The Franklin Grants
for Professional Development

The Educators’ Trust

The Trust’s Professional Development Grants are named for the Foundation Master of the Worshipful Company of Educators, Professor Raoul Franklin CBE FREng (1935–2021).

From its foundation Professor Franklin was an active supporter of the Trust and he has left a legacy that enables us to substantially increase the monetary value of our awards and grants.

We are grateful to the family for their support in naming our grants in his honour.

Professor Franklin was Vice-Chancellor of City University for twenty years and an Honorary Fellow of Keble College, Oxford. Obituaries from those institutions are available here: City University, Keble College.

Grants are made available at least annually. Details will appear here so please check back regularly if you or a colleague may be interested.

Applications for Franklin Grants are currently open.

Applications are invited from educators with at least 3 years’ recent working experience, resident in the United Kingdom, who wish to broaden their professional skills. These grants are intended to provide short-duration assistance to practitioners to undertake activities that increase their effectiveness and proficiency and contribute to education more generally.

Applicants can come from any sector of education and training, from early years to lifelong learning, including those who are employed full-time, part-time or are self-employed.

The deadline for the receipt of applications is 24 November 2024.

Applicants should complete and submit a grant application form. Guidance for completion can be downloaded HERE and the application form HERE (pdf) and HERE (docx)

The impact of Franklin Grants.

Here are just some examples of the responses we have received from those who completed their projects in August 2024, and that accompanied the report of their activities…

“I would like to thank the Franklin Grants Scheme for the generosity of their grant, enabling me to conduct research on 'Enhancing Parental Engagement in Education Through Digital Platforms: A Study of the Seesaw Online Platform' towards a professional course. The grant has greatly benefitted the research I was able to conduct on behalf of my school. I am also looking forward to using it in the upcoming academic year to enhance the use of digital technology for effective parental engagement. “

Director of Teaching and learning, Middle School, Central England

“The Franklin Grant has rejuvenated my teaching practices and been a life raft of funding that has offered me the privilege of time and contemplation alongside working and learning from Artists and industry peers. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities afforded to me by The Educator’s Trust and the fundamental impact it has had on my work and values as an Artist.”

Freelance Arts Educator, London

“Thank you for awarding me funds from the Franklin Grant scheme, with this I completed a two-day ITC Level 3 Award in Outdoor First Aid. As an education practitioner, it was an exciting opportunity in my career development and a great chance to broaden my professional skills. “

(Primary Education Officer, University)

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the company for this award as the programme have been hugely beneficial to my leadership practice and the students. “

(Assistant Headteacher, London school)

“Thank you very much for supporting my professional development with this grant. These courses have already proven highly valuable in my current role (and) enhanced my ability to communicate more effectively with management, manage complex timelines, and deliver projects with greater impact. My improved skills in writing business cases, product descriptions, and project plans have strengthened my communication with stakeholders, building confidence among funders and encouraging further investment.”

(Secondary Education Officer, University.)