Training bursary for Army veterans
19th May 2023 | ANNOUNCEMENTS
This training bursary is targeted at British Army veterans. It is funded by the Army Benevolent Fund and is one of a suite of awards and bursaries offered by Heritage Crafts to support and celebrate craftspeople. We also have a bursary for non Army veterans we are running concurrently – click here.
Apply for up to £4,000 to start training in a heritage craft or to further develop your skills.
The need for gainful employment utilising a range of practical skills gained through military service is well-documented, along with the mental wellbeing benefits of such employment.
You could be just starting out on your journey in craft or at the point where you want to turn a hobby into a career, or you could already be a maker who is looking to further develop your heritage craft skills.
Applicants will be selected based on the quality of the training provided and the likelihood of continuation and gainful employment. The training will be overseen by relevant tutors or trainers as nominated by the successful candidate and approved by Heritage Crafts assessors. This can include either accredited courses or informal learning identified by the applicant, and the quality of the training will be verified by Heritage Crafts staff before any funding is awarded.
Successful applicants will be asked to commit at least £500 towards to the cost of their training in order to demonstrate the required level of commitment, and this will be verified with the nominated training provider.
If you are new to a craft and you would like assistance with finding a trainer, please get in touch and we will do what we can to help. Successful applicants will be supported by the Heritage Crafts team to develop an action plan. We will work with you to monitor progress and support you to achieve your aims.
What can this grant be used for?
There are a number of routes to learning a craft skill. Applicants can apply for a grant for any amount up to £4,000 which can cover or contribute towards:
- the costs of training with a craftsperson;
- the costs of attending a specialist training course;
- the costs of attending an accredited training course;
- undertaking a self-directed programme of training with one or more craftspeople;
- the cost of specialist tools or materials, books or study materials (no more than 25% of total budget).
The bursary cannot be used for general living expenses, research, promotional activities or anything else.
How to apply
Please apply by completing the application form, which also contains more information about the bursary including the assessment criteria. We will also accept a video application of no more than 10 minutes in length in which you address all of the questions in the form.
Assessment, shortlisting and final selection will be carried out by the Heritage Crafts judging team, and interviews will be carried out by Zoom.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 8 September 2023. If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, please email Tess Osman at [email protected].