Gender Expression Fund
Bristol SU has launched its Gender Expression Fund for the 2024-25 academic year.
The Gender Expression Fund allows students who are trans, non-binary, intersex or otherwise gender diverse to apply for up to £100 for gender affirming products and/or necessary travel (as per our criteria below).
What can I use this funding for?
The fund can be used to purchase gender affirming products that could include (but is not limited to) new clothes/underwear, chest binders, breast forms, packers, wigs, affirming sports/swimwear, costs arising from a name change, makeup/nail polish, and books. We hope this scheme will benefit transgender students who would otherwise be financially excluded from purchasing these items despite wishing to do so.
The fund can also be used towards travel to medical or therapy/counselling appointments, but cannot be used to fund treatment, prescriptions, or other medical procedures or to fund private counselling/therapy.
There is a limited amount of funding available. Once the fund is depleted each year no further funding requests will be accepted.
Can I access this fund?
To be eligible for the funding, you must:
- Be a current student at the University of Bristol, this includes UG, PGT,PGR and part-time students
- Identify as trans, non-binary, intersex, gender diverse, or gender non-conforming
- Have not used the full allocated amount before (with the option to justify if there is a reasonable explanation like extreme hardship, or change of circumstances, clothing size etc.)
When will I find out if I’ve received the funding?
From the 14th October 2024, the panel will meet every fortnight to make decisions about the application. If you are successful, you’ll be asked for your bank details and the money will be in your account within 10 working days. If you are unsuccessful, we will also get in touch with some feedback. The fund will be open until the end of July 2025, or until funding runs out.
The panel will consist of the Equality, Liberation and Access Officer, Postgraduate Education Officer and Liberation & Campaigns Coordinator.
What will happen to the data collected in this form?
The data captured by this form will be stored in a restricted folder, and only seen by the panel who will treat the data with confidentiality. Your data will be kept for 1 academic year (until September 2025) and then deleted.
You’ll also be asked to complete a feedback form after you’ve received funding, so we can ensure this fund is as impactful as possible.
Other relevant resources
For further support and community, the SU and the University have the following groups/ resources that you may find useful:
SU Student Groups
Finance/Wellbeing related aid
Thank you to the 22/24 ELA Officer, Trans Student Network Chair and University for bringing this support into reality.
