The deadline for February 2026 has now passed. When we have scheduled the next deadline it will appear here.
 

Guidance for Applicants

Group applications are welcomed but we can only consider one coordinated application per group project. Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate clear evidence of forward planning.

Funding can be requested up to a maximum of £2,000.  Applicants should be aware that grants very rarely exceed £2,000 and more commonly are for lesser sums. 

Applicants whose projects span both visual art and music should choose which fund to apply for. Please do not apply to both music and visual art.

Please note that the Trust operates a strict no repeats policy and will not consider applications from applicants who have been successful within the last 3 years.  For example, if you were made an award in March 2023, you would not be able to reapply until June 2026.

The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017

To comply with these regulations, if your application is successful, we will require photographic ID of the applicant/payee of the award to verify full name and date of birth.  Recent proof of address (must be dated within the past 3 months) will also be required.  No payments can be made until this has been received and agreed as satisfactory.  Any payments issued will be issued to the individuals full stated name, not an artist’s stage name.

Please also bear in mind that the Trust has limited funds. The trustees would like to use the money at their disposal to help people and projects where there is a serious financial need.

The trustees meet three times a year, usually in March, June and October. Applicants will be informed of the trustees’ decision as soon as possible after each meeting. Due to the volume of applications, we cannot provide feedback for unsuccessful applicants.

Grants for artists

Application form

Grants are given to artists whose practice may include painting, sculpture, printmaking, performance, photography, and moving image. Preference is given to early career applicants who were born in Scotland or who live permanently in Scotland.

Grants are given for the following purposes:

  • Production of new work 
  • Exhibition related publications 
  • Travel where clearly defined outcomes are specified 
  • Exhibition costs and related activities
  • Residencies 

The Trust’s remit is restricted. We are unable to fund the following:

  • Ordinary educational/course fees
  • Documentary film making
  • Crafts
  • Book Illustration
  • Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies

The deadline for February 2026 has now passed. When we have scheduled the next deadline it will appear here.

Applicant details

Full Name *
Primary / Correspondence Address *
Email address *
Mobile No *
Date of Birth *
DD/MM/YYYY
Place of Study/Qualification received (if applicable)
Please tell us how you or the project relates to Scotland (50 words maximum) *
Registered Charity number (if applicable)
Please indicate your preferred method(s) of contact regarding this application *
Please provide a summary of your application (50 words maximum) *

Details of the application you are submitting

Name of group/event/venue (if applicable)
Amount you are requesting from the Trust *
Have you applied to this Trust before? *
Were you successful?
If so when was the award made?
How much was the award for?
Principal collaborators - please tell us who else will be working on the project with you, and if any of them have received awards from the Hope Scott Trust previously then please include the amount and date of the award
Please provide a synopsis of the project (500 words maximum) *
Please provide an estimated total cost of the project along with a breakdown of costs *
Have you given appropriate consideration to issues around equalities, diversity and inclusion in your application? *

Other Funding

Have you applied to any other bodies for financial support for this project? *
Tell us about your applications

Examples and reviews 

Please provide links to images of other projects or work that you would like the trustees to consider (no more than 6) *

Need help sharing image links, view our video here.

Please provide up to 4 relevant web links to work and other projects which might support your application (e.g. own website, YouTube, Instagram, press reviews etc)

Link to your CV *
Please link to a maximum of 2 references or letters of support (optional).
If you have graduated within the last two years, you must include one academic reference link

Please note that with a view to the protection of your personal information, the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulation require us to obtain your consent in relation to the Trust processing your personal information. We would therefore ask that you read the Privacy Notice before completing this consent form.