Bursaries and Scholarships

Young people who live in the Caribbean region are invited to apply for a bursary to set sail on a Tall Ships’ sail training adventure during 2018 and 2019.

Who can apply?

Anyone living in the Caribbean region aged 15-25 years old at the time of sailing. Priority will be given to young people who Sail Training International feel would benefit the most from a sail training experience. More information about the value of sail training can be seen here.

What adventures are available?

The following Tall Ships are going to be in the Caribbean region from May 2018 – May 2019 and have spaces available for sail training voyages. They are all Sail Training Blue Flag registered vessels, which means they have signed a pledge to adhere to a code of environmental best practice on board and the scheme is supported by the Foundation for Environmental Education.

More vessels and dates to follow.

If you find an alternative sail training vessel you would like to sail on in the Caribbean region, we will let you know if they meet Sail Training International’s criteria and therefore eligible to be part of the Caribbean Bursary Fund.

What funding is available?

Bursaries of up to Euro 500 are available to each applicant, on a match-funded basis. In exceptional circumstances this amount may be increased.

Match funding means that the funds awarded by Sail Training International need to be matched by a similar amount raised by the applicant, or donated by a local businesses, institution, charity or other sponsor.

How to apply

1. Take a look at the vessels sailing in the Caribbean region and see if there is a vessel and date to suit you.

2. Fill in the application form here and return it to bursaries@sailtraininginternational.org

The final deadline for applications is 31 March 2019, but bursaries will be awarded on an ongoing basis until the funds have gone, so apply sooner rather than later.

3. As soon as your application is received it will be assessed, on a case by case basis, and Sail Training International will let you and the vessel know if your application has been successful at the earliest opportunity.

Want to know more about your sail training adventure?

Explore the pages sailonboard.com and if you have any general questions please email enquiries@sailonboard.com.

We look forward to welcoming you on board!

What Is It?

In 2012, we had the pleasure of launching a bursary scheme in partnership with the Sultanate of Oman. It aims to foster international friendship and provide new and exciting opportunities for up to 100 young people each year. It does this by helping them to experience a sail training voyage on a Tall Ship during a Sail Training International (STI) Tall Ships Race or Regatta.

STI has enjoyed a long, positive relationship with Oman. The country is regularly involved with our events and is committed to developing young people. Both things that we value!

In 2014, the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) celebrated the delivery of a brand new sail training vessel, Shabab Oman II, replacing Shabab Oman (Youth of Oman) which had a long and proud sail training history – she won the prestigious International Friendship Trophy nine times! The beautiful Shabab Oman II continues Oman’s sail training success story, promoting international friendship and peace.

How Did the Bursary Start?

We trialled the scheme at the Tall Ships Races in 2011 and launched it officially in 2012. Back then, we awarded funds to 25 trainees from seven countries – the Royal Navy of Oman has funded the scheme every year since.

The RNO also presents the Sultan Qaboos Trophy, which it awards annually to the organisation or individual who has done the most to promote sail training for young people.

Since 2013, RNO and Sail Training International have worked together to bring young Omanis to Europe to participate in STI events on board other nations’ ships.

Who Can Apply?

The Oman Bursary Scheme is open to applicants who have never taken part in a Tall Ships Race or Regatta (training). We welcome financially or physically disadvantaged people between 15 and 25 years old, regardless of nationality, background, physical ability, or previous sailing experience. The maximum amount awarded is €500 each.

We receive applications from a huge variety of young people from all walks of life and from all over the world. Trainees’ support letters often reveal their dedication, motivation and sometimes the difficulties that they’ve faced, such as health and personal problems. Those who are awarded the Oman Bursary achieve something special – they become part of a team of people from different nationalities in a new and exciting environment, form friendships and make memories that last a lifetime.

Apply Now

Oman Bursary Approved Vessels

You can see the full list of Oman Bursary approved vessels below.

How You Can Apply

To apply, download and complete an application form. The form for voyages in 2019 is available here as a pdf and here as a word document.

You need to select the race and leg that you’re interested in. You can see the Oman Bursary approved vessels below.

Testimonials

Here are some of the thoughts and reflections from previous Oman Bursary winners.

“The high sea can be a harsh environment, so it quickly creates strong bonds between people!” – Xavier Wadbled

“Being afraid of heights, I experienced my moment of true happiness… climbing to the highest point on the ship while sailing… enjoying the view of a lifetime.” – Davis Odzins

To see what other recipients of the Oman and other sail training bursaries have been saying, check out their testimonials

Vessels Taking Part in the Tall Ships Races 2019 (Vessels will be added to this list over the next few weeks)

Vessels need to meet the following criteria to be considered Oman Bursary approved:

1. Vessels must comply with the current Racing & Sailing Rules and Special Regulations for Tall Ships Races and Regattas, (only applicable for participating vessels).

2. Captains and officers must be duly qualified and hold all necessary certificates required by the laws of their country to undertake the planned voyage or participate in the race or regatta series.

3. Vessels must be legally registered, licensed and insured to sail with trainees and take part in all programmed activities whether in port or at sea (including racing) and approved for the sea area of the voyage. A copy of the vessel’s registration certificate may be required.

4. Vessels must hold an appropriate commercial certificate to take passengers or trainees, and they must submit a valid annual inspection certificate from their Certifying Authority which is approved for the sea area of the voyage.

5. The vessel’s stability characteristics and certification must be appropriate for the sea areas and season of the voyage being undertaking.

6. Vessel operators must hold valid insurance cover against third party claims and injury, death or other loss to bursary recipients sailing as trainees, staff, or volunteers to a minimum British pounds £5M for the class of voyage and activities to be undertaken.

7. Must have a Safety Management System (SMS) appropriate to their vessel. This can be in the language of the ship.

8. Must have a trainee safeguarding, welfare and protection policy in place and a system for criminal record checks, or, where there is no national system, an internal system for checking references for their sea staff and adult volunteers.

9. Vessel operators must have a proven safety and a proven track record (2 years) of delivering sail training voyages for young people.

10. Vessels must have a proven track record of effectively delivering youth development work within their sail training programme. They must either submit their sail training programme with the application, or provide an outline of activities on a typical voyage. In subsequent years, the quality will be monitored using feedback from trainees and others.

11. In all cases, the Bursary Selection Panel has absolute discretion over decisions regarding the award of bursaries.

Please contact amanda.goodden@sailtraininginternational.org for more information.

What Is It?

The James Myatt Trust is a registered charity that’s run by trustees. Its aim is to support young people who are keen to take part in a sail training adventure in the U.K. and abroad.

The Trust has awarded 31 bursaries this year, across all of our Races and Regattas.

How Did The Trust Start?

In 1984, James Myatt’s friends and family started the trust. They made generous donations in his memory to help young people and sail training in general.

James Myatt was a keen sailor. His love of the sea began when he joined the Sea Scouts as a teenager in the U.K. Later, he led many voyages during the early days of sail training… and won the first Sail Training Association race across the Atlantic in 1964. He really valued the role of international friendship in sail training, and even helped to introduce Polish and Russian friendship cruises during the Cold War!

James later worked for the British Army, focusing on youth and leadership training. During his time there, he become special advisor to the new Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme – something that many of our trainees take part in today.

Who Can Apply?

If you’re 16-25 years old and are prepared to raise a portion of the funds yourself, this could be the right option for you.

The Trust awards several different, and will even consider funding more than one person from a group. It focuses on voyages operated by the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO).

ASTO has vessels from 18m to more than 60m in length, and schedules voyages that can last between two and 14 days. So, you’ll be sure to find a sail training voyage that suits you and your timetable!

International Exchange Grants

The James Myatt Trust also offers special grants for two young people every year. The ASTO handles applications for these, and they are usually awarded to people with a track record in sailing. You’ll need to be recommended and supported by a sponsor organisation.

The Trust asks for a full report from everyone who takes part. They love to receive a record of the voyage, hear your thoughts and feelings, and see photos from your trip.

How You Can Apply

Visit the James Myatt Trust website for more information and an application form.

For more information, contact the Trust Secretary at jan.gauntlett@talktalk.net.

Testimonials

“My exchange visit to Canada has been an unforgettable adventure! I am incredibly grateful to ASTO for organising this exchange and James Myatt Trust for their sponsorship. I had a fantastic time aboard the Tall Ship St Lawrence II, with thanks to all of the crew from Brigantine Inc. on the ship and the staff in the office. As ASTO allowed me to fly out earlier I had the opportunity to explore a little extra of Canada as well and completed my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Expedition, in Algonquin Provincial Park by Canoe which was fantastic.” – Sarah Asplin.

“I loved getting to grips with a new Ship – I wanted to know how everything worked and found myself inspired by all the new things around me; from different sails, to different ways of structuring the voyage, to different young people. All of the young people wanted to get the most out of their ten days – it was something they were really looking forward to! They were totally driven to learn and to take the lead and that’s what Spirit of New Zealand works to develop.” – Peta Koczy.