The Women in Engineering, Science and Technology (WEST) Fund

Bursary Application form

The WEST Fund has been established in memory of Ros Wall who was instrumental in setting up a range of local and national projects to encourage women and girls to take up careers in non-traditional roles in Science, Engineering, Technology and the Built Environment. Please see the link for more information about Ros

Eligibility criteria:

The Fund aims to offer practical support to women and girls who are already learning or working in a non-traditional role or wishing to enter a non- traditional area through a bursary as follows:

  • Single grants of up to a maximum of £500 are for individual women aged 16 and over.
  • Several smaller grants may be awarded to different women in one year.
  • Grants are made towards the advancement of their career by education or training in sectors linked to science, engineering, technology or built environment - specifically in subjects and areas that are non-traditional for women.
  • So for example, it is still rare for women to work and study in manual trades and many areas of science such as, for example, physics – and they would therefore be eligible for a WEST bursary.
  • However, WEST bursaries are not available for women working or studying in areas of science and healthcare where women traditionally do work, such as, for instance, nursing.
  • Grants are only for women living in Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
  • The grant may be used for any purpose linked to relevant education and training including childcare.

Priority will be given to women:

  • Without a prior level 2 trade / degree qualification
  • On low income or benefits

Application process and deadline:

  • To be applied for annually by completing a short application form - see form below.
  • The Trustees' decision will be based on the information submitted on this application form. Please complete it carefully and accurately, circling appropriate responses and using additional sheets if necessary for full details.
  • Please return your form by email to or by post to: Women in SET Team, Owen 930, Centre for Science Education, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield, S1 1WB
  • The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Tuesday 30th June 2015.
  • Successful applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by the 31 July.
  • If you have not heard from us by this date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

A. Personal details

  1. Surname: First name(s): Date of Birth:
  1. Home Address:
  1. Tel. No. Mobile No. Email
  1. Please indicate by circling your nationality/citizenship/residence category

UK National EU National UK Refugee status

UK Asylum Seeker UK Permanent Resident status Other (give details)

  1. Ethnicity - please circle appropriate response

White

Black or Black British - Caribbean

Black or Black British - African

Other Black background

Asian or Asian British - Indian

Asian or Asian British - Pakistani

Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi

Chinese

Other Asian background

Mixed - White and Black Caribbean

Mixed - White and Black African

Mixed - White and Asian

Other Mixed background

Other Ethnic background

Prefer not to say

6. Do you consider yourself to have a disabilityYES/NO

B. Educational record

Please give details of any qualifications you have. Please note that priority will be given to applicants who do not have level 2 trade/ degree qualifications or higher.

C.What do you propose to use the bursary for? Minimum 50 words

D.Financial Information:

If you are putting the bursary towards the cost of a course/ study or equipment, please give some details of how much you need from us as well as the total costs:

E.Personal Statement: Minimum 200 words

This question is important because we want to know about you and your plans for study and employment, and also how you might be able to benefit the wider community.

Please tell us more about yourself, including some or all of the following:

  • What you are currently doing? (this can include caring commitments, volunteering, work, study or training)
  • What has inspired you to study / work in a non-traditional field?
  • Your career plans
  • Why would you particularly benefit from the support offered by a WEST fund bursary?

F.References:

Please note your reference must not be a relative or family member, and ideally

should be someone who knows about your study or work.

1. Name

2. Address

3. Phone number

4. How they know you

5. How did you hear about the WEST fund?

The WEST Fund hosts a Film Night in Sheffield in September each year to help raise funds for the Trust and announce the winner of the bursary for that year. If you are successful you will be invited to attend the Film Night as a guest of the Trustees.

Please confirm if you are willing to attend. Yes / No

Would you like to subscribe to the WEST enewsletter? Yes / No
If yes: Email address:

Please note that we will also expect the successful applicant to take part in a short evaluation of the impact of their bursary.

Signature: ...... Date: ......