The Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £158,650 (173 grants awarded in recent round)
• Success Rate: 44% (approximately)
• Decision Time: 3-4 months (decisions by end of June for applications submitted January-March)
• Grant Range: £550 - £1,500 per academic year
• Geographic Focus: UK national (students studying at UK institutions)

Contact Details

• Website: www.stapleytrust.org
• Email: admin@stapleytrust.org
• Application Portal: stapleytrust.grantapps.net

Overview

Founded in 1919 by businessman and philanthropist Sir Richard Stapley (1843-1920), who was driven by a lifelong passion for education and a personal regret at not having attended university, The Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust supports academically talented students with limited financial means. The Trust marked its centenary in 2019 with a special event featuring performances by recent grant recipients. With an annual income of approximately £223,281 (2024), the Trust awards grants totaling around £158,650 to approximately 173 students annually. The Trust's mission is to afford opportunities of education at universities and colleges to students of both sexes, whether by gifts or loans, specifically targeting mature postgraduate students of proven academic merit who face financial hardship while pursuing further degrees at UK institutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Annual Postgraduate Grants: £550 - £1,500 per academic year

• Small supplementary grants to help cover shortfalls in tuition fees or living expenses
• Full-time postgraduate students may receive up to 3 grants (one per year)
• Part-time postgraduate students may receive up to 6 grants (one per year)
• New application required each year for continuing students
• Applications accepted online only via the Trust's application portal

Priority Areas

The Trust funds students pursuing:

• Master's degrees in any subject
• Doctoral degrees in any subject
• Postgraduate certificates or diplomas (courses lasting 8+ months)
• Second degrees in medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine

Key Focus:

• Students over age 24 on October 1st of the proposed year of study
• Students with first-class or upper second-class honours (2:1) degrees
• Students demonstrating genuine financial need
• UK-resident students of any nationality studying at UK institutions

What They Don't Fund

The Trust explicitly does NOT fund:

• Electives
• Student placements
• Diploma courses (unless part of an 8+ month professional training course leading to PG Certificate/Diploma)
• PGCE courses
• Professional training courses under 8 months
• Students living outside the UK accessing UK courses remotely
• Students previously funded by the Trust for a different postgraduate degree
• PhD students in their final (third) year of study
• Students already holding a major award
• Applicants under age 24 on October 1st of the proposed study year

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by a Board of 10 Trustees who receive no remuneration or payments from the charity. The Trust has no employees with total benefits over £60,000 and operates with a lean administrative structure led by a Clerk responsible for day-to-day implementation.

The Trust actively recruits trustees who are committed to the mission of improving access to postgraduate education and possess strategic vision and experience. Desired trustee expertise includes charity trusteeship, charity law, performing arts, administration of or teaching on postgraduate courses, social media, grants management software, and charity marketing.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online only through the Trust's application portal at stapleytrust.grantapps.net. The application process follows these key steps:

1. Review Eligibility: Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria before applying
2. Prepare Documentation: Gather academic transcripts, referee contact details, and financial information
3. Use Mock-up Form: A mock-up application form is available on the website to help prepare
4. Submit Online: Complete and submit application electronically via the portal or download and email to admin@stapleytrust.org
5. Apply Early: The Trust closes applications after receiving 300 eligible applications

Application Window: Opens annually in early January (January 5, 2026 for the 2026/27 academic year)

Deadline: End of March OR first 300 complete eligible applications received, whichever comes first

Critical Note: In the most recent grant round, the Trust reached its 300-application maximum after only 2 days, making early submission essential.

Decision Timeline

• Application Period: Early January - End of March (or until 300 applications received)
• Decision Notification: Before end of June
• Total Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from application opening to decision

Success Rates

Based on The Grants Register 2021 data: 133 awards from 300 applications = approximately 44% success rate

Recent round: 173 grants awarded from approximately 300 applications

The competitive nature of awards is based on academic merit and financial need. With only 300 applications considered and roughly half successful, strong academic credentials and clearly demonstrated financial need are essential.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust does not publish specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants. However:

• Continuing students who previously received grants must submit a new application each year
• Full-time students may receive up to 3 annual grants; part-time students up to 6 annual grants
• Students previously funded for a different postgraduate degree cannot apply again

For specific guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful application, contact admin@stapleytrust.org.

Application Success Factors

Academic Excellence is Non-Negotiable

The Trust requires a first-class or upper second-class honours degree (2:1). For international qualifications, applicants must provide a letter from their UK university confirming equivalency to UK 1st or 2:1 standards, or a UK Master's or Doctoral degree.

Demonstrate Genuine Financial Need

Grants are specifically designed to cover shortfalls after tuition fees and other funding sources. Applications must clearly demonstrate financial hardship and explain the gap between available funds and actual costs.

Complete Applications Only

Incomplete applications may be rejected. Use the mock-up form available on the website to ensure all required information is gathered before submission.

Act Quickly

With applications closing after just 300 eligible submissions (reached in 2 days in the most recent round), applicants must be ready to submit when the portal opens in early January. Prepare all documentation in advance.

Meet Age Requirements

Applicants must be over 24 on October 1st of the proposed study year. This is a strict eligibility criterion.

UK Residency Essential

Applicants must be resident in the UK at the time of application and remain resident throughout their studies. Remote learning from outside the UK is not supported.

Understand the Trust's Philosophy

The Trust was founded to help students who, like Sir Richard Stapley himself, have the academic ability but face financial barriers to higher education. Applications that reflect this mission—demonstrating both proven merit and genuine need—align with the Trust's century-long commitment.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Time is critical: Be ready to apply on January 5th when applications open; the 300-application cap can be reached in just 2 days
• Academic credentials must be strong: Only first-class or 2:1 degree holders need apply; have equivalency letters ready for international qualifications
• Financial need must be clearly demonstrated: Show the specific gap between costs and available funding; these are supplementary grants, not full funding
• Age and residency are strict requirements: Must be 24+ on October 1st and UK-resident throughout studies
• Success rate is reasonable but competitive: 44% approval rate means strong applications have good chances, but competition is real
• Continuing students can reapply annually: If successful, you can receive support for up to 3 years (full-time) or 6 years (part-time)
• Complete applications only: Use the mock-up form to prepare thoroughly; incomplete applications won't be considered toward the 300 limit

References

• The Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust official website: www.stapleytrust.org
• UK Charity Commission Register: Charity Number 313812, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/313812
• The Grants Register 2021, SpringerLink
• University of Birmingham Funding Database: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/scholarships-funding/the-sir-richard-stapley-educational-trust
• Cranfield University Funding Opportunities: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/funding/funding-opportunities/the-stapley-trust
• Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust LinkedIn page
• Trust application portal: stapleytrust.grantapps.net