Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust Limited

QEST funds a wide range of craft disciplines, from traditional heritage skills to contemporary making. Their support covers training, equipment, transport, events, and feasibility work that helps makers advance their careers. They prioritise sustaining vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts and contributing to excellence in the British craft industry. All funding is for individuals living and working in the UK, with no geographic restriction within the country.

Only individuals living and working in the UK are eligible to apply. QEST supports committed makers at different career stages: Emerging Maker Grants are for those with up to four years of professional practice, Scholarships are for established makers planning to stay in the UK and contribute to the craft sector, and Apprenticeships involve a collaborative effort between a master or organisation and an individual apprentice. There are no restrictions on income, religion, or type of craft. Organisations, community groups, and charities are not eligible.

QEST does not fund business startups, living expenses, or core organisational costs. They only support individual makers, so organisations, community groups, and charities are not eligible.

QEST offers both one-off grants and multi-year support depending on the programme. Scholarships are one-off, while Apprenticeships can last two to three years. They fund specific project costs such as training, equipment, transport, events, and feasibility work. They welcome unsolicited applications and do not require match funding for their Scholarship programme.