The David Garrick Scholarship

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £32,029 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 3 months (June auditions for September start)
• Grant Range: £5,000 per scholarship
• Geographic Focus: England, Wales, and Scotland

Contact Details

Website: https://www.garrickclub.co.uk/david_garrick_scholarship/

Email: dgarrickscholarship@garrickclub.co.uk

Phone: 020 7379 6478

Address: Garrick Club, 15 Garrick Street, London WC2E 9AY

Overview

The David Garrick Scholarship is a registered charity (charity number 1192820) established in December 2020 and launched its scholarship program in 2022. Set up and funded by members of the prestigious Garrick Club in London, the charity's sole purpose is to provide scholarships to students in the last year of their 2-3 year professional drama (acting) courses. Named after the famous 18th-century actor David Garrick, for whom the Garrick Club itself was named, the scholarship reflects the Club's long-standing commitment to supporting the performing arts. With total income of £329,692 in 2024 and expenditure of £32,029, the charity operates on a model where donations from Garrick Club members fund scholarships for talented emerging actors. The charity is governed by six trustees, including notable figures from the arts and business worlds, and maintains a clear focus on supporting the next generation of professional actors at a critical stage in their training.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• David Garrick Acting Scholarship: £5,000 per student - Awarded to final-year students on professional drama (acting) courses. Paid directly to drama schools for tuition fees only. Number of scholarships depends on funds raised. Application through drama school nomination only.

Priority Areas

• Final-year students at drama schools in England, Wales, and Scotland
• Students demonstrating considerable or potential acting talent
• Professional drama (acting) courses at approved institutions
• Advancement of education and performing arts for public benefit
• Supporting emerging professional actors at critical career development stage

What They Don't Fund

• Non-acting courses (dance, music, general drama studies)
• Students not in their final year
• Institutions not on approved list
• Direct applications from individuals
• Amateur productions or training
• Projects outside the UK

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Governance and Leadership

Mark Pigott KBE, OBE - Chair/President: Prominent philanthropist and former CEO of PACCAR Inc., has established numerous scholarship programs including the Pigott/BAFTA Scholarship funded by a $1 million endowment.

David Suchet CBE - Trustee: Renowned British actor best known for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot, bringing significant professional acting expertise to the scholarship's governance.

Additional Trustees: His Hon. Judge David MacLaren Webster, Stephen Geoffrey Wansell, Gareth Johnson, Lee Menzies

The charity operates with two volunteers and maintains policies including safeguarding, risk management, and financial controls. No trustees receive remuneration.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Individual students cannot apply directly. The process works through drama schools:

1. Drama schools receive invitations to nominate students
2. Schools nominate students demonstrating considerable acting talent
3. Nominated students participate in June auditions
4. Successful applicants notified for September term
5. Awards paid directly to drama schools for tuition

For students: Contact your drama school about their participation and internal nomination process.

For drama schools: Contact dgarrickscholarship@garrickclub.co.uk to explore participation.

Decision Timeline

• Invitations to drama schools: Timing not publicly specified
• Auditions: June
• Notifications: Summer (for September term)
• Annual recipient event at Garrick Club

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. Number of scholarships varies based on funds raised. With 2024 expenditure of £32,029, approximately 6 scholarships were awarded.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - as a final-year scholarship for students completing professional training, each annual cohort represents new students.

Application Success Factors

For Students Seeking Nomination:

• Demonstrate exceptional acting talent throughout your course - the charity explicitly seeks “considerable or potential acting talent”
• Build strong relationships with faculty who will advocate for your nomination
• Show consistent excellence and growth throughout your training
• Demonstrate clear professional commitment to acting as a career
• Articulate how the £5,000 tuition support would enable completion of your training

For Drama Schools:

• Establish relationship with the charity if not currently participating
• Identify genuinely exceptional talent who would benefit from financial support
• Submit nominations in time for June auditions
• Understand the scholarship focuses exclusively on professional acting courses

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Scholarship operates exclusively through drama school nominations - no direct student applications
• Fixed amount of £5,000 per student, paid directly to institutions for tuition only
• Final-year timing is non-negotiable - specifically for students completing 2-3 year professional acting courses
• Recipients gain valuable networking through annual event at the prestigious Garrick Club
• Well-funded charity with £329,692 income in 2024 and low overhead (volunteer-run)
• Growing program - more donations enable more scholarships
• Strong governance including renowned actor David Suchet CBE and philanthropist Mark Pigott KBE

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Sir John Gielgud Charitable Trust
• The Garrick Charitable Trust
• The South Square Trust
• EQUITY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Roger and Ingrid Pilkington Charitable Trust
• Grand Order of Water Rats Charities Fund
• The Fenton Arts Trust
• Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund
• The Peggy Ramsay Foundation
• The Noël Coward Foundation

References

1. UK Charity Commission - The David Garrick Scholarship (Charity Number 1192820)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/1192820

Accessed: January 26, 2026

1. The Garrick Club - David Garrick Scholarship

https://www.garrickclub.co.uk/david_garrick_scholarship/

Accessed: January 26, 2026

1. Companies House - The David Garrick Scholarship (CE024390)

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/CE024390

Accessed: January 26, 2026

1. The Pigott/BAFTA Scholarship (trustee philanthropic context)

https://www.bafta.org/supporting-talent/scholarships/the-pigott-bafta-scholarship

Accessed: January 26, 2026