The Maritime Educational Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Its clearest fit is seafarer training: unemployed seafarers updating skills at approved MCA centres, and shipping companies offering rating apprenticeship places on approved programmes.
- Amounts are set per person or per trainee, at up to £2,000 for an unemployed seafarer, £6,000 for a ratings bursary and £15,000 for an Able Seafarer (Deck) or (Engine Room) apprenticeship, so a request should match what the programme provides.
- Ratings bursary applications must be made within six weeks of the start or completion date, using the application form, and the funder's current listing says funding for activities and projects is unavailable until further notice, so an organisation seeking project money should check that first.
- Individuals who have already had funding from the Foundation cannot apply for seafarer support again, and employers without places on approved apprenticeship programmes are not eligible for bursaries.
Overview
The Maritime Educational Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1100125).
The Maritime Educational Foundation is a charity registered in England and Wales that exists to advance education and training in maritime skills and to promote the mercantile marine through the education and training of seafarers. It supports rating and officer training, including rating apprenticeship places, officer training places and rating to officer conversion. Its programmes include funding for unemployed seafarers and organisational projects, alongside ratings bursaries and cadet sponsorship. It gave £707,019 in annual giving, according to the Charity Commission register.
What they fund
Priority Areas
The Maritime Educational Foundation supports seafarer career development and organisational projects in the maritime sector. Its stated aims include education and training in maritime skills, and education and training concerning maritime industries and related industries. It provides individual support for eligible unemployed seafarers to update skills or renew certification, and bursaries for shipping companies that provide places for rating trainees on approved apprenticeship programmes. It also sponsors officer trainees recruited and managed by contracted training providers. The Foundation's report describes grants to other organisations for projects consistent with its objectives, alongside sponsorship for cadets across deck, engineering and electro-technical disciplines and targeted training for unemployed seafarers.
Themes
- Unemployed seafarer training
- Rating apprenticeships
- Officer cadet sponsorship
What they don't fund
- Financial support for unemployed seafarers only: individuals who have been in receipt of funding previously
- Activities and projects only: This funding opportunity is unavailable until further notice
How to apply
Project grant applications are reviewed by the trustees as an agenda item at board meetings. Employers apply for a ratings bursary by downloading and completing the application form.
Deadlines: Ratings bursary applications must be made within six weeks of the start or completion date.
Who can apply:
- Financial support for unemployed seafarers: Eligible unemployed seafarers (Officer/Rating Deck, Engine & ETO) undertaking updating training at approved MCA centres.
- Ratings bursaries: Eligible shipping companies (employers) who provide places for rating trainees on approved apprenticeship programmes.
What to send:
- Ratings bursaries: The completed application form, signed training agreement(s) for new starters, and evidence of completion for end of training applications (e.g. a certificate from the training provider and CoC, if applicable).
Applying again: Financial support for unemployed seafarers: The MEF are unable to accept any further applications for individuals who have been in receipt of funding previously.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- The trustees consider proposed organisational projects that are consistent with the Foundation's objectives and principal aims.
Where they fund
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to The Maritime Educational Foundation.
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 December 2021 | £2,468,257 | £1,004,893 | — | Accounts for year to 31 December 2021 |
| year to 31 December 2022 | £3,837,287 | £815,514 | £456,341 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2022 |
| year to 31 December 2023 | £5,978,781 | £1,095,687 | £400,000 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2023 |
| year to 31 December 2024 | £5,856,209 | £2,029,944 | £400,000 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2024 |
| year to 31 December 2025 | £6,914,811 | £1,765,375 | £707,019 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2025 |
Income vs grants paid
IncomeGrants paid
Total value each financial year
Grants paid stayed within income across the 4 years shown.
- Grants paid, year to 31 December 2022; year to 31 December 2023; year to 31 December 2024; year to 31 December 2025: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).
— No grants figure for that year.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- meftraining.org · read on 30 October 2026
- meftraining.org/funding-opportunities · read on 30 October 2026
- meftraining.org/cadet-training · read on 30 October 2026
- meftraining.org/contact-us · read on 30 October 2026
- Annual report (year to 31 December 2025)
This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.
Sources last checked on 30 October 2026.
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At a glance
Applying to The Maritime Educational Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Applying to The Maritime Educational Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required