What is The Student Ideas Fund?

Are you passionate about the student experience? Do you have an idea to promote and strengthen sustainability, belonging, community, or sharing knowledge? We want to hear from you!

The Student Ideas Fund (SIF) is an exciting collaboration between Leeds University Union, the University of Leeds, and students like you. It supports creative student-led projects- from events and campaigns, to society or faculty initiatives.

Open to all students (individuals or groups), with up to £5000 per idea up for grabs. We’ve got £40,000 to fund ideas this year- last year, we received a total approved funding of £10,316.74, with a total of 51% of applications approved or ‘paused.’ Success!

The fund will relaunch on 6 October 2025 for the 2025/26 academic year, read below about some of our previously funded projects.

Our Impact

“Beyond the Lab Coat” Symposium – LGBTQ+ in STEM

Idea submitted by Ben Fenton

This student-led event celebrated LGBTQ+ identities in STEM, through keynote speeches, panels, presentations, and networking. Starting important conversations within academia, this encouraged early career LGBTQ+ scientists to pursue their professional goals.Fostering community and inclusion, this event benefited more than just students, addressing a critical gap in representation.

The SIF and wider LUU supported this event. The events team offered Pyramid Theatre for a subsidised cost, and Terrace catered the event.

The Reproductive Rights Live Music Fundraiser

Idea submitted by The Reproductive Rights Society

This society-ran live music event, raised awareness, and £700.50 in funds for global reproductive rights charities. The event featured student bands, encouraged student-led advocacy, provided an accessible and engaging way to support a critical social issue, and raised awareness of what the society can do to support those in need. Due to the success, this event will likely run again.

The SIF aided in funding the hire of comedians, technicians, and security for the event, the fund also supported a social media campaign, including the production of city-wide distributed posters.

Esports Society – eSports Tournament

Idea submitted by Jamie Simon on behalf of the eSports Society

This inter-university eSports Varsity event brought together teams from four Leeds universities for a full-day tournament, featuring titles such as Valorant and Overwatch. With live-streamed matches, commentary, and social gaming, it introduced a more inclusive space within Varsity, aiming to engage students who don’t typically participate in traditional sports.

The SIF helped the event to provide hands-on experience in casting, production, and event management, including paid student roles – drawing in 450+ online viewers, and 50+ in-person attendees.

Eligibility

The SIF is made up of generous donations from our alumni, which means that all ideas must hit specific donor wishes. Find out if your idea fits our eligibility criteria, below.

Projects can be one-time initiatives, new concepts, or a relaunch of stalled ideas.
Proposals must not duplicate existing funding opportunities.
Proposals must not contravene UoL/LUU policies.
Funding excludes personal academic research, scholarships, and direct financial benefits to the applicant.
Proposals will not support projects that should be supported by existing or ‘core’ funding (e.g the replacement of old equipment)
Projects where other sources of funding are available or appropriate, including direct Service/School/Faculty funding, won’t be supported.
Projects that require several years of funding will only be funded for their initial launch or relaunch.
Staff and/or commission costs will not be funded.

Once you have submitted your initial idea form, our team members will check if it is eligible, and let you know your next steps.

Questions? Contact us: events@luu.ac.uk