Funding available for student-staff partnership projects

Students and staff working in partnership can now apply for a £500 funding boost as the annual Partnerships in Learning and Teaching (PLanT) projects scheme opens for applications.

The PLanT scheme provides funding of up to £500 for small-scale collaborative projects where students and staff work as partners to identify problems, find solutions, and enhance teaching and learning at the University.

Please visit the PLanT webpage to view the criteria and guidance and to download the application form. The deadline for applications this year is 17:00 on Monday 11 November 2024.

To get advice on making your applications stand out, you can also join the webinar, Applying for Partnerships in Learning and Teaching (PLanT) project funding, on Thursday 17 October 2024 from 13:00-14:00. We will discuss the application process and criteria and explore what the Selection Panel will be looking for.

Previous funding recipients will share information about their PLanT projects and tips for what makes a successful project and application.

Staff can book their place on UoRLearn. Students can book a place by emailing cqsd-tandl@reading.ac.uk.

Last year’s winners

In 2023/24, the PLanT scheme funded seven projects, including the development of a podcast for first-generation students, work to improve employability engagement in a Politics module, and supporting wellbeing for neurodivergent students in Clinical Language Sciences.

A School of Law project to embed inclusivity and employability in Public Law workshop design also benefited from a PLanT award. Staff project leads Shweta Band and Dr Stuart Lakin said: “Our five student partners successfully addressed student feedback by redesigning Public Law workshops and tutorials to better connect theoretical concepts with real-world applications and diverse learning needs.

“The team is confident that the innovative sessions will mitigate student anxiety and disengagement in Public Law, resulting in a positive impact on student satisfaction engagement and learning.”

Student partners on the project, led by Jana Hamadeh, Charlotte Hudson and Marco Berki, reported enhanced understanding of Public Law by their involvement in the project and benefitted from strengthening key employability attributes like leadership skills, open and strong communication, confidence, leadership in facilitation of focus groups, and building partnerships.

T&L Initiatives Funding also available

We are also welcoming applications for our T&L Initiatives Funding scheme. The scheme aims to support small-scale initiatives across the University that will enhance teaching and learning and/or the student experience. Applications should normally be for £1,500 or less, and they will be considered on a rolling basis. The funding must be spent and cleared by 31 July 2025. Please visit the T&L Initiatives Funding webpage for more information and to download the application form.