Skip to main content

Social Purpose Innovation Fund

Last updated:
18 February 2025

On the table, there are several things on display. This includes a science beaker, a plastic shape of a male body, a microscope, a book with more information about the installation. It also includes several other beakers with cabbages being grown
Innovation Science Installation, Angela Mathis, 2022 Material Futures, Central Saint Martins, UAL

This pilot of the Social Purpose Innovation Fund is an opportunity for the UAL community to shape how we support creative solutions to today’s social and environmental challenges. The fund is all about collaboration. Staff and students pitch creative project ideas to receive funding. Through a participatory grant-making process, applicants then decide how to distribute the funds among the projects.

We’re looking for projects that help us achieve our social purpose aims to nurture and share creativity that:

  • powers cultural experiences
  • celebrates difference of all kinds
  • regenerates our environment
  • builds more equitable prosperity.

We believe that great ideas come from everywhere. Whether you’re a student or a member of staff, we welcome your idea to embed social purpose in our community’s policies and practices. We have staff and student options for the fund, which you can read more about below.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 2 February 2025 at 6pm.

For students: Create with purpose

The Social Purpose Innovation Fund gives our students the chance to turn their creative ideas into projects that make a difference.

Why apply

  • Bring your artistic, creative or design vision to life while addressing real-world challenges.
  • Work with other students to decide how funding is allocated.
  • Showcase your work at a UAL social purpose event in Autumn 2025.

How to apply

  1. Pitch your creative project: Include your goals, timeline and plans to measure impact.
  2. Collaborate with peers: Take part in the decision-making process to allocate funding.

For staff: Innovate for impact

The Social Purpose Innovation Fund supports our staff to lead projects that explore new ways to embed social purpose in:

  1. Who we teach: Initiatives that promote inclusion and participation in creative education.
  2. What we teach: Curriculum developments that embed our values.
  3. Knowledge we share: Knowledge exchange and advocacy efforts.
  4. Our own behaviour: Operational practices that drive sustainability and equity.

Why apply

  • Test innovative approaches that align with our social purpose.
  • Collaborate with peers to identify and fund the most impactful projects.
  • Contribute to shaping a more equitable and regenerative university.

How to apply

  1. Submit your proposal: Share your project’s goals, alignment with our mission, and a budget.
  2. Participate in the fund allocation process: Join other applicants in February 2025 to discuss and decide funding allocations.

Eligibility

  • Staff: Must have their line manager’s approval to dedicate sufficient time to the project and hold a contract through July 2025.
  • Students: Must have their Course Leader’s approval and be enrolled throughout the project period, which is until at least July 2025.

How the fund works

  1. Submit your application: Fill out the form by 2 February 2025 at 6pm.
  2. Eligibility check: We’ll review your application for alignment with the fund’s goals and administrative requirements.
  3. Participatory grant-making: Join other applicants to collaboratively decide how to distribute the funding, ensuring the decisions reflect the collective insight and values of our community.
  4. A fair and transparent process: Every voice has an equal say in funding decisions.
    1. Community-focused: Discussions and decisions emphasise collective insight and mutual support.
    2. Support provided: Funds are allocated based on the decisions made during the deliberation process.
  5. Implementation and evaluation: Complete your project, share your learnings, and help us understand its impact.

Project timeline

  • Applications open: 4 December 2024
  • Applications close: 2 February 2025
  • Participatory grant-making sessions: February 2025
  • Project period: February - July 2025

Participation requirements

  • Attendance at the deliberation process is required (or you can nominate someone from your team). Students and Hourly Paid Lectures will be paid for their time.
  • The process is designed to be efficient and respectful of everyone’s time. We aim for the process to take up no more than a day of applicant’s time.
  • Depending on the amount of applications, it may involve presentations of applications, discussion of what would be the most impactful project or voting rounds.

Application tips and explainers

No cap on funding requests

There is no formal cap on the amount of money you can request. We encouraged to cost the project efficiently. The less demand on the total fund pot, the more projects that may receive support. The total pot currently available is estimated to be approximately £45,000 for staff projects and £15,000 for student projects, though these amounts are subject to change.

Representation for allocation sessions

If you’re unable to attend the online sessions in early February to decide fund allocation, you may nominate someone familiar with your project to participate on your behalf. We’ll confirm scheduling details once the fund is closed for applications.

Collaboration and leadership requirements

All projects must have a contracted staff lead or enrolled studentsfor the duration of the project. However, you are allowed and encouraged to collaborate with others internal and external to UAL as appropriate.

Eligibility for the participatory process

The Social Purpose Lab will assess all applications for eligibility to progress to the participatory grant-making process. The assessment will be based on:

  • the application form being completed to a sufficient standard
  • satisfactory responses to the eligibility questions
  • effective mitigation of any potential risks or harms to UAL or its stakeholders.

The UAL Climate System Mapping pilot research was recently commissioned by the Social Purpose Lab and conducted by UAL design academics (see Wallace, N., Mazé, R., Williams, D., Landin, D., Tuft, N., and Ng, N. (2024) UAL Climate Systems Mapping: Report on the pilot research project. University of the Arts London. https://doi.org/10.58129/61zw-rt13”). The research highlights a common theme among staff that central decision-making is often opaque and misaligned with the realities faced at the local level. Those affected by decisions – such as which innovations to support – often feel excluded from the decision-making process.

This pilot Social Purpose Innovation Fund aims to improve this issue. Inviting staff and students to share their best ideas in one place gives these projects greater visibility and helps spread their impact and insights across the university. Involving applicants in funding decisions also builds trust and transparency in the process.

To get involved, please submit your application.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact us at socialpurposeoperations@arts.ac.uk.