Durham Future Fund

Donations to the Durham Future Fund fund a wide range of student support initiatives - from scholarships and bursaries to grants to enable personal development. 

Thanks to the support of Durham alumni, this reliable source of income enables the university to plan with confidence, knowing our students will be supported when they need it most.

Hardship Support 

With students facing the rising cost of living, we have established an instant access hardship fund, which issues emergency supermarket vouchers, cash and catering vouchers to students in need while they wait for longer-term aid from the university.  

We have previously been able to adapt quickly to unexpected circumstances; Alumni donations from the Durham Future Fund supported 1,500 students, as well as funding research projects to support the Covid-19 response. 

Grants and Bursaries 

Nearly one in four Durham students come from a low-income household and we are committed to ensuring that every student has the support needed to thrive while they are studying.

By providing personal development and employability grants of between £150 - £1000 to students from low-income backgrounds, your gifts enable them to take part in activities that boost their confidence and enhance their employability. 

Scholarships 

Receiving a scholarship can be life-changing, particularly for students who might otherwise be unable to come to university. At Durham, we want to ensure that the brightest talents can study here – regardless of background.  

For the 2023-2024 academic year, donations to the Durham Future Fund have supported 19 students in the Master of Social Work programme. This means that the programme will continue to make a much-needed impact on the local community.