FOCAL International Bursary Programme – Application Form

Purpose of the FOCAL Bursaries Programme

The Programme aims to:

• Support the professional development and career progression of FOCAL members working across archives, media, and the wider visual content industries.
• Remove financial barriers that may prevent members from accessing training, conferences, or industry engagement opportunities.
• Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion by ensuring that members with limited financial resources can participate in sector‑wide development activities.
• Strengthen the collective skills and leadership capacity of the FOCAL community, contributing to excellence across the audiovisual and archive media sectors.

Eligibility Criteria

Bursaries are available to:

• Current FOCAL International members - whether individual members or representatives of company member organisations.
• Members in good standing with fully paid membership fees for more than two years.
• Individuals who can demonstrate genuine financial need.
• Applicants whose proposed activity aligns with FOCAL's mission to promote best practice and excellence in audiovidual and archive media industries.
• Applicants aged 18 or over.
• Applicants who are not enrolled in full-time or part-time undergraduate or postgraduate degree programmes.
• Applicants whose proposed activity will take place within the same calendar year that the bursary is awarded.

Priority consideration will be given to:

• Early-career professionals (0-7 years' experience).
• Members based in or representing low-income or under-resourced regions or organisations.
• Applicants who have not received bursary support from FOCAL within the past 24 months.

Types of Bursaries Offered

1. Training & Skills Development Bursary

Supports participation in training and skills‑focused activities such as:

• Short courses and workshops.
• Technical or craft‑based upskilling.
• Digital preservation or research‑based training.
• Copyright, rights clearance, and licensing workshops.
• Specialist archive, production, or technology‑focused training.
• Professional accreditation courses relevant to audiovisual or media archive practice. (Excludes activities listed under "What We Do Not Fund")

2. Conference & Events Bursary

Supports attendance at:

• FOCAL‑hosted events that offer meaningful career or skills development (excluding purely social events).
• Sector conferences, seminars, or symposiums.
• International events relevant to archival, media, or audiovisual practice.

Funding Amounts

Bursary can be granted up to the following amounts:

• Standard Travel Support Bursary: £250-1,000
• Conference Bursary: Up to £1,500
• Skills Training Bursary: Up to £2,000

Part-funding is permitted where awards cover a portion of the proposed costs.

Please note that a limited number of bursaries are available, and awards will be made on a competitive basis.

Eligible costs may include:

• Training or course fees.
• Event registration fees.
• Travel and accommodation (see below for limits).
• Subsistence (see below for limits).
• Accessibility‑related costs (e.g., mobility support or access services).
• Other reasonable expenses directly related to participation, subject to approval.

All claimed costs must be reasonable and represent the most economical options available.

• Travel must be booked using the cheapest suitable form of transport.
• Accommodation costs are capped at £170 per night.
• Subsistence is capped at:
  • £5 for breakfast
  • £10 for lunch
  • £15 for dinner
• Alcohol cannot be reimbursed under any circumstances.
• All claims must be supported by itemised receipts.

What we do not fund:

• Full‑time or part‑time undergraduate or postgraduate degree courses.
• Tickets to industry conferences or events without a structured training element.
• Long‑term research projects.
• Equipment purchases.
• Membership or exhibition fees.
• Salaries, stipends, or compensation.
• Commercial business development costs.
• Activities or projects unrelated to FOCAL’s mission.
• Costs already incurred, or participation that began before an application was submitted (including associated travel or subsistence).
• Personal debts or general living expenses.

Application Process

1. Online Application Submission

Applicants must complete the official online application form and provide:

• Personal and professional details.
• Confirmation of current FOCAL membership status.
• A description of the activity requiring support.
• A clear, itemised budget.
• A statement outlining financial need.
• An explanation of expected professional outcomes and impact.

2. Required Supporting Documents

Applicants must submit:

• A current CV or short professional biography.
• Proof of course or event registration, where applicable.
• A Letter of Support:
  • Employees: from a line manager or senior colleague.
  • Freelancers/sole traders: from a FOCAL member, professional mentor, or appropriate industry contact.

Deadlines

Applications will be assessed on a quarterly basis:
March, May/June, September, December.

Emergency applications may be reviewed throughout the year at FOCAL’s discretion.

Selection and Evaluation

Applications will be reviewed by the FOCAL Bursary Review Committee, based on

• Relevance to the applicant’s professional development goals.
• Contribution to FOCAL’s mission and wider sector benefit.
• Strength, clarity, and feasibility of the proposal.
• Demonstrated financial need.
• Budget realism and value for money.
• The applicant’s willingness to share learnings with the wider FOCAL community (e.g., a short report, blog, presentation, or other contribution).

Applicants will typically receive a decision within 4–6 weeks.

Post-Award Requirements

• Submit a short completion report summarising outcomes
• Provide at least one piece of media content suitable for FOCAL’s social channels or website, this might include;
  • A written statement or short reflective summary.
  • Photographs taken during the funded activity.
  • A brief video (e.g., 30–60 seconds) discussing what you learned or how the bursary supported your development.
  • Any other suitable content agreed with FOCAL in advance.
• Provide receipts or evidence of all funded expenditure. All claims must be supported by itemised receipts. Claims without receipts cannot be reimbursed under any circumstances.