Since 2022, Craft Scotland has been entrusted with stewardship of the esteemed Inches Carr Craft Bursaries. Learn more about the history of the bursaries including Deirdre Inches and her husband Malcolm Carr whom the awards were established to commemorate. You can also discover the impact they have had on makers' practice in our article by Amanda Game.

The awards consist of two categories:

Inches Carr Craft Bursary: Established Maker: There will be two bursaries awarded in 2026, each for an amount of £5,000.

Inches Carr Craft Bursary: Emerging Maker: There will be four bursaries awarded in 2026, each for an amount of £2,000.

Please select the most appropriate bursary for you based on the Maker Criteria and Eligibility. You may only apply for one bursary at time of application, either Established or Emerging.

Eligibility

• Makers must be living and working in Scotland
• Makers who have previously been successful in receiving an Inches Carr Bursary (previously known as Inches Carr Awards) may only apply again for funds after a period of five years from the date they were successful
• Applicants should be a professional practicing maker. This will be evidence-based from the maker statement, CV and images provided
• Makers should be working in one or more of the accepted Craft Scotland disciplines
• All work should be the design of the maker and made by the maker (or small-batch production under their direct supervision)

About the Established Maker Bursary

These bursaries are for makers who have been practising professionally for five years or more and are looking to develop their practice through strategic research and skills development.

This could be through the learning of a new skill, the opportunity to attend a course that would significantly improve existing skills, or a residency to achieve these objectives.

About the Emerging Maker Bursary

These bursaries are for makers who have been practicing professionally for between one and five years.

The proposed activity may include: innovative investigation of processes and materials; exploration of aspects of developing a sustainable practice; development of work with the potential for commercial application; an apprenticeship or mentoring arrangement; further learning in the field of contemporary craft (not including formal college or university diploma or degree courses).

Application Pack & Guidance 

Full information about the programme, maker profile, and eligibility is available in the Application Pack & Guidance. We recommend reading through the information provided before applying. 

>>> Download the Application Pack & Guidance (Opens PDF)

Alternative formats: Application Pack & Guidance 

• Download a simplified version for screen readers (Downloads a Word document)
• Download a large font (24pt) version (Downloads a Word document)

How to apply

Applicants should apply through the Craft Scotland online application form.

Equal Opportunities & Access

We are committed to equality and opposed to all forms of unfair discrimination, and welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in the craft sector. Where required, we can offer additional non-financial access support to bursary awardees to enable you to take your projects through to completion.

Support with your application 

Please do get in touch if you are interested in this opportunity but feel there are barriers limiting your ability to apply and/or participate in the informal discussion element. Examples include, but are not limited to: 

• Accessibility 
• Travel 
• Slow internet

This application form is available in large and simplified word formats, and we are happy to accept video applications.  

If you require any assistance to complete your application, we can support scribing, which is where you can share your answers with someone who will fill out the form on your behalf.

Please contact us by Monday 10 of August to allow us time to assist you in advance of the closing date.

We are happy to answer any questions you might have about your application.

Contact the team via email hello@craftscotland.org. 

Deadline for applications is 5pm, Monday 31 August

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in October 2026.