Skip to main content

Student activities funding

Human Centered Design & Engineering students may request funding to support student programming and events. These funds are intended to support community building and connection for students within specific degree programs (HCDE BS, MS, PhD, or Certificates) or more broadly across all HCDE students. 

Applications must be submitted four weeks in advance of the planned event date. Students will be notified or contacted for more information within one week of submitting their proposal. If approved, students will receive additional information about requesting purchases or reimbursement procedures.

Unless a proposal is approved, there is no guarantee departmental funding will be provided. Students should wait to make all purchases until they have received confirmation. The department may purchase items or reimburse an individual with receipts. No cash advances are given.

HCDE student activities funding request form

Eligible proposals

Proposals can cover a wide range of community building activities, e.g., celebrations, social events, and themed workshops. Proposals may be intended for specific audiences, but must be advertised and open to all HCDE students regardless of race, sex, or other identity. 

Eligible purchases with HCDE funds may include:

  • Food
  • Party supplies and decorations
  • Games, crafts
  • Event spaces 

Non-eligible purchases:

  • Gift cards* (not reimbursable)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Course-related activities or supplies (e.g. capstone funding, DRGs, participant compensation)
  • Swag or gifts (if swag is desired for a specific event, contact the Academic Services Director)
  • Honoraria (Professional events - talk with the Outreach & Strategic Partnerships Manager)
  • Hazardous or dangerous materials
  • Lodging

Example proposals

  • Equipment rentals and food for an End of the Year BBQ
  • Snacks at a Using Design Tools workshop
  • Parking for Destress with Dogs event in the 4th floor hallway
  • Room reservations for an event
  • Supplies for a project, event or to support fundraising efforts
  • Food or beverages for a themed office or lab meeting (open to all students)

Proposals will be evaluated based on creativity, engagement, and community impact. Requests must address how funding enhances participation and broadly impacts your program and/or the HCDE community. 

Additional resources

Need more money? Don’t forget to apply for funding through UW RSO. GSA and SA are recognized UW Student Organizations and may submit requests for general student activities funding. They run out of funding quickly, so apply early before winter quarter. Also, consider fundraising!

For equipment needs, email hcdehelp@uw.edu to inquire about equipment availability.

For outdoor games or BBQ equipment, contact UW Facilities or the WAC.

To book a room in Sieg Building, reserve a room online or contact Alanna Daniels at alannard@uw.edu

Looking for alumni or industry professionals to attend events? Contact Melissa Ewing, mewing3@uw.edu. Be sure to also check in with Melissa in advance if planning industry or professional events to coordinate efforts and avoid conflicts with departmental professional events.

Gifts for guest speakers? Email Jane Skau, janei@uw.edu, to receive a swag-bag to give to speakers. 

Consider the accessibility needs of your peers and if any additional resources are required. If funding is required, submit a request to the RSO office early (i.e. ASL, live captioner, etc.). If an event is recorded and posted online, Live Captioning should be considered (no autogenerated captioning on Zoom).

Additional RSO resources