The Howard Fund

What it is, how AYRS will use it, and how you can apply for a grant

In April 2005, Mr Donald Howard, a member of the AYRS, died, and having no family, left his estate to be divided amongst a number of charities, one of which was the Amateur Yacht Research Society. Of his residual estate, we were left  some £42000, with the instruction that the Committee use the money to provide funds as grants to members for further development of their practical ideas.

How will we distribute the money?

We have decided that we will distribute about £5000 each year, which means we can go on for about nine years. This will usually be a number of small awards.

We have also decided that:
a) The projects have to be practical (as Mr Howard required);
b) The projects have to further nautical science or knowledge of nautical science (to be in keeping with the objectives of AYRS)
c) Grants will be awarded on merit and according to need, after review by the Committee and any panel of experts they may appoint.

Only paid-up members of AYRS are eligible. Needless to say, neither the members of the Committee nor their family and close associates, nor anyone else involved with the decision process will be eligible to apply.

How to apply

Applications for grants need to include:

  1. Name and address of the applicant
  2. Details of the project, (suitable for publication), containing:
  1. A description of the project as a whole
  2. Its contribution to nautical science
  3. Progress so far
  4. What the money requested will achieve

Applications should be sent to our Chairman who will distribute them to our committee and officers – the contact details are  here

Final decision on awards will be made at one of the meetings of our committee, these meetings being held approximately every three months.

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