Eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria will determine whether organisations or projects are eligible to receive funding under this theme. 

Eligibility is dependent both on the type of organisation applying and the aims and some details of the projects proposed.

It is important to note that applications must comply with all the following points to progress on to the next stage of assessment. If your project fails to meet any aspect of the eligibility criteria then it will be rejected prior to assessment.

Who can apply?

Whilst all bona fide and legitimate organisations with a written constitution (such as a Memorandum and Articles of Association) or statutory powers can apply for this funding, we are specifically seeking applications from:

• Universities– a maximum of one individual application can be made per university. This can be made up of interlinked components and can include partnership working with local partners (for example; local authorities, sports clubs).
• A lead partner on behalf of a group of universities for a national, regional or local project, for example a regional HE body, a county sports partnership, or an NGB , which provides a collaborative approach to improving student participation. Such an application can also include other sport delivery partners. The lead partner can only apply once, but can be a named partner within other group applications.

For clarity, a university can apply once as an individual institution and can apply once as a lead partner for a group application. In addition to this application limit, a university can also be a partner in other group projects. Partners involved in a number of projects should ensure that there are clear differences between the projects, each adding value to HE student sport.

If the applicant is an unincorporated body, we will need to see its constitution to ensure that it does not contain unnecessary restrictions on membership and representation.

Applications from an individual, sole trader or partnership are not eligible for funding.

Please note that in this context “partnership” means an organisation that is legally constituted as a partnership, not an organisation which simply happens to use that term in its name, for example a county sports partnership.

We will not fund or progress:

• Incomplete applications, including those where the Additional Questions document is not uploaded
• Projects with no element of confirmed partnership funding (in cash or in kind)
• Ongoing initiatives – projects must have not yet started and must be additional either by being new projects or expanding the capacity of existing successful programmes
• Recreational activity – the outcome of projects must be participation of at least moderate intensity in a recognised sporting activity that contributes to Sport England’s grow outcome – see our FAQs for a list of eligible activities
• Research activity, including audits, mapping or development of measurement tools
• Strategic posts at a regional or national level, unless a clear demonstration of their impact on participation can be shown within the application and during the delivery of the project
• Sport-specific development roles
• Projects solely benefiting the local community with no impact on student participation
• Sports programmes which have ceased to be funded from other sources, including existing teams or university sport structures
• Re-branding of existing sport programmes at the university
• One-off events or weeks, which cannot demonstrate sustained participation post event
• Sports activities relating to academic course content and requirements
• Awards of £10,000 and under - if your project requires less than £10,000, please consider our Small Grants Fund instead
• Capital-only applications
• Facility new builds, refurbishments or gym equipment
• Projects that do not provide evidence of sustainability, for example appropriate continuation strategies to sustain the participation of participants or, where appropriate, sources of funding for the project once Sport England support ends
• General running costs, e.g. ongoing staff costs, council tax, gas, electricity or water bills
• Routine maintenance, repairs and renewals
• Items that only benefit an individual, e.g. prizes, scholarships, bursaries, personal clothing or equipment or the purchase of tickets for events
• Purchasing or leasing of vehicles.