UCC Alumni Fund: Enhancing the Student Experience

The UCC Alumni Fund raises support from alumni and other friends of UCC for a range of urgent and transformational projects that directly impact the student experience yet could never be covered from the state grant.

Comprising academic, social and personal dimensions, the student experience includes the integration of extracurricular activities, campus life and diverse support services which contribute to students’ well-rounded UCC journey. The fund welcomes donations of any amount and will use the funds to support initiatives that will have the widest range of impact for students.

How Your Donation Makes an Impact

Donations to the UCC Alumni Fund make a direct impact on the entire student body. In recent months, the Fund has supported or committed support to critical areas across the university:

• Student Mental Health: Funding the expansion of out-of-hours programmes for UCC’s counselling services.
• Community Safety: Subsidising start-up costs for a new security and emergency alert application that will help protect students and staff on campus.
• Student Engagement: Underwriting the Student Forum, a citizens' assembly that puts students at the heart of UCC’s important strategic and policy issues.
• Library Services: Acquiring state-of-the-art study pods for students—primarily those with sensory processing sensitivities—to work with limited distractions.
• Collaboration: Furnishing the MakerSpace, a dedicated area in the new Student Hub where students come together for a range of learning and social activities.

Applying for a UCC Alumni Fund Grant

Applications for a UCC Alumni Fund grant, can be made directly by UCC students, staff, or representatives of the UCC Students’ Union. Each academic year, there is an open application period, during which applications are accepted for small-to-medium-sized grants from the UCC Alumni Fund for projects to enhance the student experience. 

Learn more about applying for a grant here

The 2025-26 UCC Alumni Fund open application period has ended. If you have questions regarding applying for a UCC Alumni Fund project grant, please contact Matt Hamilton, Head of Transformational Philanthropy; matt.hamilton@ucc.ie

Grants Approval Committee

The Grants Approval Committee will review the project applications and make recommendations for disbursal to Cork University Foundation (CUF) for approval. Members of the Committee are:

• Deputy President and Registrar of UCC and/or VP of Teaching & Learning (Chair)
• Director of Student Experience
• Director of Advancement/CEO of Cork University Foundation
• Associate Director for Stakeholder Engagement
• Senior Advancement Officer (Students & Young Alumni)
• A student caller from a previous fónathon – if available
• An alumni donor – if available
• Head of Transformational Philanthropy (will serve the Committee)