As a relatively ‘young’ company (in City terms) we have been fortunate over the years to receive generous donations from Liverymen and legacies from deceased members which form the bulk of our funds. However the need for philanthropy is as strong today as it ever has been and we welcome contributions however large or small. Potential members should note that there is an expectation that members will donate annually a minimum of £75 through gift aid.
The leaflet below explains the awards we offer, however it should be noted that you cannot apply for these directly to us only via your University. We currently work with up to eight affiliated Universities. Details of the awards on offer are normally sent out in the Autumn, with interviews in early Spring.
University Awards
How we use these funds is summarised below.
1. The young
University Students
Each year we give scholarships to post graduate students at eight universities with an award of £2,000 each. In addition, two of the universities have an extra award following a generous donation from a Past Master. The Beloe Fellowship is an annual award of £10,000 competed for by applicants from these Universities doing post doctoral research. We also give travel grants to any of our Apprentices, Scholars or Freemen wish to attend a scientific conference in order to present a paper. Please log into the members area in order to apply.
University Awards & travel grants
Arkwright Scholarships
We sponsor annually four Arkwright Scholarships, each for two years. The recipients are invited to become apprenticed to a Liveryman until they are 21 when they are able to become free of the City by servitude. When they are at University or undertaking a recognised form of further education or apprenticeship they can apply for an annual grant of £500 for four years and for a further three years if they are studying for a PhD.
Apprenticeships
Southwark Sea Cadets
We have supported T/S Cossack for over ten years with an annual grant and their ‘cadet of the year’ is invited to dinner and receives a certificate and financial award. They provide a ‘carpet’ guard at our two major dinners.
Schools
We endeavour to support schools in the Borough of Southwark either with annual grants or money for specific projects or equipment related to science. We currently support Charles Dickens Primary School, the London Nautical School, and City of London Academy Southwark. We also support a biennial day in our Hall to encourage primary school pupils to take up STEM subjects when they move on to secondary school. We welcome applications from pupils at these schools to become Apprentices.
The Education Trust Supper
This supper is free to all Freemen, Scholars and Apprentices under the age of 30 to get together in the Hall annually on an informal basis and is supported by funds generously donated by a Past Master.
2. The Armed Forces
We are proud to support four branches of the armed forces with awards to the Royal Navy Hydrographic School, the Royal School of Military Survey and the Royal Air Force Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering.
3. Our own people
Our diligent Honorary Almoner keeps an eagle eye on our own members in need of assistance: those who are suffering from a long term illness and need some extra care or support and the widows of deceased Liverymen who are not forgotten. The Almoner can be contacted through the Clerk.