Talented or aspiring craftspeople can apply for up to £18,000 in funding to help take their craft to the next level, through the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST).

QEST is a charity that celebrates and supports talent within the British craft industry. It 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.

In the latest funding round, eligible craftspeople can apply for up to £18,000 in funding for Scholarships, up to £10,000 for Emerging Maker Grants and up to £12,000 for Apprenticeship training.

Applications close on Monday 12 August at 5pm.

Click the link to learn more, read the application guidelines and apply: https://www.qest.org.uk/apply/

QEST is also running three ‘How To Apply’ Zoom sessions to introduce interested makers to the different funding available, tips and advice for filling in an application and the opportunity for a Q&A:

• How to Apply for a Scholarship

Wednesday 17 July, 1pm-2pm

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsd-qrrzorGdGHaxvXpQONtT7pMbefUG6B

• How to Apply for an Emerging Maker Grant

Thursday 18 July, 1pm-2pm

Registration link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqcO2rqjwoGdCo9bt5qeEvax0i7eoorImu

• How to Apply for an Apprenticeship

Monday 22 July, 1pm-2pm

Registration link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrc-GoqzoqGtCd7SHz8npxQ0Bi56ZHm9rc

Find out more at:

QEST FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES