About the Empower Community Challenge
The Empower Community Challenge 2027 provides postgraduate students from the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science, and the Faculty of Engineering & Design with an opportunity to work alongside local organisations and make a positive impact in the community.
Students work in small interdisciplinary teams to address a real challenge identified by a participating organisation. Through the programme, students develop valuable employability skills including:
- teamwork
- project management
- communication
- problem solving
- stakeholder engagement
- leadership
At the same time, organisations benefit from fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and practical support for projects that can increase awareness, improve services, or strengthen community engagement.
Examples of suitable challenge projects include:
- market research and community consultation
- social media campaigns
- marketing and promotion
- awareness raising activities
- branding and communications development
- event planning and delivery
- service improvement initiatives
Please note: Fundraising projects will not be accepted, as the programme focuses on sustainable projects that deliver longer-term impact.
Eligibility
The Empower Community Challenge is open to charities, community organisations, social enterprises, and not-for-profit organisations that would benefit from the support of University of Bath postgraduate students.
We welcome applications from organisations that can provide students with a meaningful, achievable project that delivers value to both the organisation and the wider community.
Projects should be suitable for teams of three to four postgraduate students and be achievable within the challenge period between January and March 2027.
How to apply
To apply to become a partner organisation for the Empower Community Challenge 2027, complete the application form and submit it by 13 November 2026.
Applications should include:
- organisation details
- primary and secondary contact information
- a clear title for the proposed challenge
- background information about your organisation
- details of the challenge project
- the benefits the project will deliver
- any support, resources, or guidance your organisation can provide to students
After the application deadline, submissions will be reviewed and selected organisations will be notified in January 2027.
Successful organisations will then be matched with a team of postgraduate students who will work collaboratively to complete the challenge.
What makes a good challenge?
Successful Empower Community Challenge projects are:
- Achievable: Students will have approximately six weeks to complete the challenge. Projects should have clear, realistic outcomes that can be achieved within this timeframe
- Meaningful: Projects should address a genuine organisational need and provide a positive benefit to the community, service users, or stakeholders
- Collaborative: Organisations should be prepared to engage with student teams, attend meetings where appropriate, and provide information and guidance throughout the challenge period
- Sustainable: Projects should ideally create resources, recommendations, or activities that continue to provide value beyond the challenge itself
Timeline of events
The table below shows a full timeline for this scheme.
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | Applications open |
| 11 December 2026 | Application deadline |
| December 2026/January 2027 | Successful organisations announced |
| January 2027 | Launch event for students |
| February 2027 | Student teams assigned and introductory meetings take place |
| February to March 2027 | Students work on challenge projects |
| March 2027 | Challenge completion deadline |
| March 2027 | Empower Celebration Event |
Please note that dates may be subject to change.
Expectations of participating organisations
As a challenge partner, you will be expected to:
- provide a dedicated contact for the student team
- attend an initial project meeting
- respond to student enquiries in a timely manner
- provide relevant information and guidance throughout the project
- notify organisers of any periods of staff absence that may affect project support
- attend the Celebration Event where possible
This partnership helps students gain practical experience while enabling organisations to benefit from new ideas and additional project support.
Apply to take part
If your organisation would like to participate in the Empower Community Challenge 2027, please contact us at empower@bath.ac.uk
The application deadline is 11 December 2026.