Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £500,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 8-10 weeks from application close, plus 2 weeks post-interview
• Grant Range: £2,000 - £18,000
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom (national)

Contact Details

Website: www.qest.org.uk

Email: info@qest.org.uk

Phone: 020 7798 1531

Address: QEST Office, London (interviews conducted in person)

Overview

The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST, Charity No. 1152032) was established in 1990 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Warrant Holders Association and the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Since 2017, King Charles III has served as the organisation's patron. Over 34 years, QEST has awarded £7.4 million to almost 900 craftspeople working across 130 different craft disciplines throughout the UK. With an impressive 80% of alumni still practising their craft today, and 72% teaching or training future craftspeople, QEST has become the leading charity supporting traditional and contemporary craftsmanship in the UK. In 2024 alone, QEST awarded 52 grants totalling £500,000 through spring and autumn funding rounds.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

QEST offers three distinct grant streams, with applications accepted twice yearly (spring and autumn rounds):

• Scholarships: £2,000 - £18,000 (typically £5,000 - £18,000 for one year) - For talented craftspeople to cover tuition fees, living costs, training equipment, materials, transport, and accommodation costs during education and training. Scholars also receive access to the Cockpit Professional Development Programme.

• Emerging Maker Grants: £3,000 - £10,000 - Designed for early-career craftspeople who have recently completed formal training and are establishing their professional practice.

• Apprenticeships: £6,000 - £18,000 (up to £6,000 per year for up to 3 years) - To fund material costs and supplement wages for aspiring craftspeople undertaking formal apprenticeships.

Application Method: Online portal with two annual deadlines (spring and autumn rounds). Applications typically open in January and July. Decisions are made in May and October respectively, with training commencing from July or November onwards.

Priority Areas

QEST supports excellence in 130 craft disciplines including:

• Traditional heritage crafts: Stonemasonry, thatching, bookbinding, gilding, tapestry weaving
• Fine metalwork: Silversmithing, blacksmithing, jewellery, horology, repoussé
• Textile crafts: Weaving (including ikat/kasuri), embroidery, cordwaining, kiltmaking, textile design
• Woodwork: Furniture making, woodturning, carving
• Glass: Stained glass, glassblowing, architectural glass
• Other disciplines: Ceramics, leatherworking, marbling, basket weaving, sculpting, sign writing, guitar making

QEST actively encourages both traditional craftsmanship and innovative contemporary applications of hand-skills. The charity is particularly committed to supporting crafts at risk of dying out and preserving rare traditional techniques.

What They Don't Fund

• Non-craft related training or education
• Purely artistic pursuits without a craft skill component
• Projects where training is not the primary purpose
• Applicants under 18 years old
• Non-UK residents or those without long-term right to reside in the UK
• Retrospective funding for training already completed
• Projects where applicants do not intend to continue practising in the UK

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Governance and Leadership

Senior Leadership

Deborah Pocock LVO - Chief Executive Officer

Deborah is responsible for delivering QEST's strategic aims and vision, ensuring the charity maintains its position as the leading organisation in its sector. She emphasises the importance of business skills for makers: “Skills in marketing, pricing, defining your target audience and other key areas of running a business are crucial for makers in order to establish viable businesses and flourishing careers.”

On QEST's commitment to youth engagement, Deborah states: “QEST is committed to ensuring that all young people have the opportunity to meet inspiring makers through their local schools and colleges, and to find out more about the incredible array of careers that use hand-skills and creative thinking. We know that craft and making skills open the door to a range of fulfilling and sustainable professional pathways, but it can be difficult to find out about these opportunities.”

Board of Trustees

QEST Trustees undertake responsibilities divided between strategic direction, governance, oversight, and fundraising. The Board meets at least quarterly and holds legal accountability for the charity's work. Trustees work alongside experienced Skills and Industry Advisors who provide sector-specific expertise during the assessment process.

Organisational Philosophy

QEST articulates its selective approach clearly: "In certain artisan areas, there are very few master craftspeople still working now. Some crafts are at risk of dying out completely. Our aim is to keep these traditional crafts alive, and we do this by offering funding support to the amazing people who may spend many years learning these rare, traditional skills. Through our awards, we want to support the very best; we're looking for excellence."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through QEST's online portal during two annual application windows:

• Spring Round: Opens mid-January, closes early February (typically 10th February at 5pm)
• Autumn Round: Opens early July, closes mid-August (typically 9th July - 13th August)

Application Requirements:

• Completed online application form
• Clear training and education plan with realistic budget
• 5 high-quality images (2-4MB each) showcasing your work and range of skills
• Evidence of quotes or cost research for proposed training
• Demonstration of how the scholarship serves as an essential stepping stone

Assessment Process

QEST employs a rigorous three-stage assessment process:

1. Pre-Assessment: Initial review by QEST staff to ensure eligibility and completeness
2. First Stage Review: Applications assessed by experienced Skills Assessors working in specific craft sectors
3. Second Stage Review: Shortlisted applications reviewed by QEST Trustees and Skills and Industry Advisors
4. Interview Stage: Successful candidates invited to interview at QEST's London office

Decision Timeline

• Applications close (early February or mid-August)
• Applicants notified of outcome approximately 8-10 weeks after deadline
• Shortlisted candidates invited to interview in London
• Final decisions made within 2 weeks of interview
• Awards announced and granted in May (spring round) or October (autumn round)
• Training commences from July or November onwards

Success Rates

In 2024, QEST awarded 52 grants across both rounds. The autumn 2024 round awarded 19 grants (11 Scholarships, 5 Emerging Maker grants, 3 Apprenticeships). While QEST does not publicly disclose the total number of applications received, the charity emphasises that it seeks excellence and maintains selective standards.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly detailed on QEST's website. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact QEST directly at info@qest.org.uk to discuss eligibility and timing for reapplication.

Application Success Factors

What QEST Looks For

Excellence and Commitment: QEST seeks craftspeople working at the highest level in their chosen field, or those demonstrating exceptional potential to reach that level.

Clear, Honest Representation: "It's important to give an honest representation of their work, and have a clear plan as to how their further training and education would support and build on their current practice. When writing your application, be clear and concise."

Well-Defined Future Goals: “Outline your long term goals; they should be well defined and realistic. You should make sure to explain why this scholarship is an essential stepping stone and how your career will develop as a result of your training.”

Realistic, Research-Based Budget: “Your budget should be realistic and based on research, quotes or previous experience. The primary purpose of your application must be training and education. While other associated costs e.g. travel, accommodation, materials etc can be covered, they expect applications to predominantly be for costs relating to training.”

Minimum Funding Threshold: “QEST want to support applications that make an impact and therefore they expect the minimum funding request to be around £2,500.”

Professional Commitment to UK Craft Sector: Applicants must be practising professionally within craft and intending to continue practising in the UK, contributing to the UK craft industry.

Recent Funded Projects (2024 Examples)

• Natascha Maksimovic (Marbling) - Refining ink-making techniques and developing sustainable botanical pigments through specialised courses in the USA
• Jacob Monk (Hand-weaving) - Travelling to Japan for formal training in traditional kasuri (ikat technique)
• Natasha Redina (Stained Glass) - Master's degree in Glass and Ceramics at the Royal College of Art
• Willow Bloomfield (Metalwork) - Enhancing repoussé and vessel-raising skills through masterclasses with QEST Scholar Rauni Higson
• Fann Chau (Glassblowing) - Mastering traditional techniques at Michael Ruh Studio, focusing on freeform tableware and lighting design

Standing Out

High-Quality Portfolio Images: Upload 5 images that are high-quality (2-4MB), professionally presented, and demonstrate the full range of your skillset.

Contemporary Innovation: QEST is “excited by contemporary craftsmanship and innovative applications of traditional craft techniques” - demonstrate how you're pushing boundaries while respecting tradition.

Teaching and Legacy: With 72% of alumni teaching future craftspeople, QEST values applicants who will contribute to skills transfer and the sustainability of craft traditions.

Business Acumen: Consider articulating how you will develop sustainable business practices alongside technical skills, as QEST recognises the importance of viable craft careers.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply for meaningful amounts: QEST expects minimum requests around £2,500 and can award up to £18,000 - ensure your budget reflects the true cost of impactful training that will advance your career significantly.

• Training must be primary purpose: While ancillary costs can be covered, the bulk of your application should focus on education and training expenses - equipment, materials, and travel should be proportionate and secondary.

• Excellence is non-negotiable: QEST explicitly seeks “the very best” and those “working at the highest level” - your portfolio images and career trajectory must demonstrate exceptional skill or outstanding potential.

• Think long-term and UK-focused: Articulate clear, realistic career goals that contribute to the UK craft sector. QEST values applicants who will remain in the UK, teach future makers, and sustain endangered crafts.

• Be honest and specific: Avoid generic statements. Provide concrete details about your training plan, backed by research and quotes. QEST's three-stage review process involves sector-specific experts who will assess technical merit.

• Prepare for London interview: If shortlisted, you'll be invited to interview in person at QEST's London office. This face-to-face assessment is a crucial final stage, so factor in travel time and costs.

• Apply strategically: With only two rounds per year, timing matters. Ensure your training plans align with the July or November start dates following award announcements in May and October.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Football Foundation
• BREAST CANCER NOW
• ACTION MEDICAL RESEARCH
• THE MILLENNIUM TRUST
• WELLBEING OF WOMEN
• FINAL STRAW FOUNDATION
• BRAIN TUMOUR RESEARCH
• THE RIVERS TRUST
• YORK MINSTER FUND
• PRISONERS EDUCATION TRUST
• A WAY OUT
• HOLBECK TOGETHER
• IHEART PRINCIPLES LIMITED
• PROSPERO WORLD
• THE COTTON INDUSTRY WAR MEMORIAL TRUST
• THE SOUTH SQUARE TRUST
• THE INSPIRE FOUNDATION
• HANDS OF HOPE
• THE COMINO FOUNDATION
• MIND ASSOCIATION

References

1. QEST Official Website - www.qest.org.uk
2. QEST Scholarships Application Page - https://www.qest.org.uk/apply/scholarships/
3. Charity Commission Register - QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOLARSHIP TRUST LIMITED, Charity Number 1152032 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1152032
4. “19 New Grants Awarded to Skilled Makers Across the UK” - QEST News, Autumn 2024 - https://www.qest.org.uk/19-new-grants-awarded-to-skilled-makers-across-the-uk/
5. Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Elizabeth_Scholarship_Trust
6. UKFT - The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust - https://ukft.org/skills-and-training/what-we-do/funding-for-training/qest/
7. City & Guilds Foundation - “Funding for makers: Applications for QEST Grants” - https://cityandguildsfoundation.org/2025/01/funding-for-makers-applications-for-qest-queen-elizabeth-scholarship-trust-grants-open-until-10-feb/
8. Retail Jeweller - "Industry Opinion: QEST's Deborah Pocock" - https://www.retail-jeweller.com/news-and-insight/people/industry-opinion/industry-opinion-qests-deborah-pocock-25-01-2021/
9. QEST Trustees & Ambassadors - https://www.qest.org.uk/trustees-ambassadors/
10. Inspiring The Future - “Crafting Pathways for Young People: Celebrating Year 2 of Partnership” - https://www.inspiringthefuture.org/campaigns/making-the-future/