The Walter And Liesel Schwab Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £300,408 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Approximately 6-8 weeks (from application close to interview)
• Grant Range: £2,000 - £20,000 per year
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide
• Beneficiary Focus: Young refugees and asylum seekers (age 30 and under)

Contact Details

Website: www.swtrust.org.uk

Email: info@swtrust.org.uk

Phone: 07711386974

For application form technical issues: advice@reuk.org

Overview

The Walter and Liesel Schwab Charitable Trust, established in 2001 (registered charity 1091870), was founded in memory of Walter and Liesel Schwab, both of whom were connected to the refugee experience from Nazi Germany. The trust operates in conjunction with the Westheimer Trust, inspired by Ilse Westheimer's own refugee journey. With annual expenditure of approximately £300,000, the trust is dedicated to advancing the education of young asylum seekers and refugees in the UK, with particular emphasis on higher and further education. The trust provides both small educational grants up to £2,000 and substantial scholarships ranging from £10,000-£20,000 per year for undergraduate degrees. Since initiating its flagship Westheimer Scholarships in 2015, the trust has reached steady state, awarding approximately three major scholarships per year. The trust works in close partnership with Article 26 (Helena Kennedy Foundation) and Refugee Education UK (formerly Refugee Support Network).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Educational Grants

• Amount: Up to £2,000
• Purpose: One-off grants to help with study resources
• Covers: Transport costs, computers, books, course equipment and materials, and fees where necessary
• Application Method: Online application form via website
• Note: Grants are dependent on the young person's immigration status and carry no commitment to future funding

Westheimer Scholarship

• Amount: £10,000 - £20,000 per year (covering home tuition fees)
• Awards: Approximately three per year
• Purpose: Undergraduate degrees in social work, medicine, nursing, or related health/social care professions
• Application Period: Opens in spring, typically closes in early June
• Decision Timeline: Interviews held June/July, outcomes by end of August

Additional Named Scholarships (managed by the trust):

• Marks Family Charitable Trust Scholarship: Healthcare-related degrees (£10,000-£20,000/year)
• Ralph N Emanuel Scholarship: Undergraduate degrees with clear humanitarian purpose
• Claus and Mary Moser Scholarship: Engineering or accounting degrees
• Adi and Isca Wittenberg Scholarship: Mental health-related degrees (mental health nursing, psychology, social work)
• Jane Goodman Charitable Trust Scholarship: Dentistry degree (covers home tuition fees and study costs)
• Brittan Scholarship: Masters or undergraduate students with no more than two years remaining

Priority Areas

The trust exclusively funds:

• Young asylum seekers and refugees (age 30 and under) pursuing education
• Students awaiting asylum decisions or appealing decisions
• Individuals granted Limited Leave to Remain or temporary status (including Calais Leave, Discretionary Leave to Remain, Section 67 leave, UASC leave)
• Students with no recourse to public funds
• Professional qualifications in healthcare, social care, engineering, accounting, and humanitarian fields
• Study resources, materials, equipment, and tuition fees

What They Don't Fund

• Applicants over 30 years old
• Students with established immigration status providing access to student finance
• Postgraduate study (except Masters-level Brittan Scholarship)
• Non-educational expenses
• Retrospective costs
• Organizations (only individuals)

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE (appointed 2001)

Rabbi Baroness Neuberger is a founding trustee who established the trust in memory of her parents. She has been a vocal advocate for asylum seekers' rights, noting that asylum seekers “want to work and make a contribution” rather than rely on charity.

Other Trustees:

• Baroness Sally Hamwee (Liberal Democrat peer)
• Anthony Neuberger
• Sheila Spalding
• Dr. Katie Petty-Saphon MBE, PhD (appointed 2016) - Chief Executive of the Medical Schools Council
• Dr. Rebecca Murray - Lecturer in Sociological Studies at University of Sheffield, member of the institution's Sanctuary steering group

Trustee Selection: Trustees are chosen from those who knew Walter and Liesel Schwab and Ilse Westheimer, plus experts in the refugee and asylum seeker field.

Decision-Making: Trustees meet three to four times per year to decide on policy and award individual grants. The trust has eight trustees, none of whom receive remuneration, and operates with no employees earning over £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Small Grants (up to £2,000):

• Complete online application form available on website
• Provide proof of course placement
• Submit personal reference
• Applications appear to be assessed on a rolling basis throughout the year

Major Scholarships:

• Read Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Guidance Notes before beginning application
• Complete online application form (Google Forms-based)
• Require university enrollment confirmation
• Need personal reference
• Word version available for preparing answers offline
• No advantage for early submission - take time to complete carefully

Application Windows:

• Applications typically open in spring (early May)
• Close in early June (typically June 9th at 5pm)
• Applications for 2026 intake will open spring 2026

Eligibility Requirements:

• Age 30 or under
• Be an asylum seeker (or dependent) awaiting decision or appealing asylum decision, OR
• Person (or dependent) who claimed asylum and has been granted Limited Leave to Remain or temporary status

Decision Timeline

For Major Scholarships:

1. Application period: May - early June (approximately 4-5 weeks)
2. Shortlisting: Mid-June
3. Interviews: June/July
4. Outcomes communicated: End of August
5. Support begins: Academic year start (typically September/October)

Total timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from application to final decision

For Small Grants: Decision timeline not publicly specified; contact trust directly for current processing times

Notification: Successful candidates contacted by email and supported in requesting home fees from their chosen university

Success Rates

The trust does not publish specific success rates or application numbers. However:

• Westheimer Scholarships: Approximately 3 awarded per year (reached “steady state” since 2015)
• Other named scholarships: Typically 1 per year per scholarship program
• Small grants: Number of awards not specified

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated in public materials. Applicants should contact the trust directly regarding reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Immigration Status Documentation: The trust emphasizes that "grants are dependent on the young person's immigration status." Ensure you clearly document your asylum seeker status, Limited Leave to Remain, or other qualifying temporary status.

Demonstrate Educational Commitment Despite Challenges: The trust's testimonials highlight students who persevered through significant obstacles. Anna shared: "S & W came to my rescue when they supported me financially to go towards all my expenses“ after quitting work due to stress from balancing studies, employment, and family. Blessing noted: ”S&W relieved a lot of pressure on me and enabled me to continue with my studies" after facing course expulsion due to financial difficulties.

Alignment with Healthcare and Humanitarian Fields: The trust prioritizes degrees in social work, medicine, nursing, health-related professions, and fields with “clear humanitarian purpose.” These align with the trust's mission to support those who will serve communities.

Partnership Organization Support: The trust has “close working partnerships” with Article 26 (Helena Kennedy Foundation) and Refugee Education UK. Engagement with these partner organizations may strengthen applications.

Complete and Careful Applications: The trust explicitly states “there is no advantage for students who submit their applications first, so please take your time and fill in applications carefully.” Quality over speed is valued.

Personal References Matter: All applications require personal references. Choose referees who can speak to your educational commitment, personal circumstances, and potential for success.

Clear Financial Need: Successful applicants demonstrate genuine financial barriers to education. The trust steps in when students have “no recourse to public funds” and face obstacles like inability to pay tuition fees or afford study materials.

Future Contribution to Community: Anna's testimonial emphasized her goal to “give back to the Community what has been given to me.” Demonstrating intention to contribute after graduation aligns with the trust's aims.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Niche Focus: This trust exclusively supports young asylum seekers and refugees under 30 - if your clients don't fit this specific demographic, look elsewhere
• Immigration Status is Critical: Document asylum seeker status, Limited Leave to Remain, or qualifying temporary status clearly - grants are explicitly dependent on this
• Healthcare/Social Care Priority: While other humanitarian fields are considered, the trust shows strong preference for medicine, nursing, social work, and related health professions
• Plan Timeline Carefully: Major scholarship applications open in spring for autumn start - plan 6+ months ahead
• Small Grants for Immediate Needs: The £2,000 small grants can provide quick support for materials, equipment, and resources without multi-year commitment
• No Public Funds Required: The trust specifically targets students with no recourse to public funds - this is their core constituency
• Partnership Pathways: Connect with Article 26 (Helena Kennedy Foundation) and Refugee Education UK for guidance and potential support in the application process

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Sir Halley Stewart Trust
• THE HILDEN CHARITABLE FUND
• The Albert Dawson Educational Trust
• The John Armitage Charitable Trust
• Thornton-Smith and Plevins Trust
• Chapman Charitable Trust
• Thriplow Charitable Trust
• THE MAURICE AND HILDA LAING CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Ashworth Charitable Trust
• Snowdon Trust

References

1. The Walter and Liesel Schwab Charitable Trust official website - www.swtrust.org.uk
2. "About Schwab & Westheimer" - www.swtrust.org.uk/about.html
3. “Educational Grants and Scholarships” - www.swtrust.org.uk
4. UK Charity Commission Register - charity number 1091870, register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk - Financial year end August 31, 2024: Income £228,359, Expenditure £300,408
5. “Westheimer Scholarship” information page - www.swtrust.org.uk/westheimer-scholarship.html
6. “Apply For A Grant” - www.swtrust.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant.html
7. Student testimonial - "Anna's Story“ - www.swtrust.org.uk/story-anna.html - Quote: ”S & W came to my rescue when they supported me financially to go towards all my expenses"
8. Student testimonial - "Blessing's Story“ - www.swtrust.org.uk/story-blessing.html - Quote: ”S&W relieved a lot of pressure on me and enabled me to continue with my studies"
9. Baroness Neuberger parliamentary remarks on asylum seekers from Hansard UK Parliament records
10. Universities of Sanctuary - “Westheimer scholarship - a unique opportunity for young asylum seekers to get to university” - confirms three scholarships per year at £10,000-£20,000