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SHSK Society Grants 2026
"The British University Swimming League (BUSL) is thrilled to report on the profound impact of the generous grant we received. As an entirely student-run, non-profit organisation, our core mission is simple: ‘Fun, Affordable, and Inclusive’ university swimming. This funding was critical in helping us achieve those goals."
Amber Lawson-Smith, 2021 leaver
"I am incredibly grateful to have received an SHSK Society grant which enabled me to take our comedy show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival."
Becca Chadder, 2016 leaver
"The SHSK Society grant meant that I could complete my screen writing course at the National Film and Television School which will hopefully advance my career as a writer in the industry"
Tess Lonergan, 2012 leaver
"I was delighted to receive a SHSK Society Grant which helped support an important milestone for my original new musical Heaven Has No Rage. We used the Grant towards the costs of an industry sharing of the musical."
Catherine Chalk, 2015 leaver
"The SHSK Society Grant enabled me to spend two months living and working in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas on an internship with 'Grassroots' - a small NGO working to improve the livelihoods of communities throughout the hill states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh."
Florence Wiggins, 2017 leaver
"I’m very grateful to SHSK for providing me with the Society Grant, as going to AGU (American Geophysical Union), the largest conference in the world for my subject, was a great experience which has hugely shaped the research direction of my PhD. Thank you!"
Philippa Slay, 2014 leaver
"The SHSK Society grant enabled me to gain insights into subsistence farming in Malawi as part of my University of Bristol Global Health BSc course."
Rosie Bartholomew, 2013 leaver
"The British University Swimming League (BUSL) is thrilled to report on the profound impact of the generous grant we received. As an entirely student-run, non-profit organisation, our core mission is simple: ‘Fun, Affordable, and Inclusive’ university swimming. This funding was critical in helping us achieve those goals."
Amber Lawson-Smith, 2021 leaver
"I am incredibly grateful to have received an SHSK Society grant which enabled me to take our comedy show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival."
Becca Chadder, 2016 leaver
"The SHSK Society grant meant that I could complete my screen writing course at the National Film and Television School which will hopefully advance my career as a writer in the industry"
Tess Lonergan, 2012 leaver
"I was delighted to receive a SHSK Society Grant which helped support an important milestone for my original new musical Heaven Has No Rage. We used the Grant towards the costs of an industry sharing of the musical."
Catherine Chalk, 2015 leaver
"The SHSK Society Grant enabled me to spend two months living and working in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas on an internship with 'Grassroots' - a small NGO working to improve the livelihoods of communities throughout the hill states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh."
Florence Wiggins, 2017 leaver
"I’m very grateful to SHSK for providing me with the Society Grant, as going to AGU (American Geophysical Union), the largest conference in the world for my subject, was a great experience which has hugely shaped the research direction of my PhD. Thank you!"
Philippa Slay, 2014 leaver
"The SHSK Society grant enabled me to gain insights into subsistence farming in Malawi as part of my University of Bristol Global Health BSc course."
Rosie Bartholomew, 2013 leaver
The SHSK Society Grants offer financial support to members of our alumnae community, helping them achieve their academic or professional goals. Each grant carries a fixed value of £500. All members of our alumnae community are welcome to apply.
Scroll down for full details. You can apply online by clicking the link below.
CLOSING DATE 31 AUGUST 2026
Higher education or retraining
For alumnae in higher education requiring support with travel or resources associated with their studies, or for those pursuing professional development/training to take their career forwards.
Entrepreneurial initiative
For alumnae seeking support with an entrepreneurial/start-up project, especially initiatives with a social or environmental benefit.
Am I eligible to apply?
All members of the St Helen's alumnae community can apply for a grant.
What is the deadline for applications?
The deadline for application is 31 August 2026.
Can I apply by post?
The quickest and easiest way to apply is online by clicking the box at the bottom of this page, but we also welcome applications by post. Please email alumnae@shsk.org.uk for an application form.
When will I hear if my application has been successful?
Applications will be considered and decisions communicated by the end of Michaelmas term 2026.
What information is required in support of my application?
Please see the information below, specific to each of the award categories.
Higher education or retraining
Applicants will need to provide a breakdown of how the funds would be used; this might include the costs of travel or resources in support of academic research. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the educational benefits they and/or others will gain from being awarded a grant.
A supporting document from the department for the academic work being undertaken will need to be provided as part of the application process. Applicants should provide an outline of how the grant would be used.
Applicants seeking a grant in support of retraining must be able to demonstrate why they and their career would benefit from upskilling. This may be to maximise employability due to a change in circumstances or a decision to take their career in a different direction. Applicants must give a detailed description of their proposed upskilling along with costs of courses or training activities.
Grants cannot be awarded in support of tuition fees for higher education degrees, but rather they are intended to support additional costs associated with a degree course. Examples include travel / resources costs for a higher education research project. In a similar vein, grants in support of training are intended to support the acquisition of professional qualifications rather than tuition fees towards further degrees of higher education.
Entrepreneurial initiative
Applicants will need to provide a detailed proposal, explaining the use of the grant and how this fits within a wider funding context (detailing any other sources of funding). Applications should explain how this project creates value (financial and/or social/and or cultural and/or environmental and/or educational) and how that value will be measured/recognised.
Entrepreneurial projects which have a clear social or environmental benefit will be prioritised.
Who assesses the applications?
Applications will be reviewed by an internal panel overseen by the Head and the successful recipients will be informed by the Alumnae Relations Manager.
All awards are at the discretion of the panel and the panel reserves the right not to make an award if no application is considered strong enough. More than one grant may be awarded in each category.
Would the School like to hear about how I use the grant if I am awarded one?
For each award type, the recipient will be expected to provide a report for the Governors on how the funding has been used. In addition the recipient will be expected to provide a summary for the annual SHSK Society alumnae magazine.
Can a grant be donated to charity?
The grants cannot be used as donations to other charities, however worthy the cause.
If you have any questions about the Grants, please contact the Alumnae Office by email on: alumnae@shsk.org.uk
