Funding Motions
Funding motions are perhaps the most well-known function of the JCR, and can be used to support a variety of causes and student endeavours.
Typically, the JCR allocates £800 every term for funding motions. Funding motions are proposed for the agenda of every General Meeting, and would be debated on during the meeting - you'll need a proposer and a seconder, who must both be at the Meeting to observe all proceedings.
Funding is oftentimes requested for student societies and activities such as theatre productions or other one-off events. Usually we restrict the available funding per motion to about £50-80, depending on how many motions are being requested at once in a single meeting.
If you set up as a college society, you can get directly funded by the college via a separate pot of funding; check out our Sports and Societies page to learn more.
Most funding motions do pass so give it a go - it is important to note that the JCR is not allowed to legally fund political causes and typically would not give funding to very large societies with established sponsorships. If you have any questions it is best to direct them to the President or the Treasurer before submitting anything.
Travel Grants (Constitution Appendix F)
The JCR also gives out travel grants every term to support peoples' vacation plans, and you can apply for extra bursaries and subsidies. Keep an eye of grant applications releasing in the latter half of term. There are two separate applications: Travel Grants and Sustainable Travel Grants.
F1. Monies for Travel Grants (including sustainable travel grants- see below) are to come from a separate JCR fund, within the main JCR account, devoted to worthwhile vacation projects undertaken by JCR Members between matriculation and graduation. The JCR Treasurer shall set aside a minimum of £500 for Travel Grants in Michaelmas and Hilary Terms, and a minimum of £1000 in Trinity Term.
F2. The allocation of Travel Grants shall be decided by a vote, subsequent to the Travel Grants Meeting. The Travel Grants Meeting shall directly follow the fourth Ordinary General Meeting of Term, and shall be chaired by the Independent Chair.
F3. In times of national emergency, travel grants can be suspended for this term.
Applications
F4. No Applicant may apply for more than £200, or 30% of their costs – whichever is smaller.
F5. All applications must have a Proposer and a Seconder, neither of which may be the Applicant, and both of which must be Members of the JCR. The names of the Applicant, Proposer and Seconder shall be kept confidential until after the vote is made.
F6. Each Applicant shall submit:
a) the title of their project (up to 10 words);
b) the estimated total cost of their project;
c) the amount sought from the JCR;
d) a short description of the project (up to 100 words);
e) a short explanation as to why the JCR should fund the project (up to 200
words); and
f) a short declaration of any other sources of funding they have obtained for
the project, and the respective amount(s).
This shall be set out in a Travel Grants application form, distributed by the JCR Secretary at least a week before the submission deadline for applications.
F7. Applications for funds must be accompanied by evidence of the estimated total cost of the project, such as letters from the organisers, proof of bookings, receipts, screenshots of costs for flights or hotels not yet booked.
F8. All applications must be submitted to the JCR Secretary by email no less than 48 hours before the Travel Grants Meeting is due to commence. Any applications submitted after this deadline will be immediately rejected by the JCR Secretary.
What are Sustainable Travel Grants?
Money for sustainable transport grant are to come from a separate JCR fund within the main JCR account, devoted to subsidising the difference in price between unethical (e.g. plane) and ethical (e.g. rail) transport undertaken by JCR Members between matriculation and graduation
Blues Funding (Constitution Appendix G)
G1. Monies for these grants are to come from a separate JCR fund, within the main JCR account, devoted to supporting members of the JCR who are involved in
a. any form of University Blue/Half-Blue
b. university level sport which has a Varsity match
c. and who train at least twice a week during their season.
G2. The maximum amount of money available for Blues Funds in any given term shall be at the JCR Treasurer’s discretion, but shall not exceed £2000.
G3. No individual applicant may be awarded more than £150 in any one term.
G4. Applicants must fill out the relevant form and submit it, along with any supporting evidence, to the JCR Treasurer no later than Thursday of 6th Week of the relevant term.
G5. Applicants must include supporting evidence for their costs. These will include receipts or invoices for claimed costs. In exceptional circumstances, the JCR Treasurer may accept a single cost without documentary evidence. This shall be at the discretion of the JCR Treasurer, in conjunction with the JCR Sports and Societies Representative.
G6. Alongside the JCR Sports and Societies Representative, the JCR Treasurer will use the information provided to work out the amount given to each applicant, using a Formula agreed by the JCR Committee. Should the total amount awarded to all applicants exceed £2000, then the amount granted to each applicant shall be proportionally scaled down until the sum is equal to £2000.
G7. The JCR Treasurer shall inform all applicants of the outcome of their application no later than Tuesday of 8th Week, and shall ensure that all funds have been transferred to the applicant by Thursday of 8th Week.
G8. There shall be a right of appeal to the JCR President in respect to any decision made at the discretion of the JCR Treasurer. There shall be no right of appeal with respect to the formula applied by the Treasurer. An applicant wishing to appeal a decision must submit their application for appeal, setting out all particulars, no later than 10 days after they have been informed of the JCR Treasurer’s decision.