Craft Central (used to be Clerkenwell Green Association) supports craftpeople in numerous ways. It offers business training, tailored mentoring, networking opportunities and studio space. The Work Experience Programme with CGA has two elements. One is to provide placements for individual students wishing to experience a variety of different craft/design areas first hand. The second is for visiting groups of students to spend a day around the workshops meeting craftspeople and designers and discussing their work and background. CGA financially supports craftspeople based in Camden, Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets in a number of ways. This includes the Clerkenwell Award to support newly trained craftspeople set up business; The Pennybank Showcase which includes a display and exhibition space, support and training and travelling showcases; Business Development support through in-house consultants, grants and IT resources; and a schools Work Experience Programme.

The Crafts Council's National Register of Makers provides the most comprehensive listing of contemporary craftspeople in Britain. Registration is free and open to any contemporary craftsperson living and working in Great Britain, who designs and makes their own work. Those working in illustration, fine art, painting, restoration, conservation, reproduction and sculpture are not eligible for inclusion. The Register is used by members of the public wanting to contact individual makers, as well as shops, galleries, designers and businesses looking for new work. As well as the Register, the Crafts Council manages a Development Award, business advice unit, reference library and desk, and the Photostore, which contains over 35,000 images of work for viewing by potential clients. The Register is non-selective; Photostore is selective. Development Award - Annual deadlines are 1 March, 1 June, 1 September and 1 November. Endeavours to support new creative practices in England and candidates must either be about to, or within three years of, setting up their first workshop. The grant is given in two parts; maintenance grant of GBP 2,500; equipment grant of 50% towards purchase and hire of essential equipment and tools, up to GBP 5,000. In deciding the level of grant, other grants received towards the setting up of business will be taken into account.

AHRC have a range of UK-wide programmes supporting the highest quality research and postgraduate training in the arts and humanities. From around 1500 applications to their seven Research schemes they make around 550-600 awards. From around 5500 applications to their Postgraduate schemes for funding people in Higher education they make around 1500 awards. In addition, AHRC manage on an agency basis for HEFCE (the Higher Education Funding Council for England) almost £10 million to fund museums, galleries and other collections in English HEIs (Higher Education Institutions).

The Big Lottery Fund will give out grants of up to GBP 50,000 over five years for projects that: offer people better chances in life, including being able to get better access to training and development to improve their life skills; build strong communities, with more active citizens, working together to tackle their problems; develop improved rural and urban environments, which communities are better able to access and enjoy; create healthier and more active people and communities. Minimum grant: GBP10,000 maximum: GBP 50,000

The Fund is committed to a grant-giving programme which supports work in the UK and internationally with people living on the margins. No demand-driven open grants rounds are currently envisaged, apart from a restricted amount of funding to be made available through an open grants process under the Refugee and Asylum Seekers Initiative.

Arts programme and application procedures to favour the visual arts and crafts over the performing arts. The priorities are expected to remain in this way until 2008. Although their focus is on developments outside of London, London-based organisations are still eligible to apply. One of their main focuses is on touring exhibitions and displays. Applications from individuals are not accepted. The Foundation will be taking a new approach to grant-making from January 2008, see new information on their website.

The main awards offered by The Jerwood Charitable Foundation include the Jerwood Painting Prize, Drawing Prize, Makers Award and the Moving Media Awards, as well as commissions and grants to artists. Most prizes are open to all UK-based artists of all ages.

Funding for ceramicists only, for training, including travel, conference attendance and the preparation of films and books. Deadline: 15 December each year

The Edward Marshall Trust was set up to promote the cutting edge of contemporary craft and design. The biennial awards are normally given towards the funding of progressive design for functional items, particularly furnishings. The scale of the project is of less importance than the ingenuity and quality of the idea. Visit their website for details of the requirements.

Scholarships are awarded to fund further study, training and practical experience for men and women who want to improve their craft or trade skills. There is no age limit, but you must be able to demonstrate an already developed high level of skill, and committment to your craft or trade. You must live and work in the UK to be eligible for a Scholarship. Not awarded for buying or leasing equipment or premises or for funding courses in general further education. Each Scholarship is worth between £2000 and £15,000. The Trust funds a huge range of modern and traditional crafts - a full list of previous winners' categories is on the website. Scholarships are awarded twice a year. You will need to explain clearly on the application form why the proposed training experience will improve your skills, and what you expect to achieve as a result. You also need to provide a careful estimate of the full cost of the training you would like to undertake. Information on application deadlines and forms are on the website, or send a 33p stamped addressed envelope to the above address for enquiries.

Candidates can be citizens of the UK, Commonwealth, Ireland or Israel or another EU country, provided they have been resident in the UK for three years. They should be living in the British Isles during the period of the application and be 24 years or over. The Scholarships are awarded to individuals of great potential and proven excellence. The Scholarships are to help with the cost of a specific projects which may last up to three years. Projects should be of 'intellectual, scientific, artistic, social or environmental value', they may be in craft but not in fine art. Candidates need to show why their project is unlikely to receive funding from major funding agencies. Average award is £6,000. For further details send A4 SAE or visit website.

The Arts Grants scheme is for arts activities or projects (by organisations or individuals) which are undertaken within the boundaries of the Royal Borough and demonstrate that they meet at least two of its strategic objectives. Also offer free funding surgeries. Deadlines three times a year, in 2010 * 5pm, Friday 21 May 2010, by 5pm, Friday 24 September 2010, by 5pm, Friday 21 January 2011