Community Engagement Fund

The University of Reading’s Community Engagement Fund (CEF) sets aside a total of £30,000 every year to support local charities and community groups’ projects across the Thames Valley region.

In 2026, our centenary year, the University of Reading is partnering with Cellnex. They have donated £20,000 to the Community Engagement Fund to support community projects in the Thames Valley area that specifically relate to environmental sustainability and digital inclusion.

The Community Engagement Fund provides one-off, small awards (usually around £1,000 per year), as well as larger awards (up to a maximum of £10,000 per year) on a one-off or multi-year basis, depending on the project.

University staff members can apply for funding to support projects they are involved with either as part of their job, or in a voluntary capacity, using the online application form. (See guidance notes).

Submitting the application

Applications will be open between 20 April and 21 June 2026.
You must be a University employee to apply for the grant.
The project will need to benefit a community group within the Thames Valley, and to further at least one of the University’s charitable objectives of advancing education, learning or research.
You will need to include a clear budget breakdown of the amount of money you require to deliver your project.
Not all projects are eligible for funding through this scheme. Read the guidance notes to find out more.

What happens next

All funding proposals that meet the criteria will be reviewed by a panel, which will include Professor Robert Van de Noort, the Vice-Chancellor of the University and Molli Cleaver, the University’s Community Engagement Manager.
You might be required to attend an interview, especially if you applied for a larger sum of money and/or for funding over multiple years.
If your application is successful, you’ll be notified in writing in the first week of the University's first semester.
You’ll have to accept the award in writing for the funds to be disbursed. You’ll also be asked to sign an award agreement to confirm that you will adhere to the fund requirements.

Committed to supporting the local community

When initially launched in 2021, the Community Engagement Fund was only available to projects within the Reading area. It has since been expanded to benefit communities within Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.

The Community Engagement Fund forms part of the University’s commitment to working with and supporting the local community. Over the past few years, the scheme has funded different projects supporting sports, education settings, and charities.