Cambridge 800th - anniversary funding now available to colleges and societies

The University is launching a new 2009 Fund from which University or College-affiliated groups could receive as much as £5,000 towards staging their own events during the landmark year.

Plans are already underway for a series of celebratory events in 2009 which will be run by the University – including a major concert in London showcasing Cambridge music and a spectacular light festival in Cambridge itself. The bicentennial Darwin Festival, exhibition, concerts and other recurring events, such as the Cambridge Science Festival, will also tie in with the celebrations.

The launch of the fund marks the start of a programme for 2009 designed to highlight the breadth and depth of the university's academic excellence, to showcase current research, and to thank students, staff, alumni and local residents for the contributions they have made to the University over the last 800 years.

Professor Jeremy Sanders, Chair of the 800th Anniversary Committee, said: “2009 will give Cambridge an opportunity to mark 800 years of unique contributions to the world. We will celebrate past achievements and look ahead, demonstrating the many ways that we are creating knowledge for the future.”

Applications for money from the 2009 Fund should be for activities promoting or celebrating the academic and cultural pursuits of the University. Projects may involve collaboration with external partners, but the application must be made by a Cambridge University or college-related group or students society.

The application deadline for the first round of funding is 22 November 2007 and application guidelines and forms can be found by clicking on the link to the right of this page. This is the first round of three so there is plenty of time to apply. Rounds 2 and 3 will take place in Easter and Michaelmas 2008.