College Support

Apply for funds via Student Forms.

College offers financial support for Downing students on a full-time course of study only. This can include funds to support your studies, such as reimbursement for books or travel, as well as funds to help you in times of unexpected financial difficulty. Please apply via student forms. Please be reminded this applies to full-time students only and for undergraduates normally expected to submit claims for financial assistance in relation to term time costs only.  

In advance of applying, please let your Tutor know if you are making any application for funding from College, 

If you are a full-time student and wish to request for College to assist with costs relating to a screening or a medical diagnostic assessment, please obtain a letter to confirm your GP recommends this, and email this to the: nurse@dow.cam.ac.uk requesting College support this.

Please note: it is not expected for Downing postgraduate students receiving a fully Funded Studentship or a Cambridge Trust Award, such as a Doctoral Training Partnership Award, a Research Funded Award or a Gates Scholarship to apply for College funds. 

Cut off dates for eligibility is where applications received or relate to activities taking place after these dates will not be accepted:

  • Undergraduate students - after the completion of course requirements.
  • Masters' students - after the completion of course requirements/course completion date, whichever is sooner.
  • PhD students - after the submission of their soft-bound thesis. 

Details of College applications you can make

COLLEGE APPLICATION 

 

INFORMATION APPLICATION PROCESS

Course materials reimbursement:

BOOKS

The maximum amount awarded in total as a contribution towards your course materials BOOKS is normally £300 per registered course.

 

The £300 contribution is the total sum you can receive for applications submitted for books and other course material costs during your course of study.

 

In addition, and for those who require financial assistance and are unable to cover such costs themselves applications may be submitted for a further £300 to contribute to a replacement or repair of a laptop. Should a contribution of £300 for other devices, such as a tablet be requested, and no previous application has been submitted in relation to the costs of a laptop, these can be considered if your Department advises on their webpage the specifications as to what items are essential for your particular course of study and this link is included in your application. If no link is available, please ask your Faculty or Departmental Office to confirm with you by email the item you are seeking funding for is essential for your particular course of study and include this email in your application.

 

*Please note, undergraduate students who have course changes formally approved by the College's Education Committee are entitled to a further £300 to purchase books and materials for their new course of study.    This does not apply to students who undertake an intercalated 3rd or 4th year of study in a different subject.

Applications welcomed from undergraduate and postgraduate students.

 

Please note: Claims to purchase books that are available in the College Library will not be approved.

 

Apply via Student Forms

 

Course materials reimbursement:

MUSIC LESSONS

To assist undergraduates reading Music only.

College will make a contribution of up to £420 (Year 1), £500 (Year 2) or £700 (Year 3) towards the cost of vocal or instrumental tuition if taking the recital option as part of the Music Tripos.

Applications welcomed from undergraduate MUSIC students only.

 

Apply via Student Forms.

Course materials reimbursement:

OTHER

The maximum amount awarded in total as a contribution towards essential Course Materials not covered by your Department is normally £300 per registered course.

 

The £300 contribution is the total sum you can receive for applications submitted for books and other course material costs during your course of study.

 

In addition, and for those who require financial assistance and are unable to cover such costs themselves applications may be submitted for a further £300 to contribute to a replacement or repair of a laptop. Should a contribution of £300 for other devices, such as a tablet be requested, and no previous application has been submitted in relation to the costs of a laptop, these can be considered if your Department advises on their webpage the specifications as to what items are essential for your particular course of study and this link is included in your application. If no link is available, please ask your Faculty or Departmental Office to confirm with you by email the item you are seeking funding for is essential for your particular course of study and include this email in your application.

 

*Please note, undergraduate students who have course changes formally approved by the College's Education Committee are entitled to a further £300 to purchase books and materials for their new course of study.  

Applications welcomed from undergraduate and postgraduate students who require financial assistance and are unable to cover such essential costs themselves.     

 

College does not cover costs such as for paper, pens etc.

 

Applicants need to make clear in any application that they confirm that the Department is not able to cover any such essential costs.

 

Apply via Student Forms.

Help with unexpected financial difficulties

(previously known as hardship funds)

Applications can be made by Undergraduate and Postgraduate students at any time of the academic year who seek financial assistance due to an unforeseen financial need, and are able to demonstrate that this has placed them in a financial difficulty.

 

The maximum amount awarded is normally no more than £500 per term. 

 

Postgraduates who may overrun with their thesis completion/submissions due to acceptable reasons may apply.

PhD students who are able to demonstrate they are unable cover the cost of binding a hardbound copy of their thesis for  the University Library may apply for a contribution from College of up to £80 to cover this cost.   If you are based in one of the following Departments,  Astronomy,  Earth Sciences, History and Philosophy of Science or the Judge Business School and you provide confirmation in your application of the Department requirement to submit  a second copy, applications will be considered up to the sum of £160.         

Applications welcomed from undergraduate and postgraduate students who seek financial assistance due to an unforeseen financial need.  You will need to demonstrate in a detailed budget that the expense has placed you in a financial difficulty . Please ensure you provide detailed information as to what is unforeseen in your application.

 

It is normally expected for undergraduates to submit claims for financial assistance in relation to term time costs only.  

 

Apply via Student Forms.

 

You may also wish to refer to University-wide and External Financial Support | Downing College Cambridge

BAME Solidarity Fund

To assist undergraduate students of colour with their welfare, by contributing towards the cost of mental health support. 

This fund of £5000 was established by the JCR, in response to the Black Lives Matter protests of Summer 2020, and the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on communities of colour.  Applications can be made at any time until the fund is depleted.

 

Students can claim up to £50 per application.
This fund can be used to cover expenses including but not limited to:

  • A private counselling trial session
  • Self-help provisions
  • Wellbeing subscription services

Applications welcomed from undergraduate students only.

 

Apply via Student Forms.

The LGBT+ Fund

This fund of £1500 was established by the JCR to support the wellbeing of LGBT+ students at Downing and can be applied to for therapy costs, gender affirming clothes, travel to clinics etc. Anyone who identifies as LGBT+ can apply. The fund is £1,500 which is the largest out of all LGBT+ specific funds in Cambridge colleges.

 

There is currently a cap of £50 per individual applicant.

Applications welcomed from undergraduate students only.

 

Apply via Student Forms.

Language course reimbursement

Applications are considered when a student has enrolled and paid for a course on the Cambridge University Language Programme (CULP), or via another agreed route.  

 

Please note that applications can be considered for up to half the cost of any agreed course but will need to be repaid if the course is not completed or the course is not passed. The maximum amount one student can claim in an academic year would not normally exceed £250. 

Applications welcomed from undergraduate and postgraduate students.

 

Apply via Student Forms.

Travel expenses reimbursement

Please note, claims for the cost of accommodation, conference registration fees, as well as travel expenses, will be considered.

 

*Undergraduates: see table below

 

**Postgraduates: see table below

 Grants from the University are sometimes available on application to relevant University Departments or Faculties to help with the cost of certain courses or field-work/internships organised by Departments and Faculties, or with travel abroad which is deemed necessary for the particular University course being followed. 

 

Please consult the list of approved vacation courses, which is also known as the 'Pink List', to first determine if you are eligible to apply for funding from your Department or Faculty. 

 

Courses appearing on this list are not eligible for support from the College.

Applications are open all year and are welcomed from undergraduate and postgraduate students.

 

Apply via Student Forms.

*Undergraduate applications submitted to College are divided into three categories:

 

A: Academic; B: Academically related; and C: Non-academic.

 

Please note, category B applications may be upgraded to the category A rate should the Vacation Study or Travel Grant make up less than a quarter of the projected total costs.  This only applies if no other external funding is obtained.  Category A grants awarded may be increased at the Senior Tutor's discretion.

 

**Postgraduate applications submitted are allocated according to the table below. 

 

NHS Prescription Charge Fund

To assist undergraduate students by contributing towards the cost of NHS prescription charges 

A pilot fund of £2000 was agreed by the JCR to support students with the costs of NHS prescriptions only.  

 

Applications can be made at any time until the fund is depleted.

 

Students can claim a maximum of £57.90 per year per student, which is 6 regular prescriptions (£9.65 each) or money towards a prescription prepaid certificate. 

 

Please note confidentiality would be maintained and no prescription details would be seen by students

Applications welcomed from undergraduate students only.

Do not provide any medical details in your application.

 

Apply via Student Forms.

 

*Travel expenses reimbursement for Undergraduates per course of study

Please be reminded to consult the list of approved vacation courses, known as the 'Pink List', to first determine if you are eligible to apply for funding from your Department or Faculty. Courses appearing on this list are not eligible for support from College.

CATEGORY

 

A B C MAXIMUM SUM awarded per course of study £750
  £750 £300 £0  

**Travel expenses reimbursement for full-time Postgraduates per course of study

A change has been agreed by the College Education Committee with effect from 1 October 2023. This change relates to travel taken with effect from 1 October 2023 going forward only. (If you have previously submitted an application for travel in this period, and had this approved, a supplementary application will be considered as long as you make this clear on the application form).

Please be reminded travel costs will not be agreed for PhD students in relation to travel following the submission of a soft-bound thesis or for Masters' students after the completion of the course requirements/course completion date, whichever is sooner.

COURSE

 

MAXIMUM SUM awarded per course of study 
Clinical Medicine or Veterinary Studies £900
MPhil or other Full-time Masters programmes £300
PhD  £1200

Other College funds subject to application

Name and purpose

 

Eligibility and typical amount awarded Application information

Charlie Ellington Fund

[Small grants to undertake field trips and laboratory-based research outside of Term]

Current undergraduate reading Part IA, IB or Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos in Biological Sciences

 

At least two awards of up to a maximum of £1,000

£1,000*

Apply by 22 April 2024

Award information

Apply online

John Butterfield Harvard Award

Harvard University

[Summer School Course, Visiting Student Programme, Masters' or Doctor's Programme, or any other appropriate academic course qualifies]

Current undergraduate or postgraduate

 

At least one award of up to a maximum of £5,000

£4,290*

Apply by 22 April 2024

Award information

Apply online

John Maples America Fund

United States of America

[Travel and maintenance costs of a summer placement, internship, or other vacation study project in the US in the broad area of business, law, politics or international relations]

Current undergraduate, postgraduate or just graduated

 

At least one Scholarship of up to a maximum of £2,000

£2,000*

Apply by 22 April 2024

Award information

Apply online

The Howard Foundation Postgraduate Travel Scholarships

National or International

[Travel and accommodation costs, as well as registration fees, to attend an academic conference or meeting]

Current postgraduate in STEM subject

 

At least one Scholarship of up to a maximum of £2,000

£2,000*

Apply by 23 April 2024

Award information

Apply online

The Matthews/McKinley Travel Fund

North America

[Travel costs and registration fees to attend an academic conference to either present a poster or give an oral presentation in the fields of Chemical Engineering, Engineering or Natural Sciences, although not exclusively]

Current undergraduate or postgraduate

 

At least one award of up to a total of £800.00

£670.00*

Apply by 23 April 2024

Award information

Apply online

Oon Khye Beng Ch'hia Tsio Grants

[Small project grants to assist research in any aspect of Preventive Medicine]

Current undergraduate or postgraduate

Apply by 20 May 2024

Award information

Apply online

Oon, Percy Lander and Treherne

[Studentships to fund a specific research or training need in Preventative Medicine]

Current postgraduate entering the 2nd or 3rd year of their PhD studies

At least one Studentship

£1,500 [Percy Lander and Treherne]

£2,000 [Oon]

Apply by 31 July 2024

Award information

Apply online

The College also offers a number of Bursaries, Scholarships and Studentships to fund the cost of courses commencing in the 2023-2024 academic year; either in part or in full, to enable students to continue their education in the following subject areas:

Name and purpose

 

Eligibility and typical amount awarded Application information

Angharad Dodds John

Bursary in Mental Health and Neuropsychiatry

[Residence costs to enable student to undertake further research and scholarship for an additional year in Cambridge]

Current postgraduate in the University of Cambridge entering the final 3rd or 4th year of their PhD studies

 

One award of £12,500 to assist with residence costs post-submission

Apply by 7 May 2024

Award information

Apply online

Glynn Jones

Scholarship in Business and Management Education

[The cost or part-cost of a postgraduate course at Cambridge University or other institution in this country or abroad of not more than two years' duration]

Current undergraduate, postgraduate or alumni

 

At least one partially or fully-funded scholarship

£14,070*

Apply by 30 May 2024

Award information

Apply online

As well as the above courses, the College also offers a number of entry level Scholarships and Studentships to fund the cost of courses, either in part or in full, which are administered and awarded externally, as follows:

Cambridge UK Masters' Scholarships - The Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust

Applicants from the UK, with 'home' fee status, applying for MPhil programmes in the following subjects will be eligible for these awards, provided they

  • Apply by the Graduate Funding deadline for their chosen course of study, and be offered conditional admission to the University of Cambridge;
  • Tick the box to apply for funding, and fill in the Cambridge Trust section of the online form, as part of their application for admission through the University's Applicant Portal.

Therefore, in summary, to be eligible for consideration in the Graduate Funding Competition, an application to study and supporting documents need to be submitted via the above Applicant Portal by the relevant deadlines, as well as completing the funding section to indicate that you wish to be considered for funding.  Awards are made automatically by the Cambridge Trust as part of this process.

Name and purpose

 

Eligibility and typical amount awarded Application information

Alf Monk

Studentship in English

[Partially-funded Masters' course at Downing]

UK applicants with 'Home' fee status for one-year MPhil course of study

One studentship of £12,000 [£6,000 paid by College, £6,000 paid by the Cambridge Trust]

Variable funding deadlines dependent upon application subject

No separate application form required, assessed as part of the Masters' application process via the Graduate Funding Competition

Award and application information

John Whitworth

Postgraduate Studentship in Natural Sciences or Geography

One studentship of £12,000 [£6,000 paid by College, £6,000 paid by the Cambridge Trust]

Variable funding deadlines dependent upon application subject

No separate application form required, assessed as part of the Masters' application process via the Graduate Funding Competition

Award and application information

Percy Lander

Studentship in Medical Sciences with a preference for Cancer/Chemotherapy

[Partially-funded Masters' course at Downing]

UK applicants with 'Home' fee status for one-year MPhil course of study

One studentship of £12,000 [£6,000 paid by College, £6,000 paid by the Cambridge Trust]

Variable funding deadlines dependent upon application subject

No separate application form required, assessed as part of the Masters' application process via the Graduate Funding Competition

Award and application information

Robson

Studentship in Electrical Sciences

[Partially-funded Masters' course at Downing]

 

UK applicants with 'Home' fee status for one-year MPhil course of study

One studentship of £12,000 [£6,000 paid by College, £6,000 paid by the Cambridge Trust]

Variable funding deadlines dependent upon application subject

No separate application form required, assessed as part of the Masters' application process via the Graduate Funding Competition

Award and application information

Sutcliffe

Studentship in Maritime Archaeology

[Partially-funded Masters' course at Downing]

UK applicants with 'Home' fee status for one-year MPhil course of study

One studentship of £12,000 [£6,000 paid by College, £6,000 paid by the Cambridge Trust]

Variable funding deadlines dependent upon application subject

No separate application form required, assessed as part of the Masters' application process via the Graduate Funding Competition

Award and application information

The following competitions will only be advertised and opened for student applications by College should an award not be made as part of the above process by the Cambridge Trust in any given year:

Name and purpose

 

Eligibility and typical amount awarded Application information

Alf Monk

Studentship in English

[Partially-funded Postgraduate course]

Undergraduate, postgraduate or alumni

[Conditional upon the recipient becoming a member of Downing if not already a member]

One studentship of up to £6,000

£5,500* [mean over 4 years]

Currently Closed

Historic award information

Apply online

[Please note, this competition will only open for applications in a given year if funds remain unallocated by the Graduate Funding Competition above]

Robson

Studentship in Electrical Sciences

[Partially-funded Postgraduate course]

 

Undergraduate, postgraduate or alumni

[Conditional upon the recipient becoming a member of Downing, if not already a member]

At least one Studentship up to a maximum of £11,000

£4,000* [mean over 4 years]

Currently Closed

Historic award information

Apply online

[Please note, this competition will only open for applications in a given year if funds remain unallocated by the Graduate Funding Competition above]

John Whitworth

Postgraduate Studentship in Natural Sciences or Geography

[Fully-funded postgraduate course to the level of home fees]

Current undergraduate, postgraduate or alumni

Currently Closed

Historic award information

[Please note, this competition will only open for applications in a given year if funds remain unallocated by the Graduate Funding Competition above]

The Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust also administer the following awards on behalf of the College:

Name and purpose

 

Eligibility and typical amount awarded Application information

Stephen Fleet

Scholarship in any subject area

[Honorary title bestowed in memory of Stephen Fleet, the former Master of Downing and Treasurer of the Cambridge Trust]

Cambridge Trust award holder at Downing

[Not a funded Scholarship]

 

No separate application form required, assessed as part of the application process via the Graduate Funding Competition

The Tazaki Cambridge

Studentships in Computer Science or other related subjects with a strong Computer Science element

[Fully-funded Postgraduate course]

 

Japanese nationals

[Eligible students in any College (or none) at the University of Cambridge and not conditional upon the recipient becoming a member of Downing]

At least one fully-funded Studentship

Currently Closed

 

The Department of Plant Sciences administer the following award with the College as part of their admissions' process:

Name and purpose

 

Eligibility and typical amount awarded Application information

Ralph Lewin - F E Fritsch

Prize Studentship in Phycology (the study of algae)

[Fully-funded Postgraduate course at the Department of Plant Sciences]

UK and EU applicants with a 'Home' fee status intending to register for the PhD Degree in the Department of Plant Sciences

 

One fully-funded studentship, tenable for up to three years

[All College and University Fees, as well as a contribution towards research expenses and a living allowance]

£20,406* in 2014-2015

Award information

Apply online

Variable funding deadlines dependent upon application subject via the Graduate Funding Competition

Please contact the Graduate Student Administrator at the Department of Plant Sciences for further information

The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission administers the following award as a Marshall Scholarship on behalf of the College:

Name and purpose

 

Eligibility and typical amount awarded Application information

Parke Davis

Studentship in Biological Science

[Fully-funded postgraduate course at Downing]

Available to citizens of the United States (at the time of application) with an 'Overseas' fee status for a postgraduate course of study.

Full candidate evaluation criteria and eligibility

Award information

Apply online

Closing date is early October of year preceding tenure

Please contact the  Marshall Scholarship Administrator for further information

Jardine Foundation Scholarships administered by the Jardine Foundation:

Name and purpose

 

Eligibility and typical amount awarded Application information

Jardine Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship

Undergraduate course at Downing [non-subject specific]

Undergraduate offer holder

The Jardine Foundation offers students from Cambodia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, full-ride and bond-free scholarships to study at Downing College. The goal is to develop future leaders who will give back to their communities.  

Fully-funded scholarships [to cover the range of fees and expenses necessary to support studies]

Jardine Foundation
Competition Information
Eligibility Criteria
Application Information

Opens for 2025 applicants in mid-August 2024

Jardine Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship

Postgraduate course at Downing [non-subject specific]

Postgraduate offer holder

[Applicants must be resident in any of the countries or territories in which the Jardine Matheson Group has significant business interests]

 

One scholarship [sufficient to cover University and College fees and an annual stipend to cover accommodation costs, reasonable living expenses, UK Immigration Health Surcharge and travel expenses to and from College at the beginning and end of the course]

Jardine Foundation

Competition Information

Application Form

[Application documents will be emailed to eligible candidates in February/March; completed forms should be emailed to the Postgraduate Admissions Tutor at Downing College]

 

Closing date: 19 March 2024

 

Please contact the Jardine Foundation for further queries

Other College funding by Course not subject to application

Subject and fund name

 

Information

 

Typical amount awarded

Application process

ECONOMICS

Ivor Evans Fund

To assist undergraduates reading Economics from certain maintained schools in West Wales Criteria is widened to all subjects and the whole of Wales if no eligible undergraduates in the above category Up to £1200 per annum is distributed equally between qualifying students No Application Form - Awarded automatically in the Michaelmas Term

ENGLISH

Denham Fund

To assist undergraduates reading English with a contribution towards the purchase of academic books relevant to the course

Year 1 [ELP1] - Amount per student to be confirmed

Year 2 [ELT1] - Amount per student to be confirmed

Year 3 [ELT2] - Amount per student to be confirmed

No Application Form - Each student coming into residence in the Michaelmas Term will be considered to receive the amount specified in a specific year