Vocational Bursaries:
Who can apply?
Students are eligible to apply if they are:
- Attending a UK college (subject to the college’s agreement).
- Have a household income below £30,000.
- Have a parent or spouse who is employed as a grocer, pharmacist or commercial traveller, and has been employed in this capacity for at least five years.
- Applicants who are employed themselves in one of these professions and have been for at least five years are also eligible — this typically applies to those aged 21 or over, due to the length of employment required.
How much can I be awarded?
Successful vocational applicants are awarded £1,000 per year.
When does the round open and close?
The vocational round opens on 1 June and closes on 15 November 5pm.
Can international students apply?
No – unfortunately we can only support UK residents.
Can I apply if my parent is employed in another country?
No – we only support those who have worked in the UK as a pharmacist, grocer or commercial traveller.
What can I use the money for?
You can use the funds for any course related costs including travel, study materials, accommodation, childcare, food, tuition fees and exam fees etc.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Bursaries:
Who can apply?
Students are eligible to apply if they are:
- Attending a UK university (or an institution providing a degree validated by a UK university).
- Have a household income below £90,000 (with priority given to those below £50,000).
- Have a parent or spouse who is employed as a grocer, pharmacist or commercial traveller, and has been employed in this capacity for at least five years.
- Applicants who are employed themselves in one of our eligible roles for at least five years can also apply.
How much can I be awarded?
- Successful undergraduate applicants may be awarded between £500 and £3,000 per year.
- Successful postgraduate applicants may be awarded between £1,000 and £5,000 per year.
When does the round open and close?
- Postgraduate round opens on 1 June and closes 1 September.
- Undergraduate October round opens on 1 August and closes 15 October.
- Undergraduate March round opens 1 January and closes 1 March (for those already enrolled on a university course who missed the October round from the previous year).
Can international students apply?
No – unfortunately we can only support UK residents.
Can I apply if my parent is employed in another country?
No – we only support those who have worked in the UK as a pharmacist, grocer or commercial traveller.
What can I use the money for?
You can use the funds for tuition and examination fees, travel costs, study materials, accommodation, childcare costs, etc.
Pharmacy School Essentials Grant (SEG) - run by GroceryAid:
Who can apply?
To apply for a Pharmacy School Essentials Grant, you must:
- Be employed as a GPhC registered pharmacist or pharmacy technician or work in a community pharmacy, e.g. Pharmacy Dispenser, Cashier etc. and have been for the last six months.
- Have school-age children (aged 4-18 as of 31 August 2026).
- Be in receipt of Universal Credit / Child Tax Credit.
- Have less than £4,000 in household savings/balances.
How much can I be awarded?
Applicants can be awarded £150 per school-age child, up to three children (up to £450).
When does the round open?
Summer 2026 - TBC
What can I use the money for?
You can use the funds for school uniform, winter coats, school shoes, book bags etc.
Is there a Schools Essentials Grant for grocers?
Yes, there is School Essentials Grant for grocers, and it is completely run and managed by GroceryAid. You can keep up to date with their grant and application details on the GroceryAid website.
Definitions:
What do you mean by ‘grocer’?
A grocer is someone who is directly involved in the selling or handling of food and works within the grocery industry, for example, in a supermarket (e.g. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, etc.), wholesaler (Cash and Carry), manufacturer, supplier, convenience store, independent grocer, petrol forecourt store, or service provider to the grocery industry.
- We also support businesses in the foodservice wholesale sector, which supply food and non-food items to the catering industry, such as restaurants, cafés, hotels, and other food establishments.
- Roles based at head offices or in administrative, managerial, or support functions do not meet the eligibility criteria.
What do you mean by ‘someone who works in a community pharmacy or who works as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician’?
This includes the following:
- Pharmacist – who is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), who sells or dispenses medicines directly to the public.
- Pharmacy Technician – who prepares and dispenses prescriptions under the supervision of a pharmacist and are also registered with the GPhC.
- Pharmacy Dispenser – who supports a registered Pharmacist with the preparation and dispensing of prescription medications.
- Pharmacy Assistant – who updates patient files, helps answer customer questions, and assisting customers with purchasing their prescriptions.
- Counter Assistant – who offers information and advice to customers and re-stock shelves and keep displays clean and tidy.
- All GPhC registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who work in any setting.
What do you mean by ‘commercial traveller’?
- A commercial traveller is the representative, agent or principal of any manufacturer, industrial or commercial firm or company, or wholesale dealers selling to industry or commerce, but not direct to the public.
- Who works in the UK and has travelled for 5 consecutive years and for a total of at least 6 months in each of those years, for the purposes of securing orders and/or promoting business.
Why is this the eligibility criteria?
Our eligibility criteria are based on the wishes of Lord Leverhulme, who founded the charity. In his will, he expressed a desire to give back to the communities that supported him throughout his career—specifically grocers, pharmacists, and commercial travellers. For this reason, the charity was established to provide bursaries to the families of these three trades, helping them access education and the opportunities it provides.