QEST Scholarships

The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) offers Scholarships of up to £18,000 for the training and education of talented craftspeople. We want to sustain vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts and contribute to excellence in the British craft industry.

Applications are now open and will close on Monday 12 February at 5 pm. To apply for a QEST Scholarship please register via the form below.

To support applicants in preparing their application for our Spring funding round, we held an online zoom session on Friday 19 January from 1-2pm. If you wish to access a copy of the recording, please email info@qest.org.uk

What does the scholarship programme support?

This programme supports the advanced skill development of craft professionals through the funding of craft training.

The training can take many forms, from traditional college courses to vocational one-on-one training with a master craftsperson, or a bespoke programme of short courses.

What will you receive?

A scholarship of up to £18,000

A funded place on the Cockpit Professional Development Programme. Read more here.

Who can apply?

Individual makers aged 18 or over, who are resident in the UK at the time of their application, with the right to live and work in the UK on a permanent or long-term basis.

When are applications open?

Applications are open twice a year:

Spring: Applications open from January to February with awards made in May.

Autumn: Applications open from July to August with awards made in November.

Please note, our scholarships are competitive and we receive many more applications than we can support. Strong applications are from makers who can demonstrate a high level of skill, a clear direction for their practice, and can articulate how the training will enhance their practice.

Before applying, read the complete application guidance here: QEST Scholarship application guidance 2024.

We offer an optional enquiry call to provide early-stage advice and guidance to individuals who consider themselves under-represented in the arts, crafts, or education sectors. These calls aim to support individuals to better understand the eligibility criteria and the assessment process. To book a call with our Grants Manager, please click here and select the date and time that works best for you.