Students should consult websites and literature produced by the individual funding organisations for complete and up-to-date information & for relevant application forms.
ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES
The ACU considers that international academic mobility is now more important than ever. There are more opportunities, and more staff and students creating more demand. Yet gaps still remain; options for collaboration in the Commonwealth are limited compared with other regions, and many groups are excluded. At the ACU, we identify these gaps and find new ways to address issues of mobility. We currently run the following schemes: Commonwealth Scholarships in low and middle income countries; Grants and awards for ACU members
Contact: The Association of Commonwealth Universities, Woburn House, 20-24 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HF Tel: +44 (0)20 7380 6700
Website: https://www.acu.ac.uk/
BRITISH COUNCIL
The British Council encourages international students to come and study in the UK, and British students to experience life abroad.
Contact: Overseas Appointments Services, Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester, M1 6BB.
Website: https://www.britishcouncil.org
BFWG SCHOLARSHIPS
The British Federation of Women Graduates scholarships are for women who will be in their third year of doctoral studies or part time equivalent at the time when the awards are given out (the autumn of each year). The awards are given on the basis of evidence of academic excellence as shown on the application form, referee reports and, for those shortlisted, brief presentations of their research to a panel of academics. The amounts offered in awards range upwards from £1000 with the average award being around £3000. The number of awards made each year depends on the funds available and on the quality of the applications but six to ten awards are usually given.
Website: https://bfwg.org.uk/bfwg2/
E F BULMER BENEVOLENT FUND
The Fund sometimes makes small (under £500) one-off grants for individuals resident in Herefordshire for expenditure on particular essential/urgent items.
Email: efbulmer@gmail.com Website: http://www.efbulmer.co.uk
BUNAC (BRITISH UNIVERSITIES NORTH AMERICA CLUB)
The BEST (BUNAC Educational Scholarship Trust) scholarships offer financial assistance to eligible applicants who are looking to undertake postgraduate study in the USA or Canada. They are funded by the BEST Scholarship Trust which is an independent trust administered by BUNAC on behalf of the BEST trustees.
Website: http://www.bunac.org/bunac/scholarships-and-awards
THE CARNEGIE TRUST FOR THE UNIVERSITIES OF SCOTLAND
Established in 1901 under a Trust Deed signed by Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland aims to provide “funds for improving and extending the opportunities for scientific study and research in the Universities of Scotland”. For over a century, the Trust has funded student fees, scholarships, bursaries and research grants. It operates across all academic disciplines to encourage wider access to higher education and further research in the Scottish universities.
Various awards and bursaries are available at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Please see website for full details.
Contact: The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, Andrew Carnegie House, Pittencrieff Street, Dunfermline KY12 8AW Tel: 01383 724 990
Website: http://www.carnegie-trust.org/
THE PORTAL TRUST
To be eligible, applicants must permanently reside in London and have lived there for at least one year, be under twenty-five years of age, from a low income background, studying part-time or full-time on a course that is at least one year in length. The Trust can help with education costs (books, equipment, travelling costs), maintenance (living costs) and payment of tuition fees.
Contact: The Portal Trust, 31 Jewry Street, London, EC3N 2EY Tel. 020 7480 5884
Email: hello@portaltrust.org Website: https://portaltrust.org/
WINSTON CHURCHILL MEMORIAL TRUST
The Trust funds British citizens to investigate inspiring practice in other countries, and return with innovative ideas for the benefit of people across the UK. Travelling scholarships in various disciplines, including music.
Contact: Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, 29 Great Smith Street (South Door), London SW1P 3BL Tel. 020 7799 1660
Website: http://www.wcmt.org.uk/
DAAD (DEUTSCHER AKADEMISCHER AUSTAUSCHDIENST)
The DAAD’s extensive scholarship database for foreign students and graduates offers applicants a wide range of tips and information to help them successfully apply for a scholarship for a course of study, a research assignment or a teaching assignment in Germany.
Website: https://www.daad.de/en/
FULBRIGHT COMMISSION
Postgraduate Student Awards – Awards to UK citizens wishing to study in USA at postgraduate level, who hold at least 2:i Hons. degree (or equivalent) from a British University.
Website: www.fulbright.co.uk
GILCHRIST EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Applications are considered from students who have made proper provision to fund a degree or higher education course but find themselves facing unexpected financial difficulties which may prevent completion of it; also from students who are required, as part of their course, to spend a short period studying abroad. Applicants must be full-time students at a British University.
Details: Secretary, Gilchrist Educational Trust, 43 Fern Road, Storrington, Pulborough West Sussex RH20 4LW Tel: 01903 746723
Email: valconsidine@btinternet.com Website: http://www.gilchristgrants.org.uk/
THE JAPAN FOUNDATION
Provide funding for Japan-related arts and cultural activities across the UK, as well as organising events here at our London office and throughout the country. Their work is divided into four main areas of Performing Arts; Visual Arts; Film; and Publication, and they are also able to assist with bringing a range of cultural specialists to the UK.
Website: http://www.jpf.org.uk/artsandculture/
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND THE ARTS
Nesta is an innovation charity with a mission to help people and organisations bring great ideas to life.
Contact: NESTA, 1 Plough Place, London, EC4A 1DE Tel: 020 7438 2500
Email: information@nesta.org.uk Website: http://www.nesta.org.uk/
NEWBY TRUST
The Newby Trust is a charitable trust which makes grants to registered charities and to organisations for use on behalf of individuals in need. The principal purpose of the Trust is to enable people in the UK to improve their quality of life and fulfil their potential by providing funding for educational opportunities, social and financial needs and medical conditions.
Contact: Annabel Grout, Hill Farm, Froxfield, Petersfield GU32 1BQ
Email: info@newby-trust.org.uk Website: http://www.newby-trust.org.uk/
THE OLD POSSUMS PRACTICAL TRUST
The Trust‘s mission is to manage the funds at its disposal to support literary, artistic, musical and theatrical projects and organisations. Priority is given to requests that display enterprise in artistic endeavour and demonstrate high sustainability and contextual impact. Particular interest is taken in those projects that will have an impact on future literary work. See website for application form.
Contact: Old Possum’s Practical Trust, PO Box 5701, Milton Keynes, MK9 2WZ
Email: generalenquiry@old-possums-practical-trust.org.uk Website: http://www.old-possums-practical-trust.org.uk/page.cfm?pageid=300
OPPENHEIM-JOHN DOWNES MEMORIAL TRUST
The Trust was established under the Will of Mrs Geraldine Elsie Downes on her death in December 1969. Mrs Downes named the Trust in memory of her father E Phillips Oppenheim, the author, and her son, John Downes. Each year the Trustees distribute the income of the Trust in the form of awards which may be made to deserving artists of any kind, whether writers, painters, sculptors, musicians, dancers, actors, craftsmen or artists of any comparable nature or description who are unable effectively to pursue their vocation by reason of their financial difficulties. As a general guide the maximum award would be £1,000 but, in exceptional circumstances, the Trustees may consider making a larger award. The awards are made in December of each year with the closing date for applications being 7 October.
Contact: Hamish Frost, Trust Manager, 25 Melrosegate, York YO31 0RL
Email: oppenheimdownes@gmail.com Website: http://www.oppenheimdownestrust.org/index.html
JAMES PANTYFEDWEN FOUNDATION
Assistance to Welsh students requiring support for postgraduate study and some priority is currently given to those students undertaking postgraduate research work. Apply by end June.
Contact: Richard Morgan, Executive Secretary, The James Pantyfedwen Foundation, Pantyfedwen, 9 Market Street, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 1DL Tel. 01970 612806
Email: pantyfedwen@btinternet.com Website: http://www.jamespantyfedwenfoundation.org.uk/
ROTARY FOUNDATION
The Foundation has a number of different grants available – see website for full details.
Website: https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/take-action/apply-grants
SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION TRUST
The Trust has two broad aims: to give financial help at a critical stage in their development to Scots men and women who have shown ability and promise and wish to take their studies or professional training further in circumstances where public funds are not available; and to support projects which the Trust considers will contribute to the cultural, social or economic well being of Scotland or the improvement of the Scottish environment. The Trust makes grants amounting generally to about £30,000 annually. These are normally made up of grants to individual students who apply direct to the Trust.
Contact: The Director, Scottish International Education Trust, Turcan Connell, Princes Exchange, 1 Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh EH3 9EE
Email: siet@turcanconnell.com Website: https://scotinted.org.uk/apply/
THE SNOWDON TRUST
The Trust assists physically and sensory disabled people to access vocational and academic courses in the UK by awarding grants. These can be for equipment and essential study needs. We only give awards where funding cannot be met through other channels.
Contact: Snowdon Trust Unit, 18 Oakhurst Business Park, Southwater, West Sussex RH13 9RT Tel. 01403 732 899
Email: info@snowdontrust.org Website: http://www.snowdontrust.org/
SIR RICHARD STAPLEY EDUCATIONAL TRUST
The Trust supports the work of mature students of proven academic merit, and in financial need, who are pursuing further degree qualifications at an institution in the UK. Open to students from all countries, applicants must be resident in the UK at the time of applying, as well as during their course of study. The Trust supports postgraduate degrees in any subject, as well as courses in medicine or veterinary sciences taken as a second degree. The Trust also assists a small number of prisoners each year who are studying for postgraduate degrees. All grants are made annually, and are normally between £400 and £1,200.
Contact: The Administrator, The Stapley Trust, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AL
Email: admin@stapleytrust.org Website: http://www.stapleytrust.org/
THINKPOSTGRAD.COM
This website offers opportunities to consult the experts via a specialist postgraduate platform and range of services connecting intending postgraduate students, and Universities with study and funding opportunities to offer.
VANDERVELL FOUNDATION
Awards grants to individuals and institutions, primarily in the fields of education, social welfare and medical research.
Contact: Ms Valerie Kaye, Hampstead Town Hall Centre, 213 Haverstock Hill, London Tel: 020 7435 7546
Email: vandervell@btconnect.com
WINGATE FOUNDATION
Support in various categories including music as the Trustees recognise that music is seriously under-funded in the UK and will consider applications for support in those areas of music performance and education which do not readily attract backing from commercial sponsors or other funding bodies, or which are not eligible for public funding. Priority will be directed towards supporting the work or education of musicians based in, or wishing to study in, the UK, but by no means exclusively so. An important criterion will be whether, in the opinion of the Trustees, the funding sought will make a significant difference to the applicant’s prospects. Please see website for full detail.
Website: http://www.wingatefoundation.org.uk/
USEFUL WEB SITES
http://www.disability-grants.org/ – a useful search resource for grants for those with a disability
www.finaid.org/finaid/focus/itl-stud.html – a student guide to studying in the USA
https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/ – Help Musicians’ online funding wizard is very helpful for searching for funding
www.scholarship-search.org.uk – searchable database for undergraduate and postgraduate students
http://www.fmcim.org – excellent site where you can search for competitions by instrument/month/country etc.
https://www.gov.uk/student-finance -Information on student finance
http://www.grantsforindividuals.org.uk/ – part of the Directory for Social Change, this website holds extensive information on funding
https://www.gov.uk/career-development-loans/overview – information on career development loans, usually offered at a reduced interest rate and the government pays interest while you’re studying.
https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits – certain students may be eligible for benefit payments
http://studenteer.com – a Creative Arts campaign to provide a digital arts service to music charities to maintain the presence of music in the face of Covid-19. Connecting students and recent graduates interested in volunteering and willing to use their skills and free time to make positive changes during this challenging work climate.
https://www.ucas.com/ – UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service) holds information on funding on its website
http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/ – includes a guide to bursaries and scholarships
http://www.palgrave.com/gb/book/9781137434180 – provides details of the publication The Grants Register – The Complete Guide to Postgraduate Funding Worldwide, Palgrave Macmillan Reference Ltd.
http://www.rhinegold.co.uk/BMEYfree/ – access to a free downloadable guide to Music Education
Please inform the Trust of any mistakes or omissions by email to admin@munstertrust.org.uk