Are you a carer? Carers Support Fund deadline extended to 3 January 2025

Dear Postgraduate Research Student,

Also for the attention of supervisors and research-degree-related staff

We are writing to ensure that PGR carers are aware of the Carers Support Fund [link removed] and advise that the deadline for applications has been extended to 3 January 2025.

Background

Carers face disadvantages that may prevent them from pursuing the education that they need. Providing unpaid care for a friend or family member can place huge demands on the lives of carers. It can affect progress in a study journey, make sticking to a timetable difficult or require a career change to find employment that fits around caring.

The OU has received a generous donation from the CareTech Foundation over three years. Together we have launched the CareTech Foundation PGR Carers Support Fund (“PGR Carers Support Fund”) to offer students financial support of between £200 and £1000. The intention of this fund is to enable those who care on a frequent basis support for some protected study time. This might for example be towards respite care to attend a writing retreat, a conference or to block a period of dedicated study time that would not be possible without additional funding.

A carer is defined as anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.

In order to qualify for the scheme, you must meet all the following criteria:

• Be ordinarily resident in the UK

• Provide care for 5 or more hours per week

• Be able to demonstrate proof of your current caring responsibilities

• Be actively studying a postgraduate research degree at the Open University during the relevant academic year for which you are applying.

Supporting evidence

You will need to provide evidence which confirms that you are providing unpaid care to one or more people. This could be a letter from your current GP, social worker or carer support organisation. Examples include copies of a:

• letter confirming Carer’s Allowance

• letter from your local carer support service

• letter from Social Services

• letter confirming your Attendance Allowance

• letter from your own GP

• letter from the GP/Consultant/Nurse of the person you care for

• current valid Carer’s Identity Card issued by a Local Authority.

For the full application form and details of how to apply, please click on the following link: Carers Support Fund form on the Graduate School Network website [link removed].

Best regards,

Graduate School Team