittal Form and provision of the presentation, a Certificate of Merit and Appreciation will be presented to Team Leaders involved in organising a funded project.