Charities, trusts, awards, grants, scholarships and sponsorship

• EGAS (Educational Grants Advisory Service) - for advice and guidance on finding and applying to charities and trusts, which might apply to you, contact the Provides some information online including information on charitable trusts. Student advice line available on Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10-12 noon, 2-4 pm. Tel: 020 7254 6251.
  
  
• Award search - a searchable database of scholarships, bursaries and awards, by various criteria and by institution, in the financial aid section of studentmoney, managed by UCAS and Hotcourses.
  
  
• A - Z of UK charitable trusts - online information from the Association of Charitable Foundations, also good links to UK charitable trusts, UK voluntary sector umbrella bodies, international bodies and related organisations.
  
  
• Applying to Charitable Trusts - useful information leaflets from the Association of Charitable Foundations, also good links to UK charitable trusts, UK voluntary sector umbrella bodies, international bodies and related organisations.
  
  
• Applying to a Charitable Trust or Foundation - advice from access-funds.co.uk, free 7 day trial.
  
  
• Educational trusts (selected) - grants from charities and trusts for postgraduate and other students, from Prospects.
  
  
• Educational Trusts' Forum - grants available, small number for FE and sixth form college students, as well as for students attending independent schools or state schools where a boarding fee is charged.
  
  
• Funderfinder - good information, including detailed online advice pack and software, including software to help apply for funds.
  
  
• Funders Online - search engine site for international funding organisations, also key information and practical tips on how to research independent funders, how to package a project proposal and where to find additional information, both in print and online, on foundations and corporate funders, as well as on fund-raising. Search options include education and student aid/grants to individuals in advanced search.
  
  
• Fundraising Guide from i-to-i - interesting entrepeneurial approach to fundraising for volunteering abroad with plenty of suggestions and advice, available in different formats, text only, PDF and Word.
  
  
• International Education Financial Aid - online database on grants, loans, scholarships for studying abroad.
  
  
• Register of Educational Endowments - information on Scottish trusts from the Student Awards Agency for Scotl&, who will search the register if you complete an online enquiry form or Tel: 0845 111 1711.
  
  
• Scholarship Search UK - search for scholarships for undergraduate scholarships and grants offered by academic institutions, commercial organisations and charitable trusts

This is not a comprehensive list of online charities and trusts, so it is important to get advice from college advisors or advice organisations, such as Citizens Advice Bureau or Councils of Voluntary Service, or you can borrow or buy a copy of the "Educational Grants Directory" or the "Guide to Grants for Individuals in Need" from   Amazon books or Directory of Social Change.

• Association of Charitable Foundations - links to variety of educational and other charities online.
  
  
• City and Guilds grants - small number or educational grants (bursaries) to study for a City and Guilds qualification, to cover course fees (if you have no other funding), costs of a break from work while you re-train, childcare or travel expenses or other costs that are making it difficult for you to enrol on a course. Applications considered June and December and might need to attend an interview. No age limit.
  
  
• Crichton Foundation - Bursaries and grants for Adult Education and Mature Students over 26, at the University of Glasgow, Crichton Campus, University of Paisley, Dumfries Campus and Bell College of Nursing, Dumfries.
  
  
• Education Action International - Ladder Study Grant Programme for young refugees and asylum seekers 16 - 25, Initial Study Grant for marginalised refugees and asylum seekers such as refugee women, isolated and dispersed asylum seekers and disabled and elderly people, Health Professionals Grants Scheme (asylum seekers without permission to work are not eligible).
  
  
• Elizabeth Nuffield Educational Fund - childcare costs for student mothers and for women refugees who are studying for a professional re-qualification.
  
  
• Funderfinder - a well regarded software package for identifying UK charities, trusts and grants. The site also has a very useful set of links to trusts online, not all of which are educational.
  
  
• Helena Kennedy Bursary Scheme - established to encourage social inclusion and widening participation in further and higher education, directly supporting the 'second chance' education of individual students by awarding one-off annual bursaries of £1000 e.g. helping towards the cost of accommodation, books, equipment, computers, tuition fees and childcare or other costs. Especially useful for Further Education students - discuss with student services staff.
  
  
• Laura Ashley Foundation - grants to individuals in education, including Further Education courses, vocational MA courses leading to employment - fashion, textile, art related subjects also to music, conservation and restoration students, to talented individuals - to support excellence in various fields for gifted individuals and to group projects - for encouragement to low achievers to gain employment or further training.
  
  
• Lions Clubs International Youth Exchange - exchange activities around the world.
  
  
• NESTA - Ignite - support for creative young people 16 - 21 through through partnerships with a NESTA Fellow or another high profile creative adult.
  
  
• The Prince's Trust - Development Awards for young people 14 - 25 for education and training and for starting a business.
  
  
• Rotary International - The Rotary Foundation and local Rotary Clubs offer individual grants to subsidize travel of individuals or small groups (2-5 people) for qualified international humanitarian service in Rotary countries for periods of up to 60 days, also scholarships and study exchanges.
  
  
• Royal British Legion - training grants for unemployed ex-Service people, ex-Service people in low paid employment and London taxi drivers.
  
  
• Scholarship Search UK - search for scholarships for undergraduate scholarships and grants offered by academic institutions, commercial organisations and charitable trusts.
  
  
• Shell Livewire - advice, support and competitions for young people (16 - 30) starting their own business, includes a new e-commerce advice section, also online discussion forum, essential business kit, small working styles quiz.
  
  
• Sources of Funding For International Students - information about scholarships for international students wanting to study in the UK, from the British Council.
  
  
• STA Travel Trust - financial support for community work abroad producing tangible benefits for communities, for young people 18 - 26, closing dates 31st March and 30th September.
  
  
• Student Disability Assistance Fund - from BAHSHE (British Association of Health Services in Higher Education), £500 maximum, for personal assistance, adaptations or equipment, especially where a student does not qualify for the Disabled Students Allowance.
  
  
• UK 9/11 Scholarships Fund - for people who have lost a parent or guardian as a result of the terrorist attacks in the USA Sept. 11th 2001, including mature students. Covering full-time study leading to a degree at undergraduate or Master’s level (or equivalent in further education) in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, or at recognised higher education institutions with an exchange agreement with a partner institution in the UK.

There are some scholarships and bursaries for students awarded by individual universities, colleges and other organisations. These are awarded on a competitive basis, and competition is strong. Some scholarships are open to undergraduates of any subject. Others are for particular subject areas. Scholarships are likely to provide no more than a small financial supplement to funding from other sources.

• Army Education Grants - support for continuing studies at schools, colleges or universities, grant could be up to £1,500 for each year of your course, dependent on following specific subject areas.
  
  
• Award search - a searchable database of scholarships, bursaries and awards, by various criteria and by institution, in the financial aid section of studentmoney, managed by UCAS and Hotcourses.
  
  
• International Education Financial Aid - online database on grants, loans, scholarships for studying abroad.
  
  
• International Scholarships Online - another online database on grants, loans, scholarships for studying abroad, US based site.
  
  
• Masterclasses - awards for exceptionally able children and young people 5 - 18, to attend specific day, weekend or week-long or courses with specialist tutors.
  
  
• Scholarship Search UK - search for scholarships for undergraduate scholarships and grants offered by academic institutions, commercial organisations and charitable trusts.
  
  
• Skills for Business: Sector Skills Development Agency - check for training grants from the relevant Sector Skills Council, many of whom provide grants to individuals for training.
  
  
• Study awards and competitions - selected awards and competitions.
  
  
• Windsor Fellowship - school, post-16 and higher education bursaries, grants and programmes for black and asian students.
  
  
• Year in Industry - paid employment and management training opportunities, with some sponsorships available at the end in selected companies, with information for students, companies, teachers, advisors and parents.
  
  
• For further information, consult course prospectuses and course providers, also:
  University Scholarships and Awards 2003 - Brian Heap, Trotman, Sept. 2002

• Army Education Grants - support for continuing studies at schools, colleges or universities, grant could be up to £1,500 for each year of your course, dependent on following specific subject areas.
  
  
• Awards, sponsorships and scholarships for chemical science degree students - summary of some of the awards, sponsorships or scholarships available for 17-18 year old students wanting to study chemical science degrees, from the Royal Society of Chemistry (pdf file).
  
  
• Awards for business and management students - from the Association of Business Schools (pdf format).
  
  
• Association of Medical Research Charities - general information and help about charities to support studies and work related to medical research, including postgraduate, clinical, project, travel and equipment grants.
  
  
• Awards, sponsorships and scholarships for chemical science degree students - summary of some of the awards, sponsorships or scholarships available for 17-18 year old students wanting to study chemical science degrees, from the Royal Society of Chemistry (pdf file).
  
  
• Awards for young musicians - links to organisations with information about funding for musicians.
  
  
• BUSA Sports Scholarships - information on scholarships at UK universities.
  
  
• Bursaries for Journalism - for University of Leeds and other journalism students.
  
  
• Dance and Drama awards - information for students and staff on awards given by audition and/or interview. For students 16+ for dance courses, 18+ for acting or stage management courses. Site includes information on fees and maintenance awards for 2004 - 5.
  
  
• European Training for Staff in Adult Education - opportunity to develop skills outside of the UK in areas e.g. teaching and methodology, coaching or counselling skills, understanding adult education in Europe, or managing European projects, up to €1500, Grundtvig training grants open to anyone involved in the delivery of adult education: teachers, trainers, managers, counsellors, mentors and union learning representatives.
  
  
• European Training for Trainee Teachers - up to €500 for student teachers to undertake a period of supervised study and, where possible, practical training in another European country for 1 - 10 weeks.
  
  
• Financial Help for Healthcare Students - online booklet (PDF format only), also link to NHS Performance Ratings.
  
  
• Funding training as a barrister - information on Chambers' Pupillage Awards and Guaranteed Earnings grants, Bar Council Scholarship Trust, Inns of Court Scholarships and other sources of funding.
  
  
• Industry and engineering - general and postgraduate awards.
  
  
• Financial Planning for those considering a career as a Solicitor or Barrister - general information on grants, bursaries, scholarships, loans and other options for intending solicitors and barristers.
  
  
• Information on NHS courses - basic information on bursaries and financial help for medical and dental courses and health professional courses.
  
  
• Information for teachers and student teachers - links to key websites, for help with loans, bursaries, "golden hellos", training awards, incentives and grants in England and Wales.
  
  
• Music awards - general and postgraduate awards, for study, instrument purchase and research, aged 18 +.
  
  
• NHS bursaries and allowances - for students on nursing, midwifery, Allied Health Professional, medical and dental courses.
  
  
• Perry Foundation - research and scholarships for agriculture.
  
  
• Paul Hamlyn Foundation Publishing Training Scheme - grants to publishing training schemes for voluntary organisations.
  
  
• Science and Medicine - support funds for undergraduates and funding for postgraduate study.
  
  
• Social Work grants - grants (bursaries) for students and providers of training for the Diploma in Social Work, also includes practice learning fund to support work experience.
  
  
• Social Sciences - mainly postgraduate funding.
  
  
• Study awards and competitions - selected awards and competitions, mainly library, media and writing awards, from HERO website.
  
  
• Training grants for legal aid solicitors - to meet the tuition fees of students on the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and grants to support the provision of training contracts for successful LPC students Tel: 020 7759 0491.
  
  
• EU funding Socrates-Comenius Programme - individual grants for language teacher training courses, between 1 and 4 weeks, which take place in a country where the target language is spoken and taught.
  
  

Sponsorships

Sponsorships for students on full-time courses (usually a degree) are offered by a number of employers and related organisations. Sponsorships vary considerable, but could include a bursary (which would be additional to the normal available financial support) and guaranteed vacation work or spending work experience placements at the company, for students on sandwich courses.

Students don't often enter into a formal agreement to work for the sponsor on graduation, the sponsorship allows employers to introduce prospective graduates into the company, and it is intended that in some cases, this will lead to a job offer on graduation. Most sponsorships are in vocational subjects, such as engineering, construction and business-related fields. Competition is strong for the limited number of sponsorships available.

• Awards, sponsorships and scholarships for chemical science degree students - summary of some of the awards, sponsorships or scholarships available for 17-18 year old students wanting to study chemical science degrees, from the Royal Society of Chemistry (pdf file).
  
  
• Everything You Wanted to Know - sponsorship, placements and graduate opportunities, including links to major companies and projects, also useful information and advice about sponsorships.
  
  
• The UK Sponsorship Database - wide range of sponsorship categories, including education but mainly limited to related links.
  
  
• Year in Industry - paid employment and management training opportunities, with some sponsorships available at the end in selected companies, with information for students, companies, teachers, advisors and parents.