Applications for the RPS Julius Isserlis Scholarship are now open and will close at 11am on Tuesday 11 March 2025. If you would like this information in a different format for accessibility reasons, please call us on 020 7287 0019 or use our online contact form by clicking this link, and we will do our best to help. To discover more about the musicians we have supported previously, visit our webpage here.

The Scholarship has helped countless musicians in many different ways over the years. Percussionist Rebecca Burch travelled to Ghana to collaborate with local musicians and learn indigenous repertoire, and trumpeter Imogen Whitehead flew to Oslo for an intensive spell of lessons and masterclasses with Norway’s top players. Clarinettist Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson has undertaken postgraduate study at The Juilliard School in New York City, USA, and violist Hiroki Kasai is currently taking lessons with the renowned musician Nobuko Imai at the Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia in Madrid.

The funds making this possible were generously bequeathed to the RPS by Cecilia Helen Northcote to us some decades ago, and at her wish is dedicated to the inspirational Russian pianist, composer and teacher Julius Isserlis.

What does the RPS offer?

This year, we expect to offer a total of £30,000 from the RPS Julius Isserlis Scholarship to young instrumentalists and vocalists to study abroad for up to two years. This will be split between a number of musicians, as decided by the panel. Typical grants can range from as little as £500 up to £10,000.

Who is it open to?

All classical instrumentalists and vocalists of any nationality between the ages of 15 and 25, who are permanently resident in the UK. In the application form, you will asked to confirm your age as it will be on the closing date. This fund is for musicians resident in the UK wishing to study overseas. We are unable to accept applications to fund study within the UK.

We hope the prospect of such funding encourages you to think imaginatively about what musical development you could pursue overseas. Funds granted can only be given for plans agreed with the RPS, but we appreciate that in these circumstances some modification to these may prove necessary as things progress. We don’t want current circumstances to deter you from applying and encourage you to contact us should you have any queries or issues regarding this.

We are continually striving to address how we can minimise barriers to the widest possible range of applicants and are proud to have adopted Sound and Music's Fair Access Principles. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented demographics, such as those who are Black, Asian and ethnically diverse, or those who are disabled. If you feel that any part of our offer - or the experience in applying for it - could inhibit any such person from applying, please do let us know (contact details below) and we will be happy to address this.

What does it cost?

There is no entry fee so it is free for eligible candidates to apply. If you are shortlisted for audition in London, you would need to cover your own travel expenses and the cost of an accompanist should you need one.