Global Design Challenge 2022 applications

Published

14 April 2022

Sport and physical activity have the power to transform lives. In the summer when we mark the 10-year anniversary of the London 2012 Games, an opportunity has arisen for two groups of University of East London (UEL) students to travel to India and Australia as part of an exciting global initiative.

The University is looking for UEL students to enter the UNESCO-supported Global Design Challenge in Sport and Physical Activity and be in with a chance of securing seed funding and incubation support and further support.

Students will form a team in April and work virtually with students from Indian and Australian universities. The teams will co-create projects to tackle global challenges in and through sport and physical activity.

The UEL student teams will then travel in July/August 2022, to join up with their peers and deliver the project in the field in a global location. The funded four-week experience will also include networking opportunities with relevant organisations.

Who can apply

We encourage applications from students at all levels of study at UEL, from any course.

An interest in sport as a vehicle for change and community development is a must, although you do not need to be studying on a sport-specific degree.

This is a life-changing opportunity and students will be eligible to receive the Turing Scheme grant, which will help towards the costs of your accommodation and expenses while abroad.

The grant will also provide an additional 'top-up' to the cost of living grant and a travel grant to assist with the costs of flights for students who meet the following criteria:

with a low household income (for example, those with an annual household income of £25,000 or less)
receiving Universal Credit or income-related benefits because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them, such as a child or partner
who are care-experienced
who have caring responsibilities who are Estranged Students (students' parents cannot be found or it is not reasonably practicable to contact them)
who are Refugees and Asylum seekers

How to apply

Applications close on Friday 22 April 2022 at 12:00. Apply now.

We will ask you some questions about eligibility based on the criteria above. You will need to write a short statement describing your passion for changing the world through sport, let us know what you are currently studying and any relevant previous experience.

You will also need to express a preference to travel to India or Australia.

In addition, you must be able to travel during the summer and meet any relevant criteria that may be in place at this time (for example in relation to Covid vaccination status as required by UK and host country).

To express an interest or find out more, please email: