Student Initiative Fund

U of T students and/or student groups from the St. George campus are eligible to submit a funding proposal to SIF. Students from UTM and UTSC are not eligible to apply. Read the SIF Guiding Principles and Terms of Reference (PDF) to ensure your eligibility.

The Student Initiative Fund is a reimbursement-based funding program. There are two tiers of funding. The application process will depend on which tier you are applying for.

Tier 1

Simple events or initiatives without (virtual) speakers or facilitators

Tier 1 funding is available for small-scale or simple initiatives that require funds up to $499 CAD for venue and food related expenses. Examples include snacks (with plates, napkins etc.) for an open mic night, a meet & greet session, supplies for a “mocktail” event or a room booking or A/V fee.

Groups and individuals can only receive Tier 1 funding once in a given year. Receiving Tier 1 funding does not prohibit groups and individuals from receiving Tier 2 in the same SIF year.

Tier 2

Medium-large initiatives with (virtual) speakers or facilitators

Tier 2 funding is available for initiatives that require funds from $500 – $3000 CAD to enhance the student experience and foster a sense of community on St. George campus. Examples include an alumni night, an art exhibition, a workshop or speaker series, a themed conference or a cultural event for students.

Tier 2 funding requires two selection phases:

1. Application submission: Submit your application under Program Registration below.
2. Pitches: Applicants that are selected during Phase 1 are invited to make a 10-minute pitch of their initiative to the SIF committee on the pitch date for the term.

Groups and individuals can only receive Tier 2 funding once in a given year.

Funding schedule and deadlines

Funds will be allocated in the fall, winter and summer terms. In your application, be sure to identify which funding term you are applying for. Your initiative should take place in the season identified in your application.

Fall (October 1, 2022 – January 31, 2023)

• Applications open: September 19, 2022
• Deadline: September 26, 2022

Winter (February 1 – April 30, 2023)

• Applications open: January 9, 2023
• Deadline: January 16, 2023

Summer (May 1 – September 30, 2023)

• Applications open: April 17, 2023
• Deadline: April 24, 2023

Application process

1. ​Before you apply, be sure that you and your project partners read and fully understand the SIF Guiding Principles and Terms of Reference (PDF).
2. It is important to be clear about the total amount and funding tier your group is requesting from SIF in the budget section of the application. SIF will approve, at most, one Tier 1 and one Tier 2 per independent individual or group per academic year.
3. It is the responsibility of the primary and secondary contacts listed on your application to be reachable throughout the SIF process, including the submission of the Post-Initiative Report. SIF will only communicate with the listed contacts.
4. Complete and submit your application under Program Registration. Use this Budget Template (PDF) for the Budget section. Only applications received online by the deadline date will be accepted. Please do not email applications. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you submit your application

1. Applications are reviewed by the SIF Committee after the funding term deadline has passed.
2. Applicants are contacted by email. This process usually takes two weeks. The Committee’s decisions are final.
3. When your initiative is finished, you must complete and submit the SIF Post-Initiative Report Form (PDF) to receive all of your allotted funds.

Record-keeping and completing post-initiative report

Keep a clear record of where you are spending funds and keep all original itemized receipts. Any changes to your proposed budget should be approved prior to spending funds on non-approved expenses.

Download: SIF Post-Initiative Report Form (PDF)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Be aware that failure to submit a complete post-initiative report will result in the project applicant being personally responsible for the project costs.

Please email a complete SIF Post-Initiative Report Form with original itemized receipts to sif@utoronto.ca.

Pre-project and post-project funds

You can request up to 40% of your approved funding BEFORE the project starts, based on the projected budget included in your approved application. It takes a minimum of 35 days for advancement cheques to be processed once the request is received.

To receive all/the remainder of your allotted funds at THE END of your project, you must submit your SIF Post-Initiative Report within one month of your project conclusion.

After the Post-Initiative Report is received, the balance of funds will be released. This will also take a minimum of 35 days.

Applications for SIF are now closed.

Allocating funds to facilitators or participants who assist with your initiative can take three forms:

Prizes

• awarded through success in a contest
• can be won by participants
• maximum of $100 per person (subject to pre-approval) and $100 per initiative
• cannot be cash
• recipient must sign a declaration (PDF) acknowledging receipt of the prize

Honoraria

• symbol of gratitude for assistance with an initiative, not won
• does not require an invoice
• maximum of $100 per person (subject to pre-approval)
• can be cash
• recipient must sign a declaration (PDF) acknowledging receipt of the honorarium

Fees for services

• paid via invoice for a service provided to initiative
• invoice required, upon payment must show that fee was paid
• can be greater than $100 (subject to pre-approval)
• can be cash

Proposals will not be funded if they:

• are for the purpose of fundraising
• are held outside of U of T (e.g. an application submitted by a U of T St. George student on behalf of their external community-based organization)
• involve personal expenses (e.g. SIF funding cannot be used for flights. Funding can be used for local GTA travel up to $100 and gifts/honoraria up to $100.)
• include alcohol-related expenses
• are capital in nature, unless the capital is used for the formation of a new student club
• are for general operating expenses of student clubs or organizations (SIF is intended for projects/events/activities and not business cards, apparel, or compensation for event organizers.)
• are from an applicant who has NOT submitted the post-project reports for any previous SIF-funded project
• exclude any student or student group from participation
• require event planning and risk management practices, and these have not been addressed

Additional funding

We encourage you to seek additional funding, if needed. Here are three possible sources:

• Hart House Good Ideas Fund
• University of Toronto Students’ Union
• University of Toronto Graduate Student’s Union Donations Request