Awards and Competitions

This is not a comprehensive list - it contains schemes we've come across or have been asked to publicise. Some involve cash awards, many don't. Some of the non-cash awards and prizes are valuable resources in themselves, or have value because of the publicity, prestige or credibility they bestow - helping your work appear attractive to other funders and investors. We aim to include only those Awards and Competition prizes which have some 'real' value for the recipients.

There are a lot of awards for Arts and individual artists. Other websites produce lists of these awards and links to these are listed separately at the bottom of this page

• Awards for Bridging Cultures
  - UK. Awards of £10,000 and £5,000 for voluntary and community groups running local schemes and projects which promote intercultural dialogue and understanding. Also for public and private sector organisations for initiating and supporting such schemes. The deadline for applications is 13 September 2010.
• B&Q One Planet Living Awards
  - UK and Ireland. The B&Q One Planet Living Grant offers between £50 and £250 of B&Q materials to schools, community groups and charitable organisations for long-term sustainable projects. Projects must support at least one of the following themes: save energy, conserve nature, support local culture & heritage or grow your own. Applications must be from a school, registered charitable organisation or other recognised community group. Projects can apply for funding between 1 February 2010 and 30 September 2010 and successful projects must collect their materials no later than 31 October 2010.
• Biffaward
  - UK but within 10 mile radius of a landfill site. A Landfill Communities Fund scheme. Main grants £5,000 – £50,000 and small grants £250 - £5,000 for projects that provide and improve community facilities, and projects that conserve wildlife species and habitats. No deadlines.
• DSC Social Change Awards
  - UK. The Social Change Awards are for all those working to achieve a positive change in society - individuals, charities, community groups, companies, public bodies. You can nominate yourself or your organisation – or recommend someone else for an award. Four categories.
• Healthy Heart Grants
  - UK. For innovative projects designed to promote heart health and to prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease in specific groups or communities. Grants of up to £10,000 are available to community groups, voluntary organisations and researchers who are spreading the healthy heart message. Applications are only accepted during January and February, and July and August.
• Making Music Awards, Bursaries and Prizes
  - Throughout the year Making Music makes a number of awards, bursaries and prizes to individual musicians, groups and organisations in both the voluntary and professional sector. Some of these, such as the Philip & Dorothy Green Award for Young Concert Artists and Composer in Residence, the Raymond Fox and Alfreda Hodgson Bursaries, are aimed at young professional musicians at the beginning of their careers. Others such as the Sir Charles Groves Prizes recognise lifelong contributions to the musical life of the UK.
• Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
  - UK. Recognises outstanding commitment and contribution to local communities by groups of volunteers (two or more people). No deadlines - nominations are considered at any point within three years of being submitted and are awarded annually on 2 June.
• v Match Fund
  - England ONLY. Young people (16 – 25) and volunteering. The vMatch Fund brings together private sector partners and charities to create innovative volunteering opportunities with clear community benefits. The Fund matches up to 100% of any new investment in youth volunteering.
• WRG Communities Challenge
  - Funding is available for projects which comply with Object D of the Landfill Communities Fund (previously known as the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme).Organisations and groups are invited to bid for funding of between £75,000 and £250,000 for capital projects which will make a real difference to their community.

Arts and Artists

• Artquest
  - Free information and advice for London's visual artists and craftspeople. The site includes information on a range of awards, grants and funding opportunities which those outside London will also find of interest.
• Book Trust
  - Literature. Booktrust administers a number of book prizes and awards that celebrate the best books for readers of all ages.
• British Arts
  - Visual arts. A calendar of current competitions for the visual arts is maintained on this site.
• Crafts Council
  - Crafts. A searchable directory of current awards and competitions for crafts.
• Literature Training
  - Literature. The funding section of this site contains information on various awards for professional development.
• Musicians Benevolent Fund
  - Music. Awards, Scholarships and Competitions for Young Musicians.
• Poetry Library
  - Literature. A list of current poetry competitions is available on this site.
• Scottish Book Trust
  - Literature. Makes awards for readings, workshops and residencies as well as new and imaginative ways of working with writers. Also runs the Royal Mail Awards for Scottish children’s books annually.
• Society of Authors
  - Literature. The Society of Authors administers numerous prizes, funds and grants.