Student Project Fund UK 2023

Are you a university student/group currently studying in the UK working on a project and want to take it to the next level?

Enter our Student Project Fund for the potential to win components, tools, and accessories you require to bring your project to life!

The Grass Roots Student Project Fund provides successful applicants with up to £300 of tools, and components from RS.

The application is simple, tell us about the aim of your project, how the fund could help you achieve your objectives, and the proposed impact to the industry if any.

The Student Project Fund is helping Engineering students to become work-ready – we believe hands-on prototyping and experimentation are key to your education journey and want to do all we can to help you develop innovations that may change the world.

We are looking for projects where the addition of a practical element will improve what you can achieve. We are particularly interested in seeing how your project might align with the UN Sustainable Development goals.

What’s on offer?

• Up to £300 (inc. VAT) of products from RS Components – tools or components, whatever you need!

What do we expect from successful applicants?

• Submit your application
• Sign our simple agreement
• Send us a video introducing yourself and your project
• Order your products
• Create your content on DesignSpark

Application criteria

• You must be a registered member of DesignSpark if you are not - register now.
• Aged 18 and over as of the date of entry.
• Enrolled in a full or part-time university Engineering or Technology- related program.
• Resident in the United Kingdom
• Please note, IMechE Formula Student have a separate build fund, and cannot apply for the Student-Project Fund

Judging criteria

Entries shall be judged against the following criteria:

• Impact of your work on your chosen area of research
• Access to facilities and equipment - level of impact the physical/experimental aspect will enhance the project
• Vision for how the fund will help you

Limited funding is available, so ensure you complete the application fully!

Timeline

Previous Winners Example Articles

FAQs

I am working on a project outside my university studies can I apply?

• The Student Project Fund is there to support university students to become work-ready through gaining practical skills as they complete their projects. If you are working on a personal unassessed project alongside your studies you are eligible to apply provided you meet ALL the other requirements.

Does it matter if I am a team or an individual?

• Project teams or individual innovators are equally eligible to apply! Please let us know which one you are in the application.

I am part of an IMechE Formula Student, can I apply for this fund?

• If you are an IMechE Formula Student, there is a separate sponsorship fund for you to apply for which can be found here.
• You are not able to apply for both.

I am not studying at a university in the UK can I still apply?

• Unfortunately not but other parts of the world have their own funds throughout the year.

I am compiling my list of tools and components - do you have any recommendations?

• The Higher Education Electronics page at RS Online is a great place to find some of the most popular products for students.
• You also might be interested in reading this Design Spark article on Top 5 Favourite Project Tools.

I have another question, who can I ask?

• Email the Grass Roots team at grassroots@rs-components.com and will be happy to help you.