What is the WIN Bursary?

The WIN Bursary is a scheme we launched in 2018 for Irish women or women of Irish heritage, living in the United Kingdom, to gain financial support towards an Art project or Education course.

Are there terms and conditions?

Yes. You can view the Terms & Conditions here.

How do I apply?

We have an online application form available that you can fill in and submit via this website or by emailing info@womensirishnetwork.com

What is the value of each bursary?

On average we award £3,000 to each Arts and Education recipient, there is only one award per category.

I’ve applied for a bursary before. Can I apply again?

Yes, past applicants are welcome to apply.

Are there general eligibility conditions for all applications?

Yes, all applicants must confirm that they are:

• Either Irish or of Irish heritage

• Identify as female

• Are resident in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland)

• Aged eighteen (18) years old or above at the time of applying

• Comply with the Arts or Education Bursary related criteria as detailed below.

You can view the full Terms & Conditions here.

I’m not a WIN member can I still apply?

Yes. WIN Members and non-members are welcome to apply so long as they meet the remaining eligibility criteria.

When is the deadline for applications?

The deadline for 2021 applications has now passed. We will announce any future process in 2022.

How do you decide to award?

• We review applications firstly based on meeting the eligibility criteria for each bursary.

• A dedicated panel for each bursary is appointed with two experts who then review and score the applications.

• The expert panel then invites the shortlisted applicants to attend an online interview (approximately an hour) to discuss their application.

• After which the panel will either make a final decision or request to meet with shortlisted applicants a second time and then announce the recipients of the bursaries.

What is the ongoing requirement from bursary awardees?

We ask the awardees to keep in touch over a period of two years so that we are updated on their progress, support with raising awareness about the scheme and speaking with future awardees.

The Arts Bursary

What is the application criteria for the Arts Bursary?

• Any creative or creative arts-related activity be it the creation of aesthetic objects, environments, or experiences that can be shared with others.

• The activity must be delivered by an organisation based in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland).

• If the activity is provided by an organisation, the organisation must be a registered member of the UK Arts Board.

• The activity must be undertaken within the UK.

• The activity can be based online or in person.

What do you consider to be a “creative or creative arts-related” activity?

Please find a list below of some examples and we are happy to consider activities beyond this list, on the basis that clear definitions, examples and reasoning is provided within your application.

• Painting

• Printmaking

• Plastic Arts - sculpture, carving, modelling, welding, moulding, or casting.

• Graphic arts

• Motion Picture - film, animation, video games to cinematography

• Photography

• Literature & Language - prose (fiction & non-fiction) poetry, drama and spoken word.

• Music - composition and performance

• Performance - theatre, dance, comedy, opera, mime, magic and performance art

• Culinary arts - cooking, chocolate making and winemaking.

• Comics

• Visual Arts - ceramics (decorative, industrial, or applied), architecture, design to drawing

• Conceptual Art

• Applied Arts - industrial design, illustration, and commercial art e.g. interior design

• Stage design and production

The Education Bursary

What is the application criteria for the Education Bursary?

• The course of education you wish to enrol and qualify in must be the equivalent of a Master’s Degree or above.

• The course of education can be in any subject area.

• The course must be delivered by an academic institution based in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland).

• The organisation providing the education need to be registered with the UK Register of Learning Providers.

• The education course itself need not necessarily be solely UK based.

• This includes online courses or where there is a period of study abroad as part of the course is permitted.

Is there a limit to the number of courses?

• The bursary is limited to one course per applicant.