Deadline: August 12, 2026
The QEST offers three grants for training, education and skills development to support professional makers and conservators at various career stages, strengthening the pipeline of talented craft professionals in the UK.
The grants are designed to encourage exceptional craftsmanship and support those working at the highest level in their chosen field. The Scholarship is for mid-career to established craftspeople who want to refine their craft, deepen their specialism or innovate. These grants support talented individuals to sustain vital skills through targeted training. Grants between £3,000 and £18,000 are available, along with a place on the Cockpit PDP. Applicants should have a high level of skill, a strong body of work and be aiming to elevate their craft further.
The Emerging Maker Grant is for early-stage craftspeople, typically practicing for around 1 to 5 years. These grants aim to support the next generation of craft professionals to develop core skills and techniques through essential training. Grants between £3,000 and £10,000 are available for applicants who show strong potential, a growing body of work and a commitment to progressing their craft.
An Emerging Maker is at the start of their career and demonstrates strong foundational skills. Their emerging specialism is reflected in a developing body of work and growing sector knowledge. They are committed to skill development and show clear potential for excellence. Their proposed training should build their skills, define their specialism and shape their future direction. Their training plan should be well-researched, with high-quality and well-paired activities that align with their career goals and are supported by a clear budget.
The Apprenticeship grants help enable a hands-on collaboration between a skilled master and a talented apprentice looking to start a career in craft. Focused on the transfer of expertise through practical workplace learning, the apprenticeship offers funding of up to £12,000. The grant is designed to supplement the apprentice’s wage over the course of the training.
In this joint application, the apprentice should demonstrate developing technical skills, a strong willingness to learn and a growing understanding of their craft. They actively seek skill development through training and self-learning. The employer brings high-level technical expertise, a deep understanding of the sector and a commitment to mentoring and long-term investment in their craft.
Applicants for their grants must be practicing professionally within the field of craft, aged 18 or above at the time of application, living in the UK with the right to reside either permanently or on a long-term basis, and intending to continue to practice in the UK and contribute to the UK craft industry. They welcome applications from all talented craftspeople regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or nationality, and particularly encourage those with protected characteristics that are under-represented in the craft sector to apply.
For more information, visit QEST.
