Dancer in Training Award

Dancer in Training Award

Dancer in Training Award

Award Summary

This award is offered on an annual basis to support £500 travel costs for a dancer in training who is undertaking their studies in the UK. Support may be related to but not limited by:

  • Support an aspect of study related to future career aspirations e.g., observe a process, visit an event, work experience (over and above what may be offered as part of their studies)
  • Facilitate the research aspect of a dissertation e.g., travel to interview an individual, undertake some research at a specific repository, library, observe a process or choreographer
  • Access to further practical training e.g., undertake classes with a specific teacher or choreographer, experience a performance, undertake training or practice that relates to future career aspirations (i.e. working with young children, community based practice, elders, somatic work, dancers with disabilities, varying styles)
  • Support is for travel only – in the UK or overseas. LUTSF does not pay fees for courses or conferences. We cannot not pay for subsistence.
Click here for this guidance in Audio-Visual format

Why this award and why now?

  • To support dance education. The award recognises the recent diminishing of dance education across many institutions and the closure of several degrees, HND and dance courses. This award would recognise and celebrate the importance of studying dance at degree, dance company associated training and other learning contexts across the dance sector.
  • To support deeper thinking, research and innovation at undergraduate /postgraduate/early career level. To encourage applicants to widen their sphere of thinking and research as related to dissertation research/ individual study, practice, networking supporting future career aspirations.
  • To extend the LUTSF to a wider and more diverse cohort of applicants studying various genres, styles and types of dance practice. In this LUTSF seeks to respond to: #TogetherWe Will #BlackLivesMatter to encourage applicants who consider themselves to be students with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and neurodiversity, Global Majority dancers and people who may experience disadvantage to engage with LUTSF.

How to Apply

This award is offered on an annual basis to support a dancer in training, who is undertaking their studies in the UK. Support may be related to but not limited by:

  • Support an aspect of study related to future career aspirations e.g., observe a process, visit an event, work experience (over and above what may be offered as part of their studies)
  • Facilitate the research aspect of a dissertation e.g., travel to interview an individual, undertake some research at a specific repository, library, observe a process or choreographer
  • Access to further practical training e.g., undertake classes with a specific teacher or choreographer, experience a performance, undertake training or practice that relates to future career aspirations (i.e. working with young children, community based practice, elders, somatic work, dancers with disabilities, varying styles and genres of dance)

Application period for 2024/2025 runs from May 2024 until 30th June 2024. The electronic application form will appear in this period. The questions are below for reference.

Please read the information below and the FAQs (below) carefully before applying and before contacting LUTSF with an enquiry. We have limited capacity to respond to enquiries.

Are you eligible to apply?
  • Support is for travel only – in the UK or overseas. LUTSF does not pay fees for courses or conferences. It does not pay subsistence;
  • Applications must be from individuals, not institutions, groups or companies;
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of their application;
  • Undergraduate and Postgraduate students are eligible to apply;
  • Applicants must have been resident in the UK for a minimum of two (2) years at the time of their application;
  • Travel must originate in and return to the United Kingdom;
  • Applicants that are engaged in Masters study following an undergraduate degree in dance may apply if they have less than 2 years of professional experience. Masters students undertaking their first dance degree may apply providing they do not have more than 2 years full-time professional experience or 4 years part-time experience;
What kinds of project will NOT be considered?
  • Joint or group projects, although applications from individuals who are part of a larger project team may be considered
  • Projects where a proportion of the time away is used for leisure or paid work activities. Given the financial challenges facing those working in the arts, we have relaxed our previous restriction on undertaking paid work during LUTSF funded travel. Some paid work may now be undertaken and included as match funding to meet the non-travel based costs of the trip . However, the primary purpose of the trip and majority of the time (at least 75%), must still be for the purposes of professional development as opposed to professional work. Where applicants are entitled to claim all or part of their travel costs from an organisation engaging them professionally, they will not be eligible to apply. The Committee will use its discretion when evaluating the significance of paid work activities and may make part awards for travel.
How does the Selection Process operate?

Applications are processed by a sub-selection committee. All applicants are informed of the outcome of their application in writing by the end of July. Each application is considered on its merits and the decision of the Management Committee is final.

What Selection Criteria are used? What are we looking for in projects?
  • Innovative programmes of professional development which clearly relate to your studies will have a greater chance of success. We prefer to fund plans which are more individually tailored; build on the applicant’s current experience; develop or enhance collaborations and which demonstrate significant benefits in terms of the applicant’s artistic and/or career development.
  • Your application will need to show enthusiasm, passion and commitment
  • Your project should be well thought through, be well structured and have clear aims and there should be evidence of some preliminary research where appropriate
  • Your application will need to show how the experience of travelling to undertake your project will aid your, educational and / or artistic development
  • Your application should explain how the resulting skills and knowledge will inform your future practice
If you are successful, what happens next?
  • You will be informed via email of the success of your application
  • You will sign a contract in which you agree to carry out your project as described and to seek approval from LUTSF in writing (email) for any necessary changes
  • You will agree to supply all travel invoices to the treasurer within one month of completion of project
  • You will agree to submit a report within one month of your return from your study trip

Terms and conditions

Please note LUTSF is unable to fund:
Travel insurance, visas, additional baggage costs, Covid-tests; innoculations
Changes in Projects: Before you apply, please ensure that you are ready to apply for this project and provide as much confirmed information as possible. If you are awarded a scholarship and your project then deviates significantly from what is in this application, your scholarship may be withdrawn.
Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults: If you are awarded a scholarship and are working with children or vulnerable adults in your role, it is a condition of the award that you comply with any police / background checks required by your host organisation and / or which are required by law. You are also expected to comply with any child / vulnerable adult policies which are in place at your host organisation. Please make sure to check with your host organisation or other relevant authorities what checks are required and policies and procedures around working with children / vulnerable adults before you apply.

FAQS

Click here for the FAQs in Audio-Visual Format
What is the maximum amount that can be applied for?

The maximum funding amount is £500.

What is the running time of the award?

Projects taking place from September to September following an application period running through June.

Is there a residency requirement in relation to the award?

Yes, applicants must have been resident in the UK for a minimum of two (2) years at the time of their application.

Is there a minimum age requirement to apply?

Yes, applicants must at least be 18 to be eligible.

What costs will LUTSF fund?

LUTSF Support is for travel only – in the UK or overseas. LUTSF will fund the following:

Where required, connecting long distance travel in your country of destination e.g. internal flights, long distance rail fares
Travel that originates in and returns to the United Kingdom. Second class / standard class fares only. We expect applicants to research the most economic routes available.

What we will not be able to fund

Fees; travel and other kinds of insurance; visa costs; additional baggage; accommodation; subsistence costs; Covid tests; innoculations

Can I travel to a country which the Foreign Office advises against visiting?

We will not support travel to a country that the Foreign Office advises against traveling to, and we reserve the right to withdraw scholarship offers where there is a change in Foreign Office advice between the grant offer and date of travel.

I am registered disabled, what costs will LUTSF fund?

For applicants who are registered disabled, In addition to the award we will fund the following, subject to providing evidence of disability:

  • Where the need for a carer is evidenced, we will provide return travel costs for the carer in addition to the applicant’s travel costs.
  • Applicants who are registered disabled are expected to research the most viable economic route.
Can I send the reference, budget or confirmation from my host organisation/s after the application deadline?

No, we are sorry we cannot accept incomplete applications. All supporting documentation must be included with your application.

What information do you require for the ‘Host/s Letter of Confirmation’
  • The letter of confirmation from the host organisation/s is essential so we can ensure any award offered can be used for the purposes outlined in the application form.
  • Where you are applying for travel to an event such as a conference, course or workshop, we require confirmation from the relevant organisation that you have a place. If this cannot be confirmed because, for example, the results of your application are not yet known, then please include confirmation you have applied for a place.
  • If you are applying for travel to support a residency or project with an organisation/s, please include written confirmation from each organisation you will be working with (either an email including header or a letter on headed paper).
  • Where you are planning a self-directed trip visiting one or more organisations, we require evidence that you have made contact with the organisations that you plan to visit and that they are happy to host/meet with you. Where you are planning to visit a number of organisations, it may not be possible at the application stage to obtain confirmation from all of them, but we would expect confirmation from the most significant.
What financial information do you require?
  • All applicants must complete the Budget Template with financial information for their entire trip. We require information about all the costs of your trip including those not funded by LUTSF and the other income streams you are accessing to support the trip. This reassures us that you have properly researched the costs of your trip and how you anticipate funding them, and allows us to assess the likelihood of the trip taking place.
  • Please also supply screenshots or travel agent quotes for all the travel costs you are applying to LUTSF to fund.
  • Please note, all travel receipts must be kept and supplied to the fund treasurer.
  • WE CANNOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS WITHOUT A COMPLETED BUDGET TEMPLATE AND TRAVEL QUOTES.
Who should provide the reference attached to the application?
  • The reference you attach must be from the Institution where you currently train. It must state the length of time the referee has known the applicant. Wherever possible, it should be on headed paper and signed, or include the email header to show the name and email address of the sender.
  • References may not be from a friend, partner or relative.
How can I increase the chance of my application being successful?

Ensure that you complete the application properly and that you are eligible to apply. Your application will be more likely to be funded if it is for an innovative programme of professional development which clearly relates to your studies. We prefer to fund plans which are more individually tailored; build on the applicant’s previous experience and which demonstrate significant benefits and relevance to the applicant’s field of study.

It is important you provide details for your programme of activity: the aims of the trip, details of host organisation(s), what you will explore and what you hope to gain from each aspect of the trip. Vague plans will not be successful.

Can I change my plans and/or travel dates after being given an award?

The award is made on the basis of the travel dates and plans outlined in your application. You must inform the Chair immediately if travel dates/ plans change after notification of an award. In the event of major changes, the award is usually withdrawn. Exceptions:

  • Ill health (a medical certificate to be provided)
  • The host/organisation cannot accommodate you on the original agreed dates
  • An applicant wishes to add additional professional development opportunities to the original project outlined in their application
What won’t LUTSF fund?
  • We do not fund travel for auditions for schools and companies.
  • We do not fund travel which is related to professional engagements even where an element of ‘educational development’ is included in the trip.
  • The fund is for travel for individuals, we will not fund any applications from organisations or companies.
  • We do not fund travel where the trip is being undertaken on behalf of a company or organisation.
  • We will not fund applications that have no evidence of planning, no budget and no agreement from the host party.
What are the Application form questions/word counts?

We accept completed application forms only between April and June using the online form (exact dates announce annually). Here are the questions required to complete the application form in the meantime.

  • Personal details
  • Summary of project (50 words)
  • Project dates and destination
  • Cost of travel
  • Education/training
  • How does this application relate to your field of study?
  • Name and contact details of one referee from your institution/organisation of study
  • Project description (500 words / 22350 characters max)
  • Reasons for undertaking the project (500 words / 22350 characters max)
  • Are you seeking funding from another source? If so where?
  • How did you hear about LUTSF?

YOUR APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ATTACHMENTS (.doc, .docx or .pdf max 1mb)

  • Evidence of planning including dates and travel details
  • Any letters of support, invitation and/or confirmation from your destination host
  • Letter of support for this project from your one referee. This referee should be someone from an organisation/insitution that you train at.
  • Completed budget document