Grants and Awards

Our funds

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.

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 £2K 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 £5K 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. See the Grants and Awards leaflet in the sidebar.

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. See the Grants and Awards leaflet in the sidebar.

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. Find out more here.

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.

The Big Bang Fair and ISEF

Each year some of our members act as judges at the Big Bang Fair coordinated by Engineering UK. We offer one or two prizes that allow UK students to attend ISEF in the USA. They are often the only representatives from the UK at this major international event. 

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 HMS VIGILANT, 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.