Applications are now being accepted for Eddie Byers Scholarships, a fund set up in memory of the late chief executive of English UK.
The grants are available to UK-based charities leading projects that meet the scholarship’s mission to “enrich and support individuals and communities through English language teaching”.
The scholarship fund was established with donations from Eddie’s family, friends and former colleagues; English UK members, and a Three Peaks Challenge charity walk by English UK staff and board members.
“Being able to offer this in his name is a truly wonderful thing”
Sarah Cooper, chief executive of English UK, thanked everyone who contributed to the scheme.
“We are very proud of this scholarship, which honours both Eddie’s passion for education and supports English UK’s charitable mission to advance the education of international students in the English language. This was a project he had discussed many times, and it was very dear to his heart.”
Cooper was appointed CEO after Byers’s untimely death in late 2015.
Up to £10,000 of funding will be made available annually, for an initial three years. An awarding committee will decide which projects will receive the funding with a maximum value of £2,500.
Byers’s wife, Sam Byers, a member of the awarding committee, said, “Seeing this scholarship coming to fruition is incredible, and being able to offer this in his name is a truly wonderful thing. I am excited to be involved, and look forward to meeting some of the recipients as they continue their – and Eddie’s – journey with English UK.”
Applicants must be registered UK charities and they must be able to deliver the proposed project and report back on its impact.
According to English UK, the projects must meet several criteria including using English language teaching to improve the prospects and opportunities open to an individual and their community. They must be impossible without the scholarship’s financial support, and must also be non-discriminatory.
Full terms and conditions and the application form are available on the English UK website. The closing date for this year’s scholarship round is Friday, April 21.
