All University of Nottingham students and sports clubs are eligible to apply, though funding for final-year students will only be granted in exceptional cases. You can only submit one application per academic year.

For the 2025/26 academic year, students or sports clubs can apply for up to 75% of the total course cost, up to £300 per person.

If your course involves split or modular payments, please contact the Leadership Team to discuss before applying.

We recommend that individuals or clubs discuss their proposals in advance with the Volunteering and Leadership Academy team.

Students who have been awarded financial support from our Qualification Fund will be required to commit to a certain number of hours based on the amount awarded. Please see below for details. 

The Qualification Fund opens at the beginning of the academic year (September) and remains open until the funding is fully allocated.

Applications must be submitted prior to the course start date. No funding will be provided retroactively to students or clubs who have not signed a funding agreement before beginning their qualification.

Once you've submitted your application, you'll receive a decision within 2 weeks.

Applications are reviewed individually and assessed based on factors such as previous applications by the student or club, the needs of the club, and available internal budget.

If your application is successful, you or your club must pay for the course upfront, and you’ll be reimbursed the agreed amount later. Reimbursement claims must be made within 3 months of your application and reimbursements will not be issued after June 2026.

Before receiving funding, you’ll be required to sign a Volunteer Agreement, which outlines the minimum number of volunteering hours based on your funding level. Volunteering can take place through your club, via the Leadership Academy, or with a community organisation.

All volunteering hours must be logged via our Volunteering and Leadership Academy portal- these hours can also be used to claim rewards.

You’ll be expected to complete both your qualification and the required volunteering hours within 9 months of signing your Volunteer Agreement. You may also be asked to share your coaching or volunteering experience as part of your involvement with UoN Sport.

For more information or to discuss your application, please contact: bex.alexander@nottingham.ac.uk