The Samadhi Bursary Fund

Financial Assistance To Join A Retreat

At Samadhi, we are dedicated to making the profound benefits of meditation and Buddhist practices accessible to everyone. For this reason, we offer all our online activities and recordings freely. The Samadhi Bursary Fund was set up to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent passionate and committed individuals from participating in our retreats. Funded by generous donations from our community, these bursaries are intended for those who are genuinely unable to join due to financial constraints.

About the Bursary

What We Offer

The Bursary Fund provides partial or full financial support for attending our residential retreats, depending on our available funds and the applicant’s needs. Our typical awards cover 50% or 33% of the total retreat cost. Bursary spaces on each retreat are limited and applications must be received at least 4 weeks before, therefore we recommend that you contact us to check for availability.

Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply?

The bursary is open to anyone demonstrating significant financial need and a commitment to deepening their meditation and Buddhist practice. We particularly encourage applications from those experiencing financial hardship due to unemployment or low income, as well as students and ordained individuals without a steady income.

Application Process

How to Apply

Applying for a bursary is straightforward. Begin by emailing us at [email protected] to request an application form, which collects information about you, your financial situation and your background. Complete this form thoroughly and thoughtfully, and we will respond to you within 7 days with a decision. Applicants may also be required to provide a reference letter if they are not previously known to our organisation.

  1. Check Eligibility: Review the detailed eligibility criteria listed above.
  2. Request an Application Form: Send us a quick email to request a form, and complete this carefully and thoroughly.
  3. Reference (If Required): Have a reference sent to us by someone familiar with you/your practice. 
  4. Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the start of the retreat.

Selection Process

How We Decide

Applications are reviewed by our team. Decisions are based on demonstrated financial need and the potential impact of the retreat on the applicant’s practice. All applicants will be notified of our decision within 7 days of the application deadline.

After The Retreat

Bursary Recipient Obligations

Recipients are required to provide feedback (written or video) about their retreat experience. This is shared with donors and sponsors of the Bursary Fund. Recipients are also encouraged to engage with our online community sessions within a year of their retreat.

Support the Fund

Help Someone Attend a Retreat

Have you been on a retreat and felt the benefits for yourself? Are you in a position to be able to offer something to help others join too? Donate to the Samadhi Bursary Fund and sponsor a participant, helping us extend this opportunity to more people. Every contribution makes a difference.

Donors and sponsors will receive email updates about the bursaries we have offered and hear feedback from the people they have helped!

Donate to the Samadhi Bursary Fund

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Boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you donate. Gift Aid is reclaimed by the charity from the tax you pay for the current tax year. Your address is needed to identify you as a current UK taxpayer. If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.

I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

 

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Human Friendly Events

Samadhi is an inclusive organisation and we welcome people of all ages, genders (including gender identity), sexual orientation, abilities, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief.

As an LGBTQ-led Buddhist organisation, we strongly believe that no one should be discriminated against for any reason at all and subscribe to the ideals of non-harm and loving-kindness. You’re welcome no matter who you are and you’re free to express yourself authentically.