Grants for the outdoors, arts, science and more!

The Ernest Cook Trust is a large educational charity in the UK that actively encourages children and young people to learn through the outdoors. Each year the Trust gives around £1.8 million to support hundreds of educational projects.

What is available?

One part of the Trust’s work is to award grants to projects designed to encourage young people’s interest either in the countryside and the environment, the arts or science. Projects that focus on rural skills and crafts are particularly welcomed. The Trust also supports projects that aim to raise levels of literacy and numeracy.

There is a large grants programme for awards of over £4,000 and a small grants programme for awards of under £4,000.

Who can apply?

Grants are awarded to registered charities, state schools and not-for-profit organisations in the UK.

How do I apply?

There is no application form. You are asked to submit a covering letter with supporting information attached. Full details of this can be found on the Ernest Cook Trust website.

All applications are expected to link in with either the National Curriculum or with recognised qualifications.

If you are applying for a small grant, you can submit your application any time.

If you are applying for a large grant, applications for the Spring meeting (which usually takes place in mid-April) must be received by the Trust by January 31st of that year. Applications for the Autumn meeting (which takes place in September) must be received by the Trust by July 31st of that year.

Please check the Ernest Cook Trust website for the latest dates for application submission.

Good luck!