Bursaries

*Please note applications for the SDC Main Bursary are now closed

Eligibility criteria:

Education

All applicants must be registered for and undertaking either:

• Final year research/special study as part of an undergraduate degree course.
• Postgraduate studies at higher degree level on a relevant course.
• Any study benchmarked at UK Framework for Higher Education Qualifications Level 06 or above

Proof of status

All Applications must be submitted on the form supplied & countersigned by the head of the university department confirming that the applicant is a bona fide student.

Requirements for applying for the Main Bursary:

You must fill in all sections on the application form particularly the application details and provide supporting financial evidence. If this is not complied with it will mean disqualification.

1. A synopsis of the work being undertaken and a financial breakdown of how potential monies would be spent should be submitted using the application form supplied. The Society reserves the right to seek further information about the project and the student, and in such cases will require the co-operation of the student’s academic department and/or any other party to the project.
2. Applications will be assessed by the Bursary Working Committee (BWP) of the Society’s Examinations Qualifications and Accreditation Board (EQAB). The decision of the board will be final.
3. The submission dates for bursary applications will now reopen in September 2026. Only one application per student may be submitted in any 12 month period. Submitted bursary application forms will be considered by the BWP at their quarterly meetings. These meeting take place after the end of each of the above submission dates.
4. Where funds are limited, preference will be given to applicants studying at university/college departments that are SDC College Members and to SDC Student Members.

Main Bursary is designed to support students with:

• Support costs associated with carrying out colour-related projects.
• Travel or other costs associated with attending a suitable colour related course, conference or other educational event.

Successful applicants will be required to provide the following:

• Evidence of how the bursary has been spent including copies of receipts/ invoices
• A short report (500 words max) on how the SDC Bursary has benefited them in their study. Excerpts from this report may be used for marketing and communications purposes by the SDC.
• A photograph of the candidate and copy of their colour-related project (if the SDC Bursary has been used for this purpose).

Please read carefully the all the guidelines for applications before you apply

Guidelines for applications Main Bursary

In past years the Society received a significant number of applications from students reading a broad range of subjects including art, design, science and technology.

A high number of applications were rejected because they could have been written by any one of hundreds of other students. This was due to the fact that they were not sufficiently different in terms of novelty or informative of how an award would enhance their understanding of colour or show an imaginative application of colour in their work.

When making an application, students should provide a description of the work being undertaken and provide details of how the bursary award will contribute and enhance their knowledge, understanding and application of colour or colour effects. Please note that the maximum award the Society will make is £500 and that awards granted to beneficiaries may be smaller. In deciding the level of award, account will be taken of the financial estimate provided by the applicant.

It is recommended that applications are structured in the following format:

• Synopsis of the project, with an explanation of how it specifically involves colour;
• Detail how the award will contribute to enhancing your knowledge and understanding of colour;
• The way in which the award will enable you to produce work that involves an innovative use of colour in the project;
• Comprehensive financial estimates for the initiatives for which an award is being requested.

Inclusions & exemptions Main Bursary

1. The Society is happy to provide funding to support travel or other costs associated with attending an appropriate colour related course, conference or other educational event such as an exhibition. However, please note that visits for example to art venues or exhibitions as a member of a student group that are organised through the student’s university department or for any other visit for which a financial commitment has already been made will not be funded.
2. An award may be used for the purchase of specialised items & equipment for example specialised dyes, fabrics, scales or text books for carrying out projects in which colour is a key feature. However the Society will NOT fund the following:
   • General consumables such as sketchbooks, pencils etc
   • Electronic or electrical items including laptops, tablets, software or sewing machines.
   • Provide financial support towards living costs, rent or general travel costs
   • Provide financial support towards undergraduate or postgraduate course fees

Offered to students who are registered to take the course Textile Coloration Science and Technology (level 6), leading to Associateship of the SDC (ASDC) and are self-funding.

Requirements for students applying for bursaries of up to £500 from the SDC:

Applications must be submitted on the form supplied by the Society.

• Submissions may be made at any time, but only one application per student may be submitted in any 12 month period. The latest submission dates for ASDC bursary applications are the same as the last application dates for ASDC as given in the ASDC prospectus, ie 31st May.
• Applications will be assessed by the Bursary Working Committee (BWP) of the Society’s Examinations Qualifications and Accreditation Board (EQAB). The decision of the board will be final.