Applications for February 2025 are now closed. Details for the next application date will be made available soon.
For further information please refer to the following documents and the guidelines below:
See this map for a quick check of Scottish Government Rural Areas.
Guidelines for Applicants
The aim of the Agar Trust is to address some of the challenges faced by young people resident in rural Scotland, who demonstrate exceptional musical ability or potential, and wish to further their musical education beyond their local area.
Who can apply?
You will be aged between 8 -21 on the closing date. You will have proof of exceptional musical ability or potential. You must be resident in a rural part of Scotland (see map on website for guidance; preference will be given to those in Remote Rural areas).
What can you apply for?
Our priority is to contribute towards the additional travel and subsistence costs which are faced by residents in rural Scotland. You can apply for a grant towards attendance at an educational opportunity which relates directly to your musical studies and which is beyond your local area. For example, this might be:
a short course; an audition; Junior conservatoire; rehearsals of a national orchestra, band, or choir; private tuition; conservatoire or residential music school.
The Agar Trust awards grants from around £200 up to £700. If you are successful in gaining an award it may not be for the full amount requested. Grants are for one year. All previous applicants (successful or otherwise) are welcome to apply again. Award holders may re-apply one year after the original award, provided they have submitted a completion report.
How to apply
- The on-line application form must be completed by the applicant or parent/guardian.
- Your music teacher must complete the on-line referee form.
We will inform all applicants by email of the outcome of their application within one month of the deadline. Please check your email (and junk folder) regularly.
The decisions of the Agar Trust are final. No appeals procedure will be entered into. You are strongly advised to apply to other funds as well as the Agar Trust. This will greatly strengthen your application.
We do not fund
Purchase of musical instruments Activity, short course etc completed before your application Attendance at an orchestra, band or choir, before your audition takes place General living costs unrelated to a specific musical project FE or HE maintenance costs Foreign travel to overseas courses or individual tuition
At the end of the activity you have been funded to attend
- Please fill in your completion form.
- Why not make a contribution to music making in your local area, e.g., give a talk to the local school on your experiences and how the Agar Trust award helped you, contribute to a concert etc.?
We welcome photos of any of these events for the website or Facebook page. And don’t forget to include the Agar Trust award in your CV!
Please address any queries to [email protected]
