The Britain-australia Society Education Trust (baset)

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 803505
• Annual Income: £46,915 (2025)
• Annual Expenditure: £78,831 (2025)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £10,000+ per award (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom and Australia (bilateral exchanges)
• Award Types: Individual scholarships and educational awards
• Decision Time: Approximately 2 months after application close

Contact Details

Main Contact:

• Address: Australia Centre, Strand, London WC2B 4LG
• Phone: +44 (0) 20 7630 1075
• Email: baset@britain-australia.org.uk
• Website: www.britain-australia.org.uk

Overview

The Britain-Australia Society Education Trust (BASET) was registered as a charity on 16 July 1990 (Charity Number 803505) and is run by a voluntary board of trustees with administrative support from The Britain-Australia Society. BASET's mission is to provide financial support for young people in both the United Kingdom and Australia to enable them to gain experience and learn skills, strengthening the links and enriching the relationship between the two countries. The organization operates with an annual income of approximately £47,000 and annual expenditure of approximately £79,000, demonstrating active grant-making that exceeds annual income through strategic use of reserves.

BASET provides talented young people with “a life changing opportunity to develop new skills, broaden their horizons and realise their potential” through a comprehensive and innovative range of educational awards. The trust is recognized by HMRC for gift aid and maintains robust policies including financial controls, safeguarding, and conflict of interest management. The organization's work focuses exclusively on facilitating educational exchanges and travel opportunities between Britain and Australia, creating unique cross-cultural learning experiences.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

BASET operates three main award streams plus the separately administered Northcote Trust scholarships:

1. Pioneer School Awards

• Target: Secondary school students
• Value: Fully-funded four-week placement
• Description: Awards provide a fully immersive experience in which students attend lessons in a local school, follow the Australian curriculum, and stay with a host family or in a boarding house during the UK summer holidays
• Application Method: Two-stage application process through partner schools
• Partners: Schools including Canberra Grammar School, Haileybury Melbourne, and Dulwich College participate in selection
• Recent Example: Two Year 12 students from SSLP schools received awards to attend Canberra Grammar School for four weeks in August 2024, with all expenses paid

2. Endeavour Heritage Awards

• Target: Young adults studying conservation of historical buildings and artefacts
• Value: £5,000-£10,000 per student
• Description: Fund students who need to travel from Australia to Britain, or Britain to Australia, because the specialist training courses they require are not available in their home countries
• Application Method: Through partner educational institutions
• Partners:
• West Dean College: £10,000 match funded with Edward James Foundation divided between two students (£5,000 each if only one student); application deadline 1 April 2026
• City & Guilds of London Art School: £10,000 per year toward international student tuition fees (£18,500 per year); available for three years to Australian nationals on BA (Hons) Conservation courses
• Specialisms: Architectural stone carving, woodcarving, gilding, conservation of historical books and manuscripts, ceramics conservation, musical instruments conservation

3. Endeavour Career Skills Awards

• Target: Young adults in vocational training
• Value: Varies by program; typically covers full placement costs
• Description: Fund internships and placements providing real-world industry experience
• Current Programs:
• Viticulture & Oenology: Four-week placement for two students from Plumpton College to work at Hungerford Hill in the Hunter Valley, Australia
• Thoroughbred Racing: BASET Thoroughbred Endeavour Award created in partnership with Godolphin, British Racing School (BRS), and Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC); six-month racing stable placement during peak racing seasons for exchange between Australia and UK students
• Equine Industry: Awards supporting young people entering equine and racing industries
• Application Method: Through partner institutions and industry bodies

4. Northcote Trust Postgraduate Scholarships (Administered by BASET)

• Target: UK residents pursuing postgraduate research in Australia
• Value: Full funding including economy class return airfares, A$2,000 relocation payment, full tuition and compulsory fees, OSHC medical insurance, mandatory COVID-19 costs up to A$3,000
• Duration: Up to three years for PhD; shorter for Masters with significant research component
• Eligibility: Must be normally resident in the UK (or its dependencies/territories); no limitation on field of study; only PhDs and research-based Masters accepted (not professional qualifications)
• Application Deadline: Late August annually
• Decision Timeline: Approximately 2 months after submission (end of October)
• Number of Awards: 1-3 new PhD and/or MA scholars each year
• Application Requirements: Two references, firm offer from Australian university (or provisional acceptance with statement from host institution)

Priority Areas

BASET focuses on:

• Cross-cultural educational exchanges between Britain and Australia
• Conservation and heritage skills development
• Vocational career development in specialist industries (viticulture, equine, racing)
• Secondary school immersion experiences
• Postgraduate research collaboration
• Students requiring international travel to access specialist training unavailable in their home country
• Young people demonstrating financial need who could not otherwise afford these opportunities

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, BASET does not fund:

• Programs outside the UK-Australia bilateral relationship
• Undergraduate degrees (except through specific conservation partnerships)
• Professional qualifications at Masters level without significant research component
• Students who do not require international exchange to access their desired training
• Organizations (only individuals receive awards)
• General educational expenses unrelated to UK-Australia exchange

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

BASET is governed by a board of 9 trustees:

• Mr. Gregory James Mulley - Chair (appointed 30 January 2017)
• Ms. Pauline Lyle-Smith - Deputy Chair
• Mr. John May - Chair of Trustees (per LinkedIn; may be same role as Mulley or recent change)
• Mr. Charles Jefferis Woodburn Benson KC - Trustee
• Professor Emeritus Carl Bridge - Trustee
• Ms. Sally Martin - Trustee
• Mr. Keith Newton - Trustee
• Ms. Alison Payne - Trustee

Key Leadership Profiles

John May, Chair of Trustees: An experienced independent non-executive with over thirty years of experience advising, managing and investing in businesses, both in the UK and overseas. He studied at Christ's College, Cambridge and brings extensive business advisory experience spanning multiple decades in the UK and internationally.

Professor Emeritus Carl Bridge: An eminent Australian historian and academic, Professor Emeritus of Australian History at King's College London. He served as director of the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies, King's College London from 1997 to 2014. Professor Bridge has published extensively on Australia's relations with Britain, the United States and New Zealand, and was a key figure in establishing the field of British World history. His expertise in Australia-Britain relations provides significant strategic insight to BASET's mission.

Leadership Quotes

John May, Chair of Trustees: “We are thrilled to have partnered with The British Racing School and Thoroughbred Industry Careers to create this incredible opportunity for our award winners, helping them to gain international experience working in racing.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

BASET does not operate a single centralized application process. Applications are facilitated through different channels depending on the award type:

Pioneer School Awards:

• Applications go through partner schools and local education partnerships
• Two-stage process:
• Stage 1: Application through school; first-stage interviews with partner organizations (e.g., SSLP & Dulwich College)
• Stage 2: Shortlisted applicants complete BASET-specific application form; BASET conducts second-stage interviews
• Timeline: First-stage applications typically close in mid-November; interviews in November/December; awards offered in December

Endeavour Heritage Awards:

• Applications made through partner educational institutions (West Dean College, City & Guilds of London Art School, etc.)
• Applicants must first apply to and be accepted by the educational institution
• The institution's Grants Committee considers applications, then details are sent to BASET for approval
• BASET may request an interview with the nominee before confirming the award
• Applicants must demonstrate financial need and that the BASET Award will enable them to undertake their studies
• West Dean College deadline: 1 April 2026

Endeavour Career Skills Awards:

• Applications facilitated through industry partners (Plumpton College, British Racing School, Thoroughbred Industry Careers, etc.)
• Students typically identified through their training programs
• Partnership organizations nominate candidates to BASET

Northcote Trust Postgraduate Scholarships:

• Direct application to BASET with specific application form
• Requires two references from persons able to assess academic potential and character
• Must provide firm offer from Australian university or provisional acceptance with supporting statement
• Applications close late August
• Decisions communicated approximately 2 months later (end of October)

General Inquiries:

For organizations interested in joining BASET's network and participating in the award programme, contact baset@britain-australia.org.uk

Decision Timeline

• Northcote Scholarships: Approximately 2 months from application deadline (late August) to decision (end of October)
• Pioneer School Awards: Applications close mid-November; interviews November/December; awards offered December (approximately 1 month)
• Endeavour Awards: Timeline varies by partner institution; West Dean applicants must apply by 1 April, with decisions following institutional review process

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly available. However:

• Northcote Trust: Awards 1-3 new scholars annually
• Pioneer School Awards: Recent announcement mentioned 5 talented secondary school students receiving awards
• Competition appears to be selective, with multi-stage interview processes for most programs
• Partner institutions pre-screen candidates before BASET final approval

Reapplication Policy

No explicit reapplication policy is stated. Given the single-opportunity nature of many educational exchange programs and BASET's focus on enabling specific educational experiences (e.g., conservation training, school exchanges), programs appear designed for one-time awards rather than recurring support. Unsuccessful applicants should contact BASET directly about reapplication possibilities.

Application Success Factors

Based on recipient testimonials and program descriptions, successful BASET applicants demonstrate:

1. Financial Need

Applications must demonstrate that the BASET Award will enable them to undertake their studies. The organization explicitly states that students must show they require this funding to access the opportunity. Eleanor, a book conservation award recipient, noted the award allowed her to complete her Master's “free from financial stress.”

2. Need for International Exchange

BASET specifically focuses on funding students who need to travel between Australia and Britain “because the specialist training courses they require are not available in their respective home countries.” Applications should clearly articulate why the specific program or experience is not accessible in the applicant's home country.

3. Talent and Potential

The organization consistently describes recipients as “talented young people” and seeks those who will “realise their potential.” Academic excellence and demonstrated aptitude in the chosen field are clearly important.

4. Cultural Exchange Commitment

Successful applicants embrace the bilateral exchange mission. Pioneer Award recipients are expected to “take full advantage of extra-curricular and sporting opportunities on offer during their stay,” demonstrating genuine engagement with cross-cultural learning beyond academics.

5. Clear Career Trajectory

Career Skills Award recipients show clear professional goals. Grace McBeath, receiving the Thoroughbred Award, demonstrated commitment to “expanding my knowledge internationally” in her chosen field. Amy Walsh, after her ceramics conservation award, has been “practising as a conservator since her return to Sydney in 2019,” showing BASET values applicants who will apply their training professionally.

6. Strong Institutional Support

Applications go through partner institutions, meaning strong references and institutional nomination significantly impact success. The Grants Committee review process at partner organizations serves as first-tier vetting.

7. Research Quality (Northcote Scholarships)

For postgraduate awards, trustees “will only accept applications for PhDs and Masters programmes with a significant research-based component,” indicating research quality and academic rigor are paramount.

8. Alignment with Specific Partnerships

Understanding BASET's strategic partnerships helps. For example, the Thoroughbred Award was “created in partnership with Godolphin, The British Racing School (BRS) and Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC),” so applicants through these partners should demonstrate awareness of the collaborative nature of the opportunity.

Recent Success Stories

Eleanor - Book & Library Conservation: After receiving a BASET Endeavour Heritage Award to study at West Dean College, Eleanor completed her Master's and stepped into heritage conservation at the highest level, taking up a role as Assistant Book Conservator at the Royal Bindery, Windsor Castle.

Benjamin Colt - Musical Instruments: Funded by BASET for conservation studies, Benjamin expressed profound gratitude: “To everyone at BASET, thank you for funding my studies last year. With your support I have funds left over to complete my degree free from financial stress, for which I am ever grateful.” His instrument was joint recipient of the Tom Jenkins Award.

Amy Walsh - Ceramics Conservation: BASET Endeavour Award winner who studied for her ceramics conservation Masters at West Dean College and has been practicing as a conservator since returning to Sydney in 2019. Her career progression included working at the Science Museum, as a conservator in Greece on a Mycenean archaeological site, and at the Museum of London as an archaeological archivist.

Grace McBeath - Thoroughbred Racing: Receiving the Thoroughbred Award, Grace said: “I am really thankful for this amazing opportunity and I look forward to expanding my knowledge internationally. This is a huge change for a girl from the Aussie bush!”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. BASET funds individuals, not organizations - This is a scholarship/award program for young people and students, not an institutional grant-maker. Organizations can partner with BASET to offer awards but cannot apply for funding themselves.

1. International exchange is the core requirement - Your application must demonstrate why travel between Britain and Australia is necessary for the educational opportunity. Generic study programs available in both countries will not qualify.

1. Partner institution pathway is essential - Most awards require application through partner educational institutions or industry bodies. Direct relationship with West Dean College, City & Guilds, British Racing School, Plumpton College, or designated secondary schools is necessary.

1. Financial need must be demonstrable - Be prepared to document that this award will make the difference between accessing or missing the opportunity. BASET explicitly requires proof that the award will enable the studies.

1. Conservation heritage awards offer the most specific detail - If working in conservation fields (architectural carving, gilding, book conservation, ceramics), this is a particularly well-established pathway with clear amounts (£5,000-£10,000) and partner institutions.

1. Timing varies by program - Northcote applications close late August, West Dean conservation awards have 1 April deadline, Pioneer awards typically close mid-November. Plan applications well in advance.

1. Career outcomes matter - BASET tracks and celebrates recipients' professional achievements post-award. Demonstrating clear career goals and how the award fits into professional development strengthens applications.

1. The UK-Australia relationship is central to mission - Understanding and articulating how your experience will “strengthen the links and enrich the relationship between our two countries” aligns with BASET's charitable purpose.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Mark Evison Foundation
• The Northcote Trust
• The Walter and Liesel Schwab Charitable Trust
• The Douglas Bomford Trust
• The Ewelme Exhibition Foundation
• Gilchrist Educational Trust
• Educational Opportunity Foundation
• The Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers Charitable Trust 1977
• The Sino-British Fellowship Trust
• Consolidated Charity of Burton upon Trent

References

1. Britain-Australia Society Education Trust website - BASET page: https://www.britain-australia.org.uk/baset (accessed 3 February 2026)

1. UK Charity Commission - THE BRITAIN-AUSTRALIA SOCIETY EDUCATION TRUST (803505): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/803505/full-print (accessed 3 February 2026)

1. Britain-Australia Society - Northcote Trust page: https://www.britain-australia.org.uk/northcote (accessed 3 February 2026)

1. Britain-Australia Society - BASET Endeavour Heritage Award Recipients: https://www.britain-australia.org.uk/baset/baset-endeavour-heritage-award-recipients (accessed 3 February 2026)

1. Britain-Australia Society - BASET Previous News: https://www.britain-australia.org.uk/baset-news (accessed 3 February 2026)

1. City & Guilds of London Art School - BASET Endeavour Award: https://www.cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk/BASET (accessed 3 February 2026)

1. Southwark Schools' Learning Partnership - BASET Pioneer Award: https://sslp.education/events/sslp-competitions/baset-pioneer-award/ (accessed 3 February 2026)

1. Racing Together - BASET Thoroughbred Endeavour Award announcement: https://www.racingtogether.co.uk/news/the-britain-australia-society-education-trust-baset-has-announced-a-new-ground-breaking-scheme-the-baset-thoroughbred-endeavour-award-this-award-has-been-created-in-partnership-with-godolphin-the/ (accessed 3 February 2026)

1. Thoroughbred Industry Careers Australia - Grace McBeath story: https://tbindustrycareers.com.au/grace-mcbeath-arrives-in-england/ (accessed 3 February 2026)

1. Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material - BASET Award announcement: https://aiccm.org.au/network-news/the-baset-endeavour-award-in-conjunction-with-west-dean-college-uk/ (accessed 3 February 2026)

1. Carl Bridge - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Bridge (accessed 3 February 2026)

1. John May LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmmay/ (accessed 3 February 2026)

1. West Dean College - Student Funding page: https://www.westdean.ac.uk/degrees-and-diplomas/funding (accessed 3 February 2026)

1. Multiple scholarship information websites including Postgraduate Search, Hot Courses Abroad, and We Make Scholars featuring BASET programs (accessed 3 February 2026)