The Conway Merchant Navy Trust

Charity Number: 526577

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £163,649 (2024)
Annual Income: £112,563 (2024)
Success Rate: Not disclosed
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: Full sponsorship for 3-year degree programmes (individual grant amounts not disclosed)
Geographic Focus: UK only (UK nationals and residents)
Number of Current Cadets: Currently sponsoring 10 cadets through university

Contact Details

Website: www.conwaymntrust.info

Email: careers.conwaymntrust@gmail.com

Phone: 020 8293 5999

Marine Training Manager

Chiltern Maritime Ltd

Forum 3, Solent Business Park

Fareham, Hampshire

Overview

The Conway Merchant Navy Trust (Charity No. 526577) is the successor to the HMS Conway Merchant Navy Cadet School, which was founded on the Mersey in 1859 and closed in 1974 due to changes in secondary and further education systems. Established under its current structure in 1963 (with amendments in 1979 and 2008), the Trust continues the Conway legacy by providing full educational sponsorships to aspiring Merchant Navy officers. With annual expenditure of £163,649 (2024), the Trust offers sponsorship to a limited number of young men and women each year to pursue 3-year degree programmes in either Nautical Science (BSc) or Marine Engineering (BEng/BSc). The Trust currently supports 10 cadets through university to Officer of the Watch (OOW) qualification. In addition to its primary cadet sponsorship programme, the Trust also provides financial assistance to other appropriate maritime charities, fulfilling its broader mission to support maritime education and career development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Cadet Sponsorship Programme

Full sponsorship for 3-year degree programmes
BSc in Nautical Science (Deck Officer route)
BEng or BSc in Marine Engineering (Engineer Officer route)
Includes 12 months of sea time during training
Universities include Liverpool John Moores University and Fleetwood Nautical College
Currently supporting 10 cadets
Application method: Email enquiry to careers.conwaymntrust@gmail.com

2. Maritime Charity Grants

Provides financial assistance to other appropriate maritime charities
Amounts and application process not publicly disclosed

Priority Areas

Educational grants for young people pursuing careers at sea
Merchant Navy officer training (Deck and Engineer officers)
Maritime education and professional training for cadets
Support for UK nationals and residents only
Commemoration of the HMS Conway Merchant Navy Cadet School legacy

What They Don't Fund

Non-maritime education or training
Non-UK nationals or non-UK residents
Individuals not meeting minimum academic requirements (112 UCAS points minimum)
Individuals unable to pass ENG 1 medical certification for merchant ships/yachts
General living expenses or costs outside the degree programme and sea training

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by 11 trustees who receive no remuneration. The board consists of both “Old Conways” (former cadets of HMS Conway) and individuals drawn from all parts of the shipping industry, with most having served at sea in either the Merchant or Royal Navies. This governance structure ensures that the Trust maintains its connection to maritime tradition while benefiting from current industry expertise.

The Trust operates under a Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 25th April 1963, as amended by special resolutions dated 6th December 1979 and 12th December 2008.

One trustee quoted mentioned that the Trust “is currently sponsoring 10 Cadets through University to OOW,” demonstrating their active engagement with the sponsorship programme.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Cadet Sponsorship:

Send an email to careers.conwaymntrust@gmail.com with the subject line “Sponsorship Enquiry”
Applications accepted from UK nationals and UK residents only
Minimum 112 UCAS points required (some sources indicate 280 UCAS points with strong Maths and Science results)
Must pass ENG 1 medical certification for serving on a merchant ship or yacht
Rolling application basis

For Maritime Charity Grants:

The Trust states it provides “financial assistance to other appropriate Maritime Charities,” but there is no public application process disclosed for this funding stream. These grants appear to be awarded at the discretion of the trustees.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Prospective cadets should contact the Trust directly for information about when decisions are made and when sponsored positions begin.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Trust describes its sponsorship programme as being for “a limited number” of young people each year, with 10 cadets currently sponsored.

Reapplication Policy

No information is publicly available about reapplication policies for unsuccessful cadet sponsorship applicants.

Application Success Factors

The Conway Merchant Navy Trust has very specific eligibility requirements that determine success:

Academic Requirements: Meeting the minimum UCAS points threshold (112-280 points depending on the source) with strong performance in Maths and Science is essential. The Trust seeks candidates with demonstrated academic capability for degree-level maritime studies.

Medical Fitness: Passing the ENG 1 medical certification is mandatory, as this is required for serving on merchant ships or yachts. Applicants should obtain this certification or be confident they can pass it before applying.

UK Status: Only UK nationals and UK residents are eligible. This is a strict requirement.

Career Commitment: The Trust seeks candidates genuinely committed to becoming Deck or Engineer Officers in the Merchant Navy. The 3-year programme includes 12 months at sea, requiring dedication to maritime life.

Partnership Network: The Trust works in partnership with Trinity House for recruitment and uses Chiltern Maritime as its training administrator. Sea time is arranged through the Trust's training managers, with past partnerships including Ship Safe Training Group. Understanding this network may help applicants appreciate the professional pathway they're entering.

Conway Legacy: The Trust is the successor to HMS Conway Merchant Navy Cadet School and maintains that heritage. Successful candidates become “Conway Cadets,” continuing a tradition dating back to 1859. Demonstrating awareness of and respect for this legacy may resonate with trustees, many of whom are “Old Conways” themselves.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Highly Specialized Focus: This is not a general education funder - the Trust exclusively supports Merchant Navy officer training for UK nationals/residents, plus grants to maritime charities.

Full Sponsorship Model: The Trust provides comprehensive support for the entire 3-year degree programme including sea time, rather than partial grants - this is an all-or-nothing proposition.

Limited Places: With only 10 current cadets sponsored at any given time, competition is significant. Meeting minimum requirements doesn't guarantee acceptance.

Academic and Medical Prerequisites: Both strong academic credentials (especially in Maths and Science) and ability to pass ENG 1 medical certification are non-negotiable requirements.

Email-Based Initial Contact: The application process begins informally with an email enquiry, suggesting that personal communication and demonstrated interest are valued.

Industry-Connected Governance: With trustees drawn from the shipping industry and including “Old Conways,” the Trust values maritime heritage and professional networks - applicants who can demonstrate relevant connections or understanding of the sector may have an advantage.

No Public Process for Maritime Charity Grants: While the Trust states it funds other maritime charities, there is no public application process for this funding stream.