The King's Trust — Development Awards

What it is

A personal development grant for individuals aged 16–30, not business funding — small awards of £10 up to £500 (average £200) covering course fees up to level 3, tools, equipment, uniforms, interview clothes, job licence fees (DBS/CSCS/SIA), transport until first pay, childcare or technology needed to start a course, job or volunteering placement. Explicitly excludes business start-up costs (the Trust's Enterprise programme covers that), living expenses and costs already paid; awards are paid directly to the retailer or supplier and applications take 6–8 weeks.

Verified 2026-08-21 on kingstrust.org.uk/how-we-can-help/free-funding-to-train-or-start-work (live fetch): £10–£500, average award £200, rolling, ages 16–30 across the UK. Funder conditions the engine cannot express: 16–17s must be out of compulsory education; 18–30s must work under 16 hours/week or be in education under 14 hours/week; applicant must have secured an interview, job, college place or volunteering placement and face a financial barrier to it; awards are 'available only in certain UK locations' (varies by area — confirm with the local office); paid direct to supplier, never reimbursed retrospectively. candidateAge is used here for the applicant's own age.