Is your project eligible for a UCC Alumni Fund grant?

The UCC Alumni Fund is overseen by a committee, which reviews project applications that are made directly by UCC students, staff, or the UCC Students’ Union. The committee assesses applications based on a range of criteria including, but not limited to:

• Projects should make a real and tangible difference to students.
• Projects should be transformational in nature, meaning they are innovative and potentially change the way that a certain area or topic is approached at the university.
• Projects should support a one-off initiative or start-up costs for a recurring initiative that can be repeated without UCC Alumni Fund funding.
• Projects should support a group(s) of students or the entire UCC student body.
• Projects cannot support individual requests for maintenance fees, scholarships, prizes, etc.

The committee recommends projects for approval by the Cork University Foundation Board. Approved applications receive a grant to be expended on their project.

How to Apply

The 2026-27 UCC Alumni Fund open application period opens will be open from 27 January to 2 March.

During the open application period, all currently enrolled students, representatives for the UCC Students’ Union, UCC Clubs and Societies, and UCC staff members are eligible to apply in support of initiatives that will have broad impact for a group(s) of students or the entire UCC student body.

This open application period is for project grants to take place during the 2027-27 academic year. Applicants should plan to be at UCC for the duration of their project or have a clear handover or continuation plan to ensure it can be completed during the 2026–27 academic year.”

• For UCC Students
  UCC students are encouraged to discuss their project planning with a member of UCC staff or the UCC Students’ Union before applying. Students are also required to have a staff sponsor/referee for their project. The sponsor/referee endorses the project and will help to ensure proper financial governance through their departmental cost centre, if necessary. The sponsor/referee may be a UCC Students’ Union Sabbatical Officer.
  
  
• For UCC Staff
  UCC staff may apply for project grants and are also encouraged to work directly with students by way of acting as their project referees/sponsors. In this capacity you can advise them on their applications, project planning, and on ensuring responsible governance of funding through your department cost centres, if necessary.

Applicants will be notified of grant decisions by the end of June, and funds must be utilized by the end of UCC’s 2026-27 financial year (30 September 2027).

Virtual Information Sessions

You are also encouraged to attend a Virtual Information Session, which will be held on Microsoft Teams to learn more, ask questions, and get tips on submitting a strong application:

• Thursday 5 February – 12:00 p.m.
• Wednesday 18 February – 12:00 p.m.

Click here to register for one of the Virtual Information Sessions
Please note that a recorded version of the session will be available for those unable to attend live.

For enquiries, please contact Matt Hamilton, Head of Transformational Philanthropy in UCC Advancement, at matt.hamilton@ucc.ie.