Trusted Partners Bursary Scheme 2024-25

The new University of Manchester Trusted Partners Bursary Scheme is now open for applications!

The scheme offers financial support for full-time undergraduates of all years to undertake overseas volunteering with one of the University’s Trusted Partners.  

The Terms and Conditions set out on these pages govern the award of Trusted Partners Bursaries (as defined below) and must be complied with. 

What is a Trusted Partners Bursary? 

The University knows how vitally important it is for students to gain experience to build up skills and confidence and support personal and professional development. We are aware that most overseas volunteering opportunities have costs associated, which can put them out of reach for many students. We want to help you with these costs to make overseas volunteering more accessible. 

A limited bursary fund has been established to help support current, registered, full-time undergraduate students (“Relevant Students”) of The University of Manchester (“University”) with some of the costs associated with undertaking overseas volunteering with the University’s Trusted Partners (“Trusted Partners Bursary”).

How could you benefit from the Trusted Partners Bursary? 

This bursary can be used to cover the following expenses which you may incur: 

• travel expenses i.e. flights 
• accommodation costs* 

*We are aware that the Trusted Partners might advertise 'project costs’, which may include accommodation. Each Trusted Partner will be able to provide a breakdown to show the accommodation costs. 

The bursary cannot cover the cost of: 

• food 
• clothing 
• travel visas 
• vaccinations 
• travel insurance 
• living costs 
• retrospective overseas volunteering activity 
• opportunities taking place in 2025/6 

Am I eligible? 

You must be: 

• a full-time undergraduate; 
• a UK or international undergraduate; and
• considering overseas volunteering that contributes to your personal development, your skills development and/or supports your future career aspirations. 

For final-year undergraduates only: 

• you must be able to complete your work experience by the end of June 2025. 

For more details see Student Eligibility and Funding Amounts.

Eligible projects 

Projects must be with one of the University’s Trusted Partners, ideally for four weeks minimum. For details of eligible projects please see Project eligibility (Terms and Conditions 2024-25). 

How much funding could you receive? 

Students in receipt of relevant financial support: 

Students in receipt of the full maintenance loan and/or a bursary or other financial support from the University are eligible to apply for up to £1000. 

Students not in receipt of relevant financial support: 

Can apply for the following amounts: 

• EcoSwell £1000  
• Think Pacific Fiji £800 / Bali £700 
• Play Action International Uganda / Kenya / Tanzania £600 
• BHZ Connection £600 
• Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences £600  
• Travelteer Sri Lanka / Nepal / Morocco £400 
• Kaya Responsible Travel – the amount will depend on the flight and accommodation costs for the project chosen. Please provide details when submitting your application or email us at volunteers@manchester.ac.uk 

If you are unsure of your financial status please refer to the student support funding pages. 

For the full details see 'Student Eligibility and Funding Amounts'.

How to apply 

Find out how to apply for your Trusted Partners Bursary. 

Please note that the Trusted Partners Bursary is administered jointly via the University Careers Service and the Volunteering and Awards Team.