Grants
Scholarships and Grants
As is the case with sponsorships, the competition for scholarships is intense and they are difficult to get. There are several sources of information which will help you to find out more:
- The Local Education Authority and County Council will know about available scholarships
- Go to the library and ask for any books which contain scholarships or educational grants. If the library does not have them they will be able to borrow them on an inter-library loan. Most charities will give a grant to people they consider to be worthwhile causes and this includes people going on to higher education. This is especially relevant to students who find themselves in an unexpected situation and cannot finish their course without extra funds.
- Ask at your school or university they may have other ideas on about whom to contact, or know of some local scholarships.
- Several large companies will also offer studentships/scholarships to children of employees.
Lawrence Atwell's Charity
Lawrence Atwell's Charity was originally founded to "set poor people upon work" in 1588. Grants are awarded for vocational training and related costs (e.g. fees, rent, maintenance, travel, child care, books, equipment and so on). Grants for education (including GCSEs, A levels, first degrees and research) are not considered.
Applicants must be British citizens or refugees with indefinite leave to remain, over 16 and under 27 years of age. They must also come from demonstrably low-income backgrounds; parental income must not exceed £23,300 (with an additional allowance of £2,500 for each other dependent child). Trustees are only able to contribute towards a proportion of the funds required and applicants are expected to show how they intend to raise the remainder from other sources. trustees meet at the beginning of each month. The deadline for applications within any current academic year is Easter.
For application forms and further details, please telephone or write to: The Charities Administrator, Lawrence Atwell's Charity, Skinners' Hall, 8 Dowgate Hill, London EC4R 2SP, tel: 020 7213 0561
The Buttle Trust
The aim of the Trust's Student's and Trainee Support Scheme is to provide assistance with the acquisition of academic, trade, professional or vocational qualifications to young people facing severe social, emotional or health problems, or whose education has been seriously undermined by problems of this kind in the past.
Applicants must be over 16 and under 21 years of age and normally resident in the UK. Those with full Refugee Status or Exceptional Leave to Remain will also be considered.
Help is restricted to those who are estranged; orphaned; adopted; young carers or living in single parent families where there are problems in addition to financial hardship.
Further information: The Buttle Trust, 13 Palace Street, London SW1E 5HX, tel: 020 7828 7311, email: info@buttle.dircon.co.uk
The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland
Students of Scottish birth or with one parent born in Scotland or who have at least two years of their secondary education in Scotland may be eligible for financial assistance for fees to study for a first degree at a Scottish University. Those in receipt of an LEA grant or student's allowance are not eligible. Applicants must satisfy Trustees that they could support themselves during the course.
Contact: The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, Cameron House, Abbey Park Place, Dunfermline, Fife KY12 7PZ
The Worshipful Company of Cutlers
Captain F G Boot Scholarships
These Scholarships are awarded annually to applicants between the ages of 17 and 25 who are planning to spend at least six consecutive months in a foreign country in order to increase understanding of the language and culture of he country.
Applicants should have left school and either be awaiting entry to Higher Education or be at University undergoing study abroad as an integral part of the chosen course.
The awards (at least three are awarded annually) to a maximum of £1,000 per scholar are made in July. A completed Application Form is required, together with the names of two referees from whom letters of recommendation may be obtained. The closing date for submission of application forms is 12 June.
Further information and application forms may be obtained from: The Clerk, The Worshipful Company of Cutlers, Cutlers' Hall, Warwick Lane, London EC4M 7BR.
Sir John Cass's Foundation
The Sir John Cass's Foundation supports education for young people who live in inner London. The individual awards scheme is intended to help students to obtain recognised vocational, professional or academic qualifications through study on courses that are at least one academic year in length.
To be considered for a grant students must be :
- a permanent resident of inner London and have lived there for the past three years
- under 25 years of age
- studying for courses in higher education, postgraduate education or further education. Postgraduate awards are reserved for science, technology and engineering students and those undertaking professional courses.
Applications will only be considered from students permanently resident in the London Boroughs of Camden, City of London, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and Westminster.
Further information: Sir John Cass's Foundation, 31 Jewry Street. London EC3N 2EY
The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation
The Foundation allocates some £500,000 in grants annually for a wide range of arts and humanities, social science and science based initiatives as well as educational and cultural exchanges in both the UK and Japan. Grant applications are considered three times per year. Application forms should be submitted for November, March and July.
Other support includes, seven Daiwa Scholarships awarded to outstanding British graduates in all fields to enable them to learn Japanese. Daiwa Bursaries provide the opportunity for a smaller group of talented graduates and professionals, with or without Japanese language skills, to pursue a work placement in Japan.
Further information: Daiwa Foundation, Japan House, 13/14 Cornwall Terrace, London NW1 4QP.
tel: 020 7486 4348, fax: 020 7486 2914,
email: office@daiwa foundation.org.uk website: www.daiwa-foundation.org.uk
Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust
For applicants studying higher degrees in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science - postgraduate awards contact: PO Box 57, Tonbridge Kent TN9 1ZT
The Weavers' Company Scholarships
A total of £25,000 is divided each year between students who are British subjects and undertake to be employed in and for the benefit of the British textile industry. Awards may be made to students to study full time or on a sandwich course basis for Associateship of the Textile Institute or a textile degree in technology or design at a university or college. Awards may include the cost of maintenance, fees and books. There are also awards for professionally qualified people, and those with a first degree to do a Masters Degree, PhD or Fellowship of the Textile Institute, and to assist part time ATI students with fees and the purchase of books.
Contact: Mrs Freda Newcombe, Clerk to the Company, The Worshipful Company of Weavers, Saddlers' House, Gutter Lane, London EC2V 6BR
Anglo-Danish Society
Postgraduate awards to study in Danish Universities.
Contact: Anglo-Danish Society, Danewood, 4 Daleside, Gerrards Cross, Bucks SL7 7JF, tel: 01753 884846
Kennedy Memorial Trust
Postgraduate awards to study at Harvard or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Contact: 44 Westminster Palace Gardens, Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RR, tel: 020 7222 1151
Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research
Postgraduate awards for projects replacing the use of living animals.
Contact: 84a Tilehouse, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, tel: 01462 436819
The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers
One Undergraduate and one Postgraduate Scholarship are available each year for students studying at each of the following universities: Brunel, Cambridge, City, Glasgow Caledonian, Imperial, Sheffield, Teeside, UCL, UMIST and Warwick.
The Scholarships are worth £1,000 pa. The Undergraduate Scholarship is granted at the beginning of the student's third year to one who can show serious interest in instrumentation. These Scholarships are for a maximum of two years. Postgraduate Scholarships are awarded to those taking either an MSc/MPhil one year course, or those taking a PhD, in which case the Scholarship could be for a maximum of three years.
Contact The Clerk, The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers, 9 Montague Close, London SE1 9DD tel: 020 7407 4832
Institute of Physics
The Institute produces a booklet of contacts for sponsorship and work placements. For further information please contact: Education Department (Schools and Colleges), Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London W1N 3DH tel: 020 7470 4800,
e-mail: schools.education@iop.org, website:www.iop.org
Society for General Microbiology
A limited number of travel grants are available for postgraduate student members to attend SGM scientific meetings and overseas conferences.
Details of membership and grant schemes are available from www.sgm.ac.uk
The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE)
Engineering Scholarships and Awards are available each year to undergraduate students studying in the fields of electrical, electronic, information and manufacturing engineering, and to postgraduate engineering research students. Additionally a number of engineering travel awards and bursaries are available to IEE Members.
There are four categories of awards available:
- Undergraduate Awards
- Postgraduate Awards
- Travel Awards
- Bursary Awards
The Power Academy has been established to form an engineering scholarship fund for students studying electrical engineering. The Power Academy offers support and finance for the duration of the university course.
Further details of the scholarships and application forms are available at www.iee.org/scholarships
The IEE, Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 2AY
Tel: +44 (0)1438 313311
website: www.iee.org.uk
The Institution of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
The international body for marine engineers, marine scientists and marine technologists. For advice and support on careers, scholarships education, training and professional development and membership, contact the Institute at:
80 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5BJ
tel: +44 (0)207 382 2600 fax: +44 (0)207 382 2670 website@imarest.org
The Salters' Institute of Industrial Chemistry
Ten prizes each of £800 are offered to final year undergraduates studying at British universities who are expected to obtain an honours degree in chemistry or chemical engineering and intend to take up posts in the UK chemistry or chemical engineering industry either before the end of the year or after taking a higher degree or other qualification. Applications closing date is 12 January.
Further information: The Clerk of the Salters' Company, Salters' Hall, Fore Street, London EC2Y 5DE.
email: institute@salters.co.uk
Society for Promoting the Training of Women
The society grants interest free loans to educated women who wish to train for professional, commercial or technical work, but are unable to pay fees and other expenses.
Contact: The Secretary, Society for Promoting the Training of Women, Meadowbrook, Carlby Road, Greatford, Stamford PE9 4PR. tel: 01778 560978.
Institute of Logistics and Transport
There are a number of scholarships available from the Institute of Logistics and Transport.
Further information is available from the Professional Development Department. The Institute of Logistics and Transport, Logistics and Transport Centre, PO Box 5787, Corby, Northants NN17 4XQ,
tel: 01536 740100, fax: 01536 740101
website: www.iolt.org.uk, email: enquiry@iolt.org.uk
Paper Federation of Great Britain
Scholarships are available each year to students wishing to study for an Honours degree in Paper Science at UMIST. Contact: PFGB Papermakers House, Rivenhall Road, Swindon, Wilts SN5 7BD
tel: 01793 889600
The Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers)
The RGS-IBG has provided support and encouragement for overseas expeditions and field research since 1831. Outlined below are the grants available to those who wish to set up their own field research project, whether it be in life, social or earth sciences.
Expedition Research Grants
Grants are allocated twice a year, from a total fund worth £103,000, in March and October, to teams carrying out scientific field research overseas in remote and challenging environments. Grants are worth £750 to £3,000.
Individual Travel Awards
£500 for a geographical research project involving a period of overseas fieldwork of at least six months (the Violet Cressey-Marcks Fisher Scholarship). Applicants must be at a UK university but there is no age limit. £500 is also available for overseas travel in connection with biological study, teaching or research (the Dax Copp Fellowship). Application deadline: 25 January. Awards announced late March.
The Society does not have grants available to those under 19 years of age. We encourage this group to gain life skills through active fundraising and group activities. All enquiries are forwarded to the Young Explorers' Trust, and to other organisations for information and other opportunities. Young Explorers' Trust, c/o Mr Ted Grey, Stretton College, Wellow Road, Ollerton, Newark, Notts NG22 9AX.
tel/fax: 01623 861027
email: ted.yet2@demon.couk website: www.yet2.demon.co.uk
For details, application forms or further information, please contact: Grants Coordinator, RGS-IBG, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR tel:020 7591 3073,
fax: 020 7591 3031
email: grants@rgs.org website: www.rgs.org
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
To discuss sponsorships and prizes please contact the Marketing Department, The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, 63 Portland Place, London W1N 4AB.
tel: +44 (0)20 637 2311
email: beth.jenkins@cimaglobal.com
The Chartered Institute of Housing
The CIH has separate Trust Funds which can be made available through grants for assisting education and training in respect of CIH organised programmes such as Professional Qualification, CIH organised training courses, etc. Grants will not be awarded for travel, books, equipment etc.
Grants up to a maximum of £300 are available to assist cases where demonstrable hardship arises in respect of meeting course fees and no employer support available. Deadline for applications is the first week in May.
Further information please contact: Mark Kelly, CIH, Octavia House, Westwood Way, Coventry CV4 8JP.
tel: 024 7685 1776, fax: 024 7646 4928
email: housing.educ@cih.org
The Royal Town Planning Institute
A biennial award George Pepler International is made (currently £1500 - applications by March) to anyone under the age of 30 wishes to visit Britain or being resident in Britain wishes to visit another country for a short period in order to study some particular aspect of town and country planning.
Each applicant is required to submit a statement showing the nature of the study he or she proposes to undertake. At the conclusion of the visit, the recipient must submit a full report to the Council.
Contact: Awards and Events Assistant, Royal Town Planning Institute, 41 Botolph Lane, London EC3R 8DL
tel:020 7929 9494, fax: 020 7929 9490
email: georgepepler@rtpi.org.uk
Departmental Scholarships
Several university departments offer scholarships within the department. These will have to be tracked down on an individual basis but are well worth investigating. Awards can be up to £1000.
Other useful sources
The Grants Register, published by Macmillan
Educational Grants Directory, published by the Directory of Social Change. www.dsc.org.uk
Association of Commonwealth Universities, John Foster House, 36 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PF
National Union of Students, Nelson Mandela House, 461 Holloway Road, London N7
The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities. www.skill.org.uk
