The Crichton Foundation offers help to students who are enrolled on a course of study at the Crichton Campus in Dumfries through an Awards Committee. In order to be eligible for support, students must have completed at least one full semester/trimester of study. Applications from students in their first period of study will not be considered. Information on available funding is given below. Students must use the Crichton Foundation’s Student Application for Funding when applying for funding unless otherwise stated. All applications must be accompanied by an Academic reference from your course tutor or adviser of studies.
The Committee understand the financial and other difficulties faced by students. In order to help them reach a decision on your application it is helpful if you include information about you and your circumstances. For example, have you contacted the university to enquire about the laptop loan scheme they have available? Has there been a change in your circumstances between enrolling on your course and now? Any other steps you have taken or are taking to help alleviate unexpected financial challenges? Some examples of both good and not so good personal statements are provided here for guidance Examples of personal statements provided to support an application for funding support to the Crichton Foundation
Applicants are welcome to contact the Crichton Foundation regarding their application, please contact us to arrange a convenient appointment. All correspondence relating the application will be through student email only. All Awards will be paid by bank transfer. Students will be required to submit a very brief report to the Awards Committee stating how the funding has helped with their studies.
For information on alternative sources of funding please also visit the University of the West of Scotland (some sources of funding are open to all students) and University of Glasgow web sites:
The next deadline for submission of direct applications for funding to the Crichton Foundation is:
Monday 14th April 2025 at 12 noon.
The next meeting of the Awards Committee will be held on Wednesday 30th April 2025. Please note that successful applicants will receive payment by bank transfer.
Applications can be made at any time during the academic year and are assessed at the next meeting of the Awards Committee. If you are in need of immediate support it may be possible to consider your application out with the scheduled meetings. Please contact us, in confidence, to discuss your application.
Please supply evidence of the following to support your application:
Academic transcript or printout of most recent grades achieved
Academic reference from your course tutor or adviser of studies
All correspondence from the Crichton Foundation relating to your application will be through your student email (home, work or private email addresses will not be accepted). The Crichton Foundation will inform students of the outcome of their application as soon as possible following the Committee meeting.
The Crichton Foundation gives awards to celebrate academic excellence and reward individual achievements. Awards are also made to individual, or groups of, students who clearly demonstrate the need for support. The Crichton Foundation also has funding available to address valid cases of individual hardship. Funds are limited and applications are considered on merit with priority given to those students who have not previously received an award and those who submit applications of a high standard. Students should note that submitting an application for funding does not guarantee payment of an award. Students may only make one application for help within each academic year unless there are exceptional circumstances.
By submitting an application for funding to the Crichton Foundation you are agreeing to allow the exchange of information with the academic institution at which you are studying. You are also confirming that information provided is accurate and complete.
The deadline dates for submission of applications in 2025 are:
12 noon Monday 27th January
12 noon Monday 14th April
12 noon Monday 15th September
12 noon Monday 17th November
Value of award – Up to £350
Open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students studying at one of the Universities on the Crichton Campus. This is a discretionary award and applications will be judged upon the perceived need for support and, overall, the strength of the case presented. In order to be eligible for support, students must have completed at least one full semester/trimester of study. Applications from students in their first period of study will not be considered.Applications should give an indication of:
The Committee are aware that studying for a degree is challenging in many ways, including financially. You should try to be specific about your individual circumstances and how an award will help you.
Students must apply for this funding by completing an Student Application for Funding Completed applications should be submitted to the Foundation office along with all evidence and an Academic reference Please note it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the academic reference is received prior to the deadline for applications. Students may only make one application for help within each academic year unless there are exceptional circumstances.
In addition to the above awards, the Crichton Foundation provides funding for the following grants. Students may not make direct applications to the Crichton Foundation for these grants. Please see the information given for details of how the awards are made.
Value of award – Up to £500
Open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students studying at one of the Universities on the Crichton Campus. This award is for groups of students who wish to apply for funding to help with costs for a project related to their course work. This is a discretionary award and applications will be judged upon the perceived need for support and, overall, the strength of the case presented. Applications should give an indication of:
Students must apply for this funding by completing an Campus Partner Funding Application. Completed applications should be submitted to the Crichton Foundation office along with any supporting documents. Students may only make one application for help within each academic year unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Value of award – The value of each award is determined by Dumfries and Galloway College. As this fund is cash-limited, allocation of grants will be on a ‘first come first served’ basis. The grant is discretionary therefore students who are eligible for help from these funds are not automatically entitled to this support.
Open to full-time Further Education students who fall into one of the following three categories:
Applications and advice are available from the Student Funding Section of the College. Full documentation must be provided in support of any application. Students may apply at any time during the academic year. For more information about this Fund you should contact a member of the Student Funding Team:
Tel: 01387 734336 or 734061
Email: studentfunding@dumgal.ac.uk
Value of award – One or two awards of up to £500 each
This prize is funded by the Crichton Foundation and is awarded to up to two outstanding students from Dumfries and Galloway College at the College awards ceremony held in November each year. The students are also presented with a shield which celebrates their achievements.
An award may be presented to a student whom the College judges has achieved excellence in their Higher National studies. An additional award may be presented to a student whom the College considers to have overcome adversity in order to progress. It is anticipated that the recipient(s) will have enrolled on a course of Higher Education at one of the Universities at the Crichton.
The recipient(s) of the Prize are selected by Dumfries and Galloway College. Students may not make direct applications for this funding.
Value of award – £1000
Sir David Landale was the Chairman of the Crichton Endowment Trust which later became the Crichton Foundation. After his retiral as Convenor he became the Crichton Foundation’s Honorary President. Sir David played a vital role in establishing a university Campus at the Crichton and was a regular attender at Foundation events as well as a great supporter of our work.
Following his death in March 2016 Sir David bequeathed a sum of money to the Crichton Foundation. The monies are to be used to fund an annual prize to a student on the Campus. His wishes state:
“Initially but with flexibility for the future, £500 yearly will be given to the University student who is nominated for making an outstanding contribution to the Crichton Campus in the Dumfries and Galloway region.”
The award has been increased to £1000. Any university student who is enrolled on a course of study at any of the Crichton Campus institutions is eligible. Nominations must be made on the Sir David Landale Prize Application form and must be submitted electronically. Nominations must be made by a member of academic staff. Nominations may be submitted at any time, the annual winner will be selected by the Awards Committee, usually in May each year. The closing date for nominations is 12 noon on Monday 14th April 2025.
Value of award – £500
These prizes are awarded to undergraduates on the BSc Environmental Science and Sustainability Course. There are two prizes, which are made in the name of the late Professor Roland Terry following a bequest from his wife, the late Dr Anne Terry. The recipients are selected by a panel from the University of Glasgow.
Value of award – £500
The Evelyn Hastings Prize is awarded to a nursing student in Dumfries who has demonstrated high standards in clinical practice placements and resilience in the face of adversity in the final year of their BSc in Nursing (adult or mental health). The aim of the award is to provide clear recognition to a student who shows commitment to practice excellence in difficult personal circumstances. The winneer is selected by staff from the University of the West of Scotland.
Miss Evelyn Hastings OBE was a supporter of the Crichton Foundation since its inception in 2000. Latterly, she was Vice-Convenor and Chair of the Awards Committee prior to her retirement in 2021. Sadly, Evelyn died in August 2024 and this prize is given in her honour.
Evelyn had a distinguished career in nursing. She qualified in general nursing in Dumfries, subsequently doing her maternity training in Glasgow followed by time spent at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Southern General in Glasgow. She was Senior Nursing Officer for Newcastle Area Health Authority before returning to Scotland as Divisional Nursing Officer for Lanarkshire Health Board, ultimately becoming Chief Area Nursing Officer and Director of Personnel and Manpower Planning before her retirement. She was awarded an OBE for services to nursing in Scotland in the New Year’s Honours list in 1991.