The Ernest Cook Trust is one of the UK’s leading outdoor learning charities. Rooted in the conservation and management of the countryside, the Trust actively encourages children and young people to learn from the land through hands-on outdoor learning opportunities on its estates and by offering grants.

Grant are open to registered charities, schools and not-for-profit organisations wishing to encourage young people’s interest either in the countryside and the environment, the arts (in the broadest sense), or in science, or aiming to raise levels of literacy and numeracy.

All applications are expected to link in with either the National Curriculum or with recognised qualifications.

Each year the  Trustees give around £1.8 million to support hundreds of educational projects throughout the UK. Click here to download a list showing a selection of recent grant recipients.

A large grants programme for awards of over £4,000 and a small grants programme for awards of under £4,000 operate throughout the year.

The Trust offers a wide-ranging programme of land-based learning for children and young people. Work which encourages or ensures the continuation of rural skills and crafts is of particular interest to the Trustees. Note! All applications are expected to link in with either the National Curriculum or with recognised qualifications. Grants are available for up to £4,000 (small) and over £4,000 (large) and operate throughout the year.