Cowrie Scholarship Foundation
Could Cowrie Scholarship Foundation be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- £30,000 – £35,000
- Applications
- Existing partners only
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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cowriescholarshipfoundation.org.ukAbout Cowrie Scholarship Foundation
The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation, established in 2020 by Professor Richard OC Oreffo, is a UK charity focused on dismantling financial barriers to higher education for economically disadvantaged Black British students of African and Caribbean heritage. Its mission is to fund undergraduates through partnerships with leading UK universities, promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion to ensure race and class do not limit academic opportunity. The Foundation provides full scholarships covering home tuition fees, maintenance stipends, and bespoke mentoring across all disciplines, fostering personal development and academic merit. Distinctively partnership-driven, the Foundation awards scholarships exclusively through university partners and does not accept unsolicited applications from individuals or organisations.
What Cowrie Scholarship Foundation funds
The Foundation supports UK home-status first-year undergraduates who identify as Black African, Black Caribbean, or Mixed Black heritage, with household incomes at a defined threshold, and who have secured full government student finance. Scholarships are available at partner institutions, prioritising students facing the greatest socioeconomic disadvantage to drive systemic change in access and representation. The funding covers home tuition fees, maintenance stipends, and bespoke mentoring across all disciplines.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants are UK home-status first-year undergraduates who identify as Black African, Black Caribbean, or Mixed Black heritage, with household incomes at a defined threshold, and who have secured full government student finance. Scholarships are awarded exclusively through university partners, and the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from individuals or organisations.
What Cowrie Scholarship Foundation doesn't fund
The Foundation does not fund projects, capital costs, or unrestricted grants. It focuses solely on comprehensive support for Black British undergraduates through its scholarship programme.
How they like to fund
The Foundation awards scholarships exclusively through university partners and does not accept unsolicited applications from individuals or organisations. It provides full scholarships covering home tuition fees, maintenance stipends, and bespoke mentoring.
How much does Cowrie Scholarship Foundation give?
Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Cowrie Scholarship Foundation
Cowrie Scholarship Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.
- A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
- If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Cowrie Scholarship Foundation.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Cowrie Scholarship Foundation could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Cowrie Scholarship Foundation provide?
Cowrie Scholarship Foundation typically provides grants of £30,000 - £35,000.
Where does Cowrie Scholarship Foundation fund charities?
Cowrie Scholarship Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Cowrie Scholarship Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Cowrie Scholarship Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Cowrie Scholarship Foundation?
Cowrie Scholarship Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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