Call for Applications: Thriplow Charitable Trust Grants (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 25-Sep-2026

The Thriplow Charitable Trust provides grants to charitable bodies supporting higher education, academic research, exhibitions, conservation, museums, libraries, and related educational projects. Grants generally range from £1,000 to £7,500, while the Trust also offers an annual studentship of up to £25,000 for an international student undertaking a one-year postgraduate Arts and Humanities course at a British institution, subject to institutional match funding. What Is the Thriplow Charitable Trust? Established in 1993, the Thriplow Charitable Trust supports charitable activities that contribute to higher education, research, cultural preservation, and educational development. The Trust has a particular preference for British institutions and charitable bodies and generally supports clearly defined, discrete projects rather than broad organisational appeals. The Trust provides relatively small but potentially valuable grants for charitable projects that may struggle to secure support from larger funders. Its funding can help organisations undertake specific research, conservation, educational, cultural, or higher-education activities without relying entirely on their own resources. The Trust is particularly relevant to British charitable institutions, universities, museums, libraries, research organisations, and other eligible charitable bodies seeking support for a defined project. What Projects Does the Trust Support? Eligible activities can include several areas of higher education, research, and cultural development. Academic Research Funding may support academic research projects undertaken by eligible charitable institutions. Projects should have a clear purpose and demonstrate how the requested funding will contribute to the proposed research. Higher Education The Trust supports higher education-related initiatives, including: Undergraduate bursaries. Graduate bursaries. Studentships. Other educational activities within its charitable objectives. Exhibitions and Cultural Projects Charitable bodies may seek support for exhibitions and related cultural projects. This can include activities that improve public engagement with collections, heritage, research, or cultural knowledge. Conservation and Environmental Research The Trust can support conservation-related activities and environmental research where these fit its funding priorities. Museums and Libraries Funding may be available for eligible museum and library collections and related projects. Teacher Training in Developing Countries The Trust also supports certain teacher training and educational resource initiatives in developing countries. Thriplow Charitable Trust Studentship One of the Trust’s distinctive funding opportunities is its annual studentship for an international student.

The studentship supports:

A one-year, full-time postgraduate course. A British institution. A subject within Arts and Humanities, including social sciences. An international student. The studentship can be worth up to £25,000. However, the award is conditional on match funding from the host institution. This means the educational institution must be prepared to provide the required matching contribution for the studentship. How Much Funding Is Available? The Trust’s standard grants are generally between:

Minimum typical grant: £1,000

Maximum typical grant: £7,500

In addition, the annual international studentship can provide up to £25,000. The studentship is separate from the Trust’s ordinary project grants and is specifically intended to support an eligible international postgraduate student. Who Is Eligible? Applications are accepted from charitable bodies or components of charitable bodies. The Trust particularly favours British institutions. Potential applicants may include eligible: Universities and higher education institutions. Research organisations. Museums. Libraries. Cultural organisations with charitable status. Other charitable bodies undertaking eligible projects. Importantly, grants are not awarded directly to individuals. Individuals seeking educational support should therefore generally apply through an eligible institution or charitable body where the relevant programme allows it. Who Is Not Eligible?

The Trust does not generally support:

Primary education. Secondary education. Early years education. Large-scale capital projects. Large charitable bodies with substantial financial resources. Performing arts companies are no longer eligible for general funding, although performing arts colleges may apply for the studentship where they meet the relevant requirements. What Does the Trust Prefer to Fund? The Trust generally prefers discrete projects with a defined purpose, rather than unrestricted or broad organisational funding. A strong application should therefore clearly explain: What the project will accomplish. Why the project is needed. How the funding will be used. Who will benefit. Why the project fits the Trust’s objectives. Why the applicant is well placed to deliver it. How to Apply Applicants should first establish that their organisation and proposed project fall within the Trust’s funding interests.

Step 1: Check Your Organisation’s Eligibility

Confirm that the applicant is:

A charitable body or eligible component of one. Applying through the appropriate institution rather than as an individual. Not excluded because of previous funding in the preceding year.

Step 2: Define a Specific Project

The Trust prefers discrete projects, so clearly define the activity for which funding is required. Avoid presenting a broad organisational funding request when the need can be expressed as a specific project.

Step 3: Check the Funding Category

Determine whether the proposal concerns:

Academic research. Higher education. Bursaries. Exhibitions. Conservation. Environmental research. Museum or library collections. Teacher training. Educational resources. The international postgraduate studentship.

Step 4: Prepar