About ASK

If you are a full or part-time postgraduate student currently registered at Keele University (either taught or research), you are eligible to apply.

All postgraduate students at Keele are automatically granted free membership to the Keele Postgraduate Association upon enrolment and are therefore eligible to apply for the bursary.

You must read the guidance and Terms & Conditions in full before submitting an application to ensure you understand the eligibility criteria and requirements.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the KPA Committee or email kpa.bursary@keele.ac.uk.

It is also recommended that you discuss your application with your personal tutor, supervisor or course director. Many departments have small funding pots available to support postgraduate activities, and these should normally be your first source of funding.

No. The KPA Bursary is designed to support postgraduate research and learning through extracurricular activities. It cannot be used to cover general living costs.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, Keele University offers additional support:

• Emergency Loan (often paid the same day) – Emergency Loans
• Keele University Hardship Fund for longer-term financial difficulties – Keele University Hardship Fund

If you have questions about these schemes or would like advice about your circumstances, the KPA Committee is always happy to provide guidance and support where possible.

The minimum bursary award is £50 and the maximum award is £500 per application.

If your activity costs more than £500, you may still apply, but the bursary will not exceed the maximum award.

Funding may be requested for:

• UK public transport (standard class)
• UK private travel (45p per mile)
• Standard accommodation
• Event or conference fees
• Small consumables

All requested costs must be fully justified within your application.

Activities that form a core or compulsory part of your studies, or are central to your research, will not be funded and should instead be supported by your department or research institute.

The bursary supports postgraduate students undertaking extracurricular activities that enhance their research, learning or professional development.

Funding is available only where the activity and associated costs can be clearly justified within your application.

The bursary cannot normally be used to fund:

• First class travel
• Travel discount cards
• International travel
• Visa costs
• Vaccinations
• Inappropriate accommodation
• Affiliation fees
• Food and drink (subsistence)
• Equipment not directly related to your visit
• Costs that should be covered by your Faculty or Research Institute
• General equipment not specific to your academic study (e.g. laptops)

The bursary also cannot be used to pay tuition fees or accommodation costs while studying at Keele. Applications including these costs will be declined.

Please read the full Terms & Conditions before applying, as this is not an exhaustive list.

No. The KPA Bursary supports individual postgraduate students rather than the organisation of extracurricular activities.

If you are interested in organising an activity for postgraduates, the KPA may still be able to provide financial or organisational support. Please contact kpa.coordinator@keele.ac.uk for further information.

You may submit up to two applications per calendar year, regardless of whether previous applications were successful.

The Bursary Disbursement Committee prioritises applicants who demonstrate genuine financial need.

Strong applications clearly explain:

• The activity you wish to undertake.
• How it will benefit your academic or professional development.
• A detailed budget with links to cost evidence.
• Any discounts used (such as railcards or early-bird registration).
• Evidence that you have also sought funding from other sources, even if unsuccessful.

Once you have completed your activity or made your purchases, you must submit a claim form together with all relevant receipts.

Claims cannot be paid without receipts.

Please ensure your remittance advice is completed accurately, as the KPA and Bursary Disbursement Committee cannot accept responsibility for payments made due to incorrect information.

In exceptional circumstances, where costs are particularly high (such as conference bookings or train tickets), the Committee may arrange payment directly on behalf of applicants.