The Reach for Excellence programme is piloting an Opportunities Fund designed to help students who would otherwise be unable, for financial reasons, to access extracurricular development opportunities offered by the University of Leeds or external organisations. In appropriate circumstances the Fund can provide help towards the cost of:

Travel costs Clothing (e.g smart attire for a job interview) Attendance fees for courses, conferences or residential training events Accommodation costs associated with a work experience/placement opportunity

Examples of activities that may be funded include (but are not limited to):

Internships, Work Experience and Volunteering Opportunities Attendance at conferences Attendance at summer schools organised by the University of Leeds or another organisation.

Applications for funding in the region of £0 – £200 are normally considered. Awards above £200 can be considered but it is suggested that you contact us before making an application.

In order to be awarded financial support you will be required to demonstrate how you will benefit personally, professionally and academically from the activity. A Committee comprising members

of the staff from the Student Talent Spotting Team will decide whether you will be awarded support. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Please note that although we welcome repeat applicants, priority will normally be given to applicants who have not received an

award from this fund before. Please ensure you have read and fully understood the terms and conditions that are listed on the following page before you submit an application.

Terms and ConditionsBy accessing and using this service, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement. Any participation in this service will constitute acceptance of the following terms and conditions. If you do not agree to any of the following, please do not submit your application.

1. The Opportunities Fund will not consider applications for any of the following: Private or additional tutoring. Any event that covers the same or similar content to that of any Reach for

Excellence session offered during the course of the present cycle. Any costs associated with pre-entry admissions tests, such as the UKCAT, BMAT or

LNAT. UCAS application fees or other associated costs.

2. Successful applicants must submit a 500 word review, which must include at least two photographs, of any activity or event that the Opportunities Fund has provided support for. All content provided can be reproduced at the discretion of the Student Talent Spotting Team for any promotional, reporting or other purpose.

3. Travel costs will only be covered by the Opportunities Fund if public transport is used; taxi fares, petrol costs etc. will not be covered.

4. Any travel costs covered by the fund will not be paid up-front. Successful applicants can either be reimbursed by the Opportunities Fund following the event, or arrange for travel to be booked in advance by the Student Talent Spotting Team on their behalf. The most cost efficient option must be used.

5. If a booking is made it cannot be cancelled; any successful applicants who subsequently withdraw, cancel, or do not attend the activity that has been booked will be liable for the full cost of any tickets, bookings or other items which have already been paid for at the time of cancellation.

- Students who are forced to cancel under exceptional circumstances will not be held liable for any costs incurred, providing that they submit a full and clear explanation for their cancellation and attach any supporting evidence deemed necessary by the Student Talent Spotting Team.

6. Successful applicants to the fund may be awarded full or partial support at the discretion of the selection committee. Applicants must be prepared to meet any remaining costs if they accept a partial funding offer from the Opportunities Fund.

7. The Student Talent Spotting Team reserves the right to amend these terms at any time, without notice or explanation.

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Advice for form completion.

PLEASE READ FULLY BEFORE COMPLETING YOUR FORM.

Practicalities: Make sure all sections of your form are fully completed. Any forms which have information

missing will not be sent to the panel for consideration for an award. We will only consider applications submitted at least one month before the event date unless

there are exceptional circumstances. If short-listed for consideration, your form will be passed to a decision making panel from the

Reach for Excellence team. Ensure that your application is typed and then emailed to m.s.packwood@leeds.ac.uk

Information required: Be as specific as possible when writing about things such as your circumstances, your aspirations

and how you feel taking part in the activity that you are applying for will benefit you. Your application will remain confidential between you and the decision-making panel. Please give as much detail as possible about any financial obstacles or difficulties that would normally stop you from being able to access an opportunity like the one that you are applying for.

In the event of an ‘Opportunities Fund’ bursary being awarded

Please note that all successful ‘Opportunities Fund’ applicants will be required to produce a report on their experiences as well as evidencing any opportunities that they access.

Please note that important correspondence about your application may be via email. Please ensure that an active email address is included on page 4 of this application form.

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Application Form

Personal Details

First Name Click here to enter text.

Surname Click here to enter text.

Mobile telephone number Click here to enter text.

Email address Click here to enter text.

Name of School/College Click here to enter text.

What is the opportunity you are requesting financial support for (please give a description in the box below):

Click here to enter text.

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What are you requesting financial support for:

Activity Amount (£) & description

Travel costsPlease give details of the start and arrival point as well as the number of journeys and the estimated cost per journey as well as a total cost

Amount (£): Click here to enter text.

Description: Click here to enter text.

Course / summer school / event feesPlease give details about the event, the organisation delivering the activity and if possible a link to more information.

Amount (£): Click here to enter text.

Description: Click here to enter text.

Accommodation costsPlease provide the dates that accommodation will be required, the event it will be for, and the estimated total cost.

Amount (£): Click here to enter text.

Description: Click here to enter text.

Other (please describe)

Amount (£): Click here to enter text.

Description: Click here to enter text.

Please tell us a little about any personal circumstances that affect you being able to fund this

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activity yourself.

Click here to enter text.

Please tell us how taking part in this activity will benefit you personally, professionally and academically.

Click here to enter text.

Declaration (please write your initials next to each statement)Click

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I confirm that I have read, understood and agreed to the terms and conditions of the Opportunities Fund that are outlined on page two of this document.

here to enter text.

I understand that if I am successful in my application I may be required to help promote the Fund through various means which could include, but are not limited to, giving interviews to act as case studies in publicity and talking to potential students about how the Fund has been of help to me.

Click here to enter text.

I agree that any funding awarded will be used for the purpose stated within my application and I will be required to submit evidence / receipts proving expenditure.

Click here to enter text.

I agree to submit a report (~500 words) and photographs to the Reach for Excellence team on completion of my chosen activity, which may be used in University of Leeds and Reach for Excellence publicity, and the monthly newsletter.

Click here to enter text.

I agree that the details of my application form and potential award can be shared with the selection committee and Student Talent Spotting Team to ensure payments can be made and applications can be monitored.

Click here to enter text.

Signed: Click here to enter text.

Date: Click here to enter text.

Please return to:

By Email: m.s.packwood@leeds.ac.uk

By Post: The Student Talent Spotting Team, Reach for Excellence Opportunities Fund, Educational Engagement G.04, 18 Blenheim Terrace, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT

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