Scholarship Fund | UK | Explora Foundation

THE EXPLORA SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The Explora Scholarship Fund (ESF) is both a registered charity (number 1152232) and a Charitable Company (number 08381653). Its main object is to advance education by providing funds, and facilitating the establishment of scholarships in further or higher education, for the dependents of severely injured (physically or mentally) and deceased members of the UK Armed Forces, UK Security Services, Fire Service, Ambulance Service and Police Service who were in Government Service when killed or injured. The ESF became a full member of The Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO) in February 2015 and signed the M.O.D. Armed Forces Covenant in 2018.

SCOPE

The ESF will disburse scholarship Funds can be granted for up to four year's study for any one individual. The charity’s objects (‘Objects’) are specifically restricted to the following: (1) To advance education in particular but not exclusively by providing online courses, such as Cyber Security and other appropriate courses. By providing funds and facilitating the establishment of scholarships in lower or higher education for the dependents of severely wounded and deceased Armed Forces, Security Services, Fire Services, Ambulance Services and Police Services personnel, who were in Government Service when killed or injured. In circumstances as determined by the trustees, to facilitate Armed Forces, Security Services, Fire Services, Ambulance Services, and Police Services personnel who may be retired and are sufficiently physically and/or mentally fit for any such educational courses as determined by the appropriate medical release. (2) To provide financial assistance for the purposes of supporting the lower or higher education of the dependents of severely wounded and deceased or retired Armed Forces, Security Services, Fire Services, Ambulance Services, and Police Services personnel who were in Government Service at the time of injury or death. In circumstances as determined by the trustees, to facilitate Armed Forces, Security Services, Fire Services, Ambulance Services and Police Services personnel who may be retired and are sufficiently physically and/or mentally fit for any such educational course as determined by the appropriate medical release. 3) Such other purposes as are exclusively charitable in accordance with the laws of England and Wales as the trustees may from time to time determine.

DEPENDENT

This includes spouse, children, legally dependent partners, and other family members who are, or were, directly dependent upon the income of the killed or injured member of the UK Armed Forces or UK Security Services.

VALUE

The maximum award will be up to £15,000 per year.

RECENT SCHOLAR

Captain David Henson MBE Royal Engineers, was awarded the ESF's first scholarship in 2013 to follow an MSc course in biomedical engineering at the new Royal British Legion Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College, London. When leading a Royal Engineers search team in Afghanistan in 2011, Dave lost both of his legs above the knee when he triggered an improvised explosive device during a compound search. During the MSc course, he conducted research into the development of more advanced prostheses with an aim to allow leg amputees to take part in more dynamic sports such as basketball and tennis.

Following his PhD, David continued in employment at Imperial College, taking up the post of Business Development Engineer and work on the strategic development of the prosthetics and amputation related research, with a specific focus on provision and service development for low- and middle-income countries, conflict and post-conflict areas. David was subsequently appointed as a Trustee to the Explora Scholarship Fund.

In 2014, Dave captained the UK Armed Forces team in the Invictus (Unconquered) Games in London where he won gold in the 200 metres and Gold with the Volleyball Team. In 2016 he won gold in the 200 metres at the games in Orlando USA. The Games, being an international event for wounded and disabled service men and women, were championed by HRH Prince Harry and brought together over 400 competitors from the Armed Forces of 13 nations that had served alongside each other. He also achieved a Bronze Medal in the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Dave became a Trustee of the ESF in December 2014.

APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT

Applications must be made to the Explora Scholarship Fund (ESF) at the address shown on this website. The Secretary General of the ESF, or an appointed representative, will advise potential applicants on their eligibility and application requirements.
The ESF will normally involve an appropriate Armed Forces, Security, Police, Ambulance or Fire welfare charity to assist in the verification process.
The Secretary General ESF, or appointed representative, together with the Further or Higher Education establishment, will assess applicants to determine eligibility and academic qualifications prior to submission to the ESF Selection Committee.
The ESF Board of Trustees is the final authority for all award decisions and there may be no award in any year if there are no suitable candidates.

OPERATION OF SCHOLARSHIPS

Once a scholarship or educational course is awarded, there is an expectation of success. If any year or stage is failed, or the course of study is changed without the prior approval of the ESF, scholarship funding will be suspended and could be withdrawn.
Payment of the scholarship will be determined with the individual student and the education establishment involved, but it will normally be paid in advance at the beginning of each term, either to the student or to the university or authorised educational establishment of study.
Each successive year of scholarship funding will only be released after receipt of the report on progress from the students course supervisor or academic director, with confirmation that the next year of the course is as originally planned or that there is a prior agreement to any change in the course together with a proper explanation.
Students where applicable (Scholars) will be required to share the intellectual property rights (IPR) of any research undertaken with the Explora Foundation. This is to ensure that the Foundation and the wider community are able to benefit from the results of the research.
Scholars will be expected to undertake an internship each year during the period of study and the ESF is able to facilitate placement if necessary. All internships must be agreed and approved by the ESF.
In the case of Scholars they will be expected to take part in publicity activities associated with their scholarship, with at least their names and courses being listed on the ESF website. There would also be a need for further marketing and public relations work to increase awareness and demonstrate the value of the scholarships.
The ESF may seek partnerships, which would be subject to a joint agreement, in funding a scholarship and scholars will be required to recognise such partnerships.

US AND CANADA

It is planned to establish, in due course, separate Scholarship Funds and Courses in the United States and Canada in accordance with charitable legislation applicable in each country. When registered, there will be separate web pages for the UK, US and Canada so that applicants can be clear on the eligibility requirements based on their respective residency status. The eligibility requirements for the US and Canada will follow the same ethos but will be tailored to meet national requirements under their respective charity laws.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES MARMENT

Jamie Marment was commissioned into The Royal Artillery in 1974 spending most of his service career in Northern Germany during "The Cold War" and on operations in Northern Ireland where he was Mentioned-in-Dispatches twice. He instructed at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and The Army Staff College before commanding 40th Regiment (The Lowland Gunners) Royal Artillery; he left the Army in 1997. In commercial life, his second career has been mainly in the Defence and Security sector where he has helped to build a series of successful privately owned companies. A supporter of several Charities he personally has raised significant amounts of money for good causes. He has been a Member of: The Royal Artillery Charitable Fund since 2006, The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals since 2007 and is a member of the founding five that created the Explora Foundation in 2011.