Gabo Trust Scholarship: Eligibility, Deadline & How to Apply

The Gabo Trust Scholarship is a prestigious and highly specialized award designed to support the next generation of conservators focused on modern and contemporary sculpture. It is offered in partnership with University College London (UCL) and specifically targets students enrolled in the two-year MSc in Conservation of Contemporary Art and Media.

If you have a passion for preserving the material and conceptual integrity of modern art, this scholarship provides a vital financial bridge to achieve your academic goals. The Gabo Trust aims to nurture experts who will address the unique challenges of conserving sculptures and media artworks for the future.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the application deadline is 23:59 BST, Friday 6 June 2025. This guide provides a comprehensive overview for prospective students, detailing the eligibility criteria, application process, scholarship benefits, and key deadlines to help you secure this critical funding.

This scholarship is exclusively tied to a single, renowned programme at one of the world's top universities. It is designed for students who have already secured a place on this specific course.

Gabo Trust Scholarship Awards

The Gabo Trust Scholarship provides significant financial support to reduce the tuition fee burden for two exceptional students—one from the UK and one from overseas—allowing them to focus on their intensive two-year master's programme.

The scholarship offers a direct contribution towards tuition fees, which is disbursed over the duration of the course. The support structure is as follows:

• For one Overseas Student: A contribution of £15,000 per year for two years towards tuition fees.

• For one UK Student: A contribution of £7,500 per year for two years towards tuition fees.

This award is a critical investment in your specialized training, covering a substantial portion of the programme costs.

Gabo Trust Scholarship Amount

The scholarship provides a direct financial contribution to be used against tuition fees. The total value depends on your fee status.

Gabo Trust Scholarship Benefits

Beyond the direct financial contribution, being a Gabo Trust Scholar connects you to a legacy of expertise in modern sculpture conservation.

The eligibility criteria for the Gabo Trust Scholarship are strict and must be met in full. A dedicated panel assesses applications based on these non-negotiable requirements.

The application process is straightforward but requires you to have already secured a place on the master's programme. You must apply for the MSc course and the scholarship separately.

1. Secure Your MSc Offer: First, you must apply for and receive an offer to study the MSc in Conservation of Contemporary Art and Media at UCL for 2025-26.
2. Prepare Your Documents: Gather all required documents, focusing on your financial need statement and your demonstrable interest in sculpture conservation.
3. Submit Scholarship Application: Once you have your programme offer, you can apply for the scholarship through the official UCL scholarships portal before the deadline.
4. Await the Decision: A dedicated UCL panel will review all eligible applications and notify successful candidates after the deadline.

Application Timeline for Gabo Trust Scholarship

Adhering to the timeline is critical, especially since the scholarship deadline falls before the general academic year start.

Gabo Trust Scholarship Interview

Based on the available information for the 2025-26 cycle, the Gabo Trust Scholarship does not typically involve a separate interview stage. The selection panel will make its decision based solely on the strength of your written application, your offer for the MSc programme, and your demonstrated financial need and interest in sculpture conservation.

The awards are offered based on:

• A proven commitment to the conservation of modern and contemporary scultpure and a desire to specialise in the conservation of modern and contemporary sculpture
• Financial need.

You will need to prepare a focused set of documents to support your scholarship application, demonstrating both your eligibility and your passion for the field.

• Proof of Programme Offer: A copy of your offer letter for the UCL MSc Conservation of Contemporary Art and Media.
• Financial Need Statement: A detailed statement outlining your financial circumstances and how they align with UCL's recognised indicators of need.
• Statement of Interest: A compelling essay or personal statement that demonstrates your commitment and specific interest in modern and contemporary sculpture conservation. This can be supported by a CV/portfolio.
• Academic Transcripts: Your most recent university transcripts and certificates.

FAQs about Gabo Trust Scholarship

Who is eligible for the Gabo Trust Scholarship?

You must have an offer for the UCL MSc in Conservation of Contemporary Art and Media, demonstrate a proven interest in sculpture conservation, and have a clear financial need as defined by UCL.

What does the Gabo Trust Scholarship cover?

It provides a contribution of £15,000 per year (for overseas students) or £7,500 per year (for UK students) towards your tuition fees for the two-year duration of the MSc programme.

Do I need to have an offer from UCL before applying?

Yes. Holding an offer for the specific MSc programme is a mandatory prerequisite for your scholarship application.

How is financial need assessed?

Financial need is assessed based on a range of factors UCL recognises, including having dependent children, disabilities, experience of the care system, receiving state benefits, or being a forced migrant (refugee or asylum seeker). You must detail your circumstances in your application.