Lord Mayor's 800th Anniversary Awards Trust

The Trust supports a wide range of activities, including overseas volunteering, conservation work, expeditions, summer schools, medical electives, arts projects and skills courses. These are projects designed to broaden experience, build self-confidence and improve career chances, with an emphasis on personal challenge and experiential learning. Awards are intended as contributions towards the costs of such projects, so applicants are expected to fundraise the balance. Geographically, awards are UK-wide, but priority is given to applicants with a close connection to the City of London. The Trust favours activities that offer a genuine personal challenge, whether through overseas work, outdoor adventure, creative production or vocational skill-building.

The Trust makes grants to individuals only – young people aged between 17 and 24. It does not fund registered charities, companies, schools, faith groups, community groups, social enterprises or other organisations. Priority is given to applicants with a close connection to the City of London, although awards are also made to other UK-based applicants. Applicants should be planning a project that will broaden their experience, develop self-confidence and improve their career chances, and they must be ready to raise the balance of funds themselves.

The Trust does not fund routine academic study, passive travel or organisational costs. Its focus is on active, self-directed projects, so activities that are purely recreational or lack a developmental element are unlikely to be supported. As it only makes grants to individuals, applications from organisations – including charities, schools, faith groups and community groups – are not considered.

Awards are intended as contributions towards project costs rather than full funding. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a fundraising programme to raise the balance required to complete the project. The Trust supports individuals undertaking self-designed projects, reflecting its emphasis on initiative and self-reliance.