MKCF Bursaries
Unlock your potential with the MK Community Foundation's Bursary Programme.
What is a Bursary?
At MK Community Foundation, we firmly believe that education should be accessible to all, regardless of financial constraints.
Our annual Vital Signs report focuses on 12 major themes and combines published data with observations from local community organisations to illustrate the lived experience in Milton Keynes.
As one of the 12 themes, we define it as:
"Education should enable everyone to maximise their potential and have control over their own life course and help develop the knowledge and skills needed for stable employment."
That's why we are offering 8 incredible bursaries to help you overcome any financial barriers and unlock your full potential.
How do Bursaries work?
Bursaries are generously provided by our esteemed partners who share our vision of supporting educational opportunities across Milton Keynes.
These bursaries are not loans but rather a gift that enables you to pursue your educational journey without the burden of repayment.
What Bursaries are available?
We understand that each individual has unique talents, passions, and circumstances; which is why our bursaries cover a wide range of criteria including: academic achievement, financial need, and specific talents or interests.
We aim to provide opportunities for everyone so that regardless of your background or circumstances, there may be a bursary perfectly suited to you.
Bursary Categories:
Adams Engineering Prize
Engineering
The aim of the Adams engineering Bursary is to support students to develop a project and enhance their engineering skills.
Deadline for applications: Speak with your tutor for more information.
To apply: email Clifford.Clarke@mkcollege.ac.uk
Funded by Norman Hawes
Travel
The Norman Hawes bursary is to provide financial assistance to students, aged 15 - 18 in Milton Keynes or North Bucks, travelling abroad to enhance their education.
Deadline for applications: 23rd April, 2024
To apply: Call 01908 690276 or email applications@mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk
Sports Bursary
To give financial support to young athletes, aged 12 - 18 in Milton Keynes, competing at a regional level or demonstrate their potential, as well as recognising the efforts of their mentor/coach.
In collaboration with our partners MK Movers.
Deadline for application: 15th April 2024 and 16th July 2024
To apply: call 01908 690276 or email applications@mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk
Offset Projects
Arts Bursary
To support Milton Keynes based artists, aged 15-25, who are showing potential for excellence, in taking the next step in development of their creative practice.
Deadline for applications: 31st January 2024, 31st May 2024 and 30th Sept 2024.
To apply: please visit https://www.offsetprojects.org.uk/bursaries and fill out the application form.
All applications to the Arts Bursary need to go directly to Offset Projects, please do not use the application form on this webpage below.
Offset Projects
Stephen Groom Memorial Bursary
A bursary dedicated to the life and work of Newport Pagnell born artist Steve Groom (1951 – 2022). As a young person, Steve was encouraged to explore his own creativity by an inspirational art teacher at Ousedale School, who motivated him to follow his dreams and apply to art school.
At the age of 18 he went to Leeds University, and then later The Royal Academy of Art where he achieved a Masters in Fine Art. Inspired by Dadaism and surreal, often comedic art, he championed the absurd and the performative. He went on to exhibit his artwork at MK Gallery, set up The North Bucks Young Surrealist Association, and perform his music under multiple pseudonyms including Bingo, Big Laundry Bill and the much-loved Jimi Volcano.
In keeping with Steve’s values of playfulness, authenticity, and honesty this bursary will be awarded to a young artist who’s especially keen to experiment, challenge themselves and others, and explore the world through a unique lens.
Deadline for applications: 31st January 2024, 31st May 2024 and 30th Sept 2024
To apply: please visit https://www.offsetprojects.org.uk/bursaries and fill out the application form.
All applications to the Arts Bursary need to go directly to Offset Projects, please do not use the application form on this webpage below.
Olney Educational Trust
Education
To provide funding and support for young people living in Olney taking up an apprenticeship or starting further/higher education. To fund items such as books, IT tools and other resources to support their study.
Deadline for applications: 23rd April 2024
To apply: call 01908 690276 or email applications@mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk
Christopher Hopkins Memorial Bursary
Music
A bursary worth £1,500 and a programme of professional mentoring is available to help further the career path of a young, talented Milton Keynes-based musician or band.
The winner of the bursary will be able to use their £1,500 award for training, equipment, recording, marketing, promotion or touring.
The mentoring programme will be managed by The Stables and will include insights into the music industry, tailored to the bursary winners’ career needs and ambitions. It will provide advice on how to navigate the music industry, how to develop as a successful artist and create a fanbase, and how you earn money from writing, recording and performing music.
The Fresh Sounds bursary scheme has been made possible with support from Milton Keynes Community Foundation and the Christopher Hopkinson Memorial Music Fund.
The aim of the Christopher Hopkinson Music Bursary is to provide an investment in the development of the most promising and accomplished young musicians who live in Milton Keynes.
Fresh Sounds is open to songwriters, composers, artists, bands, producers or performers aged between 16 and 24 from any genre of music, who live in the unitary authority of Milton Keynes and who are ready to take their music career to the next stage.
Deadline for applications: Friday 29th November
For full details and to apply, visit https://stables.org/freshsounds
Fred Roche Award
Travel / Study
To enable young people from Milton Keynes to develop their interest in architecture, urbanism, town planning, landscape design and similar fields through travel and/or study.
Deadline for applications: 23rd April 2024
To apply: call 01908 690276 or email applications@mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk
Parks Trust
Study
This bursary is to support the development of young people in landscaping, forestry and arboriculture.
Deadline for applications: 23rd April 2024
To apply: call 01908 690276 or email applications@mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk
Application Form
Make an enquiry
Have any questions? Feel free to get in touch with our team.