The Scout Youth Foundation (SYF) is a charitable fund set up to help make scouting available to all. In addition to providing inclusion funding for Groups, the SYF provides scholarships for financially disadvantaged youth to attend Jamboree, National Schools or Regatta. Scholarships are available for Scout section (age 10 to 14 – Brian Cunningham Scholarships) and for Venturers (Jenny Rodgers Scholarships). Scholarships are not available for Walsh or for overseas events.


Approximately 25 scholarships will be available for National Schools/ Jamboree in 2023/24. The maximum individual grant will be 60% of the total costs of attendance (in exceptional circumstances a higher grant may be considered). Applications can be made by the Group Leader, either via the national school or Jamboree director or directly by the Group Leader to SYF.

We particularly encourage applications for individuals from Groups in Inclusion funding categories 7-10. Scholarships will focus on creating an opportunity for youth whose financial circumstances would usually preclude their attendance at a national event.

Click here to download an application form.

Funding beyond national events
In this post-Covid period, we know that many young people and their families face significant hardship. While some Groups are able to support young people into Scouting from their own resources, others are not. 

If SYF funds are available, a limited number of scholarships may also be available in situations of extreme hardship to support current or potential youth members for their day to day scouting activities in all sections, including uniform.

We welcome proposals for supporting new entrants into Scouting.  Group or Zone leaders can contact us on [email protected] to express interest in this option.