Applications for the next round of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) will open from 12 July – 16 August 2021, offering scholarships of up to £18,000 for the training and education of talented craftspeople.

The QEST programme aims to sustain vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts and contribute to excellence in the British craft industry.

Scholarships are available to fund the education and training of any individual UK resident, aged 18 or older, who would like to improve their craft skills.

The programme welcomes applications from all talented craftspeople, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or nationality; and particularly encourages those with protected characteristics that are under-represented in the craft sector to apply.

QEST funds traditional college courses, vocational training or one to one training with a master craftsperson. It is looking for established makers, planning to stay in the UK and contribute to the craft sector.

It covers a broad range of crafts, with a particular focus on contemporary craftsmanship and innovative applications of traditional craft techniques. View the Directory for a flavour of the types of crafts and standard the programme has funded so far. It includes fashion and costume design, pattern cutting, knitwear design, bespoke tailoring, textiles, embroidery, kiltmaking, weaving, print design, jewellery, leather work, millinery and shoe making.

To provide more details on the application process, QEST is holding two online ‘How To Apply for a QEST Scholarship’ sessions on the following dates:

– 15 July 2021, 4-5pm.  Register here.

– 4 August 2021, 4-5pm. Register here.

FIND OUT MORE