Bursaries
BURSARIES
The following bursaries are available to help Bookbinders who would benefit from attending the conference but who feel that the fees are beyond their means. Applicants should apply for one bursary only. If the organisers feel that an applicant is better suited to a different bursary, they will transfer that application.
• The Gordon Hartley Memorial Fund
A full bursary with a preference for a a more mature person wishing to change career to full time bookbinding.
Gordon Hartley, Chairman of the Society of Bookbinders for several years until his death in November 2007, had been a teacher for most of his working life. When he died he had recently retired from teaching but was intending to make bookbinding his second career. With this in mind, the Society has decided that if there are two or more equally qualified applicants for the bursary more mature people making a similar career change to Gordon should have preference. However, this should not deter younger applicants, as the award will be made on merit. When applicants are considered some preference will also be given to Society members, but again merit will be the main criterion.
There is no means test, as the purpose of this award is to encourage newcomers to bookbinding. The award does not cover the cost of travel to the Conference.
Applicants should be students of bookbinding (not necessarily on a formal course) who are seriously thinking about taking up bookbinding as a career, even if they are not yet very experienced.
Students who are on a course, or have been recently, should obtain a reference from their tutor.
Applications will be considered in the first instance by the committee of the Birmingham and Central Region and a short list will be forwarded to the national Council of the Society for a final decision.
Applicants will be expected to produce a short report on the Conference and their activities there.
• Full Conference Bursary for a younger binder from the UK.
• Full Conference Bursary for a binder from overseas (but not including travel expenses).
• Various regional bursaries: please ask the chairman of your regional branch for information.
• Some external organisations are able to help students with training.