The Student Enrichment Activities Support (SEAS) Scheme is a support scheme that merges the 1-HKUST Student Enrichment Activities Fund with the Sponsored Student Project Scheme. It aims to provide support to students and student groups organizing or participating, on a voluntary basis, in activities or projects that promote one or more of the following objectives:

• Celebrate diversity and inclusivity, and promote multicultural competence
• Foster a sense of belonging and integrate students within HKUST community
• Engage students in understanding and serving a wider community
• Encourage global perspective and awareness
• Prioritize holistic development and well-being of students

In general, the amount of the funding subsidy granted by the Scheme will only cover partial of the total expenses. Expenses that may be considered include venue and equipment rental, marketing and promotion, food and beverage, materials and supplies, program or registration fee, honorarium, and transportation fee. Offshore traveling and accommodation expenses may be considered depending on availability of funding.

Subsidy is considered based on the online application and submitted documents. Should there be any changes to the submitted proposal, the project organizer has the responsibility to inform the Secretariat as soon as possible, and the amount of subsidy may be adjusted as a result. The Secretariat reserves the right to withdraw the subsidy if the change deviates significantly from the approved proposal.

Each application will be assessed by the following criteria:

• Community need: whether it identifies and addresses a campus or a broader community need;
• Originality: whether it is new and creative;
• Feasibility: whether it is achievable within the proposed time frame and budget;
• Impact: the potential impact of the proposal in the university or a broader community.

Preference would be given to projects/activities which demonstrate collaboration between different student societies or groups, or include a balanced mixed of local and non-local student participants, and/or highlight diversity among students involved. Social parties and activities involving outsiders would be given lower preference.

Applications shall be considered and approved by the SEAS Scheme Selection Committee or its delegates.

MEMBERSHIP

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Selection Committee typically serves a term of two academic years, beginning in the Fall of the year and concluding in the summer of the second year (i.e. September to August of two consecutive years). Its primary responsibilities include assessing, providing feedback and approving applications for subsidies and/or eligibility to reserve and utilize campus facilities.

SECRETARIAT

The Student Support & Activities of DSTO serves as the Secretariat for the Scheme to provide administrative support, offer guidance and assistance to potential applicants and approved activities, assess applications or making recommendations to the Selection Committee.

Under normal circumstance, the project organizer should submit the Project Completion Report along with the Financial Report and all expenses receipts in original and relevant documents to the Secretariat within 2 weeks after the project completion date. Otherwise, the approved subsidy may be forfeited without further notice.

(1) Is the funding available every year?
Yes, the funding is available every year, which would be open for applications normally in August, December and April.
 

(2) Will student societies/groups have priority?
Student societies/groups and individual students will be treated equally in the selection process. Applications will be considered based on individual merit.
 

(3) Does the funding cover students going overseas for case competitions or study tour?
Individual students participate in activities only for their personal development will not be considered. Partial support may be awarded to student groups/teams participating in offshore trip, which is self-initiated or organized by recognized organizations. 
 

(4) Is the funding for academic purpose?
The purpose of the funding is to support student enrichment activities outside classroom and exclude academic requirements.
 

(5) Will profit-making projects be considered?
The projects must be non-profit making, student-led and voluntary. Commercial elements are prohibited and will not be considered. Students can collaborate with commercial firms, but the projects must be initiated and led by students.
 

(6) What is the range of subsidy that will be given to a particular project?
For most of the cases, the subsidy will only cover partial expenses. Students (organizers or participants) are expected to bear part of the cost and/or seek other funding support, especially for meal costs, offshore activities. The range may vary case by case. Applications demonstrated high feasibility, impact, originality and matching community needs are likely to receive a higher amount of subsidy. Moreover, the subsidy range may also be affected by the budget plan. Items that will be considered include venue and equipment rental, marketing and promotion, food and beverage, materials and supplies, etc.
 

(7) Is there any requirement for the project duration?There is no specific duration required. The event can be 2 hours long or it can last over a few months. Under normal circumstances, the project should not be prolonged to another academic year.
 

(8) How long will the result of the application be released?
Application result will be released within one month after the application deadline.
 

(9) Can voluntary work including fundraising of items be included in the activity?
Yes. However, the funding cannot be used as a direct donation.
 

(10) What if my application is accepted, but the activity cannot be held?
If the activity was not able to carry out, the subsidy will not be awarded.
 

(11) Is it necessary to provide proof of attendance in activities?
Yes. It is required to submit attendance record along with your project completion report.
 

(12) I have already started a project. Can I apply for funding for this project?
Students should apply for funding beforehand. Past events will not be considered and subsidies will not be awarded retrospectively.
 

(13) Will my application be considered if I do not have an Advisor Recommendation?
Your advisor is expected to advise you on planning and proposal and help monitor the project implementation. It is essential to invite an advisor for your project at the application stage and submit the Advisor Recommendation Form together with your application. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about Advisor Recommendation.
 

(14) How do I make an appointment for Consultation Session?
Each group of applicants may book a 30-min consultation session within the available timeslots as announced in the publicities. To book a consultation session, please email seaf@ust.hk with your contact information and preferred timeslot(s). Applicants would receive an email notice once the appointment is confirmed.
 

(15) If my project is approved, do I have any priority to access the campus venues?Requests by SEAS Projects would be considered like other eligible applications that are subject to the availability of resources, suitability, safety, etc. Offices that manage campus resources will have full discretion on whether to accept or decline requests from SEAS Projects.