Talented or aspiring craftspeople can now apply to the QEST’s Spring funding round to receive up to £18,000 for Scholarships, up to £10,000 for Emerging Maker Grants and up to £12,000 for Apprenticeship training. The deadline for entries is Monday 12 February at 5pm. Scroll down to find out more.

The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) is a charity that celebrates and supports talent within the British craft industry. QEST funds the training and education of craftspeople to allow them to hone their skills, transform their careers and strengthen the future of the sector. Since 1990, it has awarded 800 individuals working across 130 craft disciplines, including:

Pattern Cutting, Bespoke Tailoring, Knitwear Design, Leather Art, Millinery, Textile Conservation, Shoemaking, Embroidery, Passementerie, Woven and Constructed Textiles, Printmaking, Jewellery and engraving, Basketry, Textile Design, Saddlery, Hand Weaving and more.

QEST offers several types of funding and support including Scholarships, Emerging Maker Grants and Apprenticeships.

QEST Scholarships

Makers aged 18 or over residing in the UK at the time of their application and with the right to live and work in the UK can apply for a QEST Scholarship.

The programme supports the skills development of craft professionals through the funding of craft training, including college courses, vocational one-on-one training with a master craftsperson, or a bespoke programme of short courses.

Successful applicants can receive up to £18,000 and a funded place on the Cockpit Professional Development Programme.

The deadline for entries is 12 February at 5pm.

QEST Emerging Maker Grants

Makers aged 18 or over residing in the UK at the time of their application and with the right to live and work in the UK can apply for a QEST Emerging Maker Grant. Applicants must intend to continue practicing in the UK and contribute to the sector.

This new funding opportunity is open to talented craftspeople at an early stage in their career (who have been practising professionally for four years or less).

It supports makers through the funding of training and education programmes, including college courses, vocational one-on-one training with a master craftsperson, or a bespoke programme of short courses.

Successful applicants can receive up to £10,000.

The deadline for entries is 12 February at 5pm.

QEST Apprenticeships

QEST Apprenticeships require a collaborative application from an organisation or master and the individual apprentice.

Apprentices aged 18 or above at the time of the application and living in the UK with the right to reside permanently in the country can apply for a QEST Apprenticeship. They must have some experience in the field and be either employed or working closely with a craft master or company before applying.

The employer must be a UK micro-business or sole trader, with a turnover of less than £632,000 and fewer than 10 employees.

Successful applicants can receive an apprenticeship funding of up to £12,000 to contribute to the apprenticeship’s salary.

The deadline for entries is 12 February at 5pm.

Find out more at:

QEST FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES