The Trust welcomes individual applications especially from Scots men and women (Scots by birth or Scots by upbringing) who have already shown ability and promise and wish to take their studies or training a stage further in order to launch themselves on a career. We are looking for exceptional people, who will in one way or another bring credit to Scotland as their careers develop.

These are broad criteria, and before you go to the trouble of working up an application to us we recommend that you take a look at the examples of recent awards and award-holders, which should give you some idea of where our priorities lie. Our resources are limited, and when bids for help exceed the funds available – as they regularly do – we have to prioritise. So if you apply to us you should expect competition.

The Trust’s Priorities

In looking for ‘ability and promise’ we generally look for a good first degree (first class honours, or close to it) or an equivalent qualification as evidence. We will only rarely assist a student for an undergraduate course, or any course, or part of a course, below degree level. We give priority to postgraduate students working for a higher degree or similar qualification, especially if the course proposed does not qualify (or the individual is not eligible) for assistance from public funds (i.e. a Research Council or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland). This might be the case, for example, if the course is at an overseas institution.

The Trust does not normally make grants for –

• courses leading to qualifications required for entry into a profession (e.g. teaching, legal practice)
• purchase of musical instruments
• undergraduate courses or courses below degree level

We require all applicants to give us some information on their financial circumstances (see the section below, on How to Apply) and will take account of stated financial needs, but this will always be in the context of the applicant’s actual achievement and promise. Regrettably we cannot accept applications based purely on acute financial need.

We will take account of any special disability which an applicant demonstrates, though again always in the whole context of his or her proven ability and promise.

If you wish to apply for a grant, you should send us the following information –

1. Your CV. This can be in your own format, but it should in any case include all of the following items:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Address for correspondence
• Telephone number
• Email address
• Summary of your secondary education: School(s) attended, with dates; and Certificates obtained, with grades
• Summary of your higher education: Universities or colleges attended, with dates; Degrees or diplomas awarded, with class of degree
• If you finished your education more than a year ago, details of employment or other relevant activities since graduating.

2. Details of the course for which you are seeking assistance. These should include

• the title, and a brief description of the course.
• the university or institution at which it will be taken
• the start date for the course, and its duration

3. A statement of your aims: what is your purpose in taking this course, and what are your career aims thereafter?

4. The amount of the grant which you seek: You should bid for a specific sum, which may be linked to a specific purpose (e.g. tuition fees, books and materials, travel) and in any case should not exceed £2,000. Grants above that level are made only rarely. However, in the case of a course lasting more than one year, grants may be repeated for each succeeding year of the course.

In support of your application you should give us both your estimated costs of the course, including fees and an outline of how you aim to finance it (other than by a grant from this Trust). The Trust takes relative need, as well as academic excellence and other factors, into account when assessing applications. We therefore need to know what other sources you may be able to call on to help fund your course, for example other bursaries or scholarships (give us details of other applications you intend to make or have pending), income from employment, savings, loans, parental support.

5. Referees. Please give the name and email address of two referees to whom the Trust may write.

6. You may submit an application at any time, and it will be assessed when it is received. The initial assessment is carried out by Trust staff with input from the Trustees where required. Applicants who do not succeed at the initial assessment will be advised as early as possible. Please remember that competition for grants is very stiff. Applicants who pass the initial assessment may be awarded a grant at that stage, or may be submitted to the full board of Trustees for a second assessment. Trustees meet for second assessments of applications normally in late March and early September; papers for each meeting are drawn up about a month beforehand; so if the timing is critical to you, you should aim to get an application in by mid-February or mid-July accordingly, to allow time for the initial assessment and a possible second assessment. Please note that, because of the very high number of applicants, not everyone will make it to the second assessment stage.

7. Your application should be returned to –

Gavin McEwan
Scottish International Education Trust
Turcan Connell
Princes Exchange
1 Earl Grey Street
Edinburgh
EH3 9EE

Or by email to –
siet@turcanconnell.com