Awards and bursaries

Cordwainers’ Award

Open for applications

Applications close: 15th April 2026

Apply now
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About the Cordwainers’ Award

This Award supports a footwear maker for one year to develop their practice or business at Cockpit through subsidised shared studio space and business support. The Award is intended to support a maker whose work includes the design and making of footwear and who would benefit from time, space, and structured support to move their practice forward. 

The trustees recognise that contemporary footwear makers may also work across other leather crafts or related disciplines. While applicants may have a broader leather-based practice, the Award is particularly aimed at supporting someone for whom footwear and the skills of the making of footwear forms a meaningful and ongoing part of their work. 

The Award includes access to the Leather Hub at Cockpit Deptford. The Leather Hub has a hub manager responsible for maintenance of equipment, but there is no dedicated technician on site, and successful Awardees must undertake a training induction by the Hub Manager to use the space.  They should be confident in managing the technical aspects of their work themselves. Use of the onsite equipment must be integral to the case for support. 

What's Included?

  • Subsidised shared studio space for one year at Cockpit, with an anticipated start date between July and September 2026 
  • Business support including one-to-one coaching and workshops 
  • Selling and promotional opportunities, including two annual Cockpit Open Studios events 
  • Access to the Leather Hub, housing leather working equipment for shared use by Awardees. (Includes a Hot Foil Machine, Manual Leather Splitter with 300mm splitting width, Leather Skiver, Hydraulic Clicking Press, Edge Polisher, Guillotine, Embossing Machine, moveable work benches, and basic hand tools.) 
  • Financial contribution required by maker: £520 per year (approx. £43 per month) 

Who Can Apply?

  • A maker working in footwear or with footwear making skills as a significant element of their practice. 
  • Applicants may also work in other leather crafts or related disciplines but should be able to demonstrate a current footwear practice. 
  • Someone with a clear sense of what they want to develop through the Award, particularly in relation to their footwear work. 
  • A maker who demonstrates commitment, technical skill, and ambition to grow their practice or business. 
  • Please note: Applicants may apply for only one Award or Bursary per round. If you are unsure which opportunity is most suitable for your practice, please contact Kanny Morgan, Awards & Admissions Coordinator, at kanny@cockpitstudios.org.

About The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers

The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers is one of the City of London’s historic Livery Companies, with longstanding links to the craft of shoemaking and leatherworking. Through its charitable activities, the Company supports education, training, and excellence within footwear and related crafts, helping to sustain skills and innovation within the sector. 

How to Apply

Interviews for the Cordwainers’ Award will be held on 11 June 2026.

Cockpit is committed to inclusion, diversity, and equity in all our activities, recognising that creativity and innovation are fuelled by diversity. 

Read our full statement and see our aims here.  

We particularly encourage applications from those who are underrepresented in craft including non-graduates, disabled, D/deaf, and neurodiverse people, LGBTQ+ people, and people from Black, Asian, and Global Majority* backgrounds. We welcome applicants from a range of educational backgrounds and there is no minimum formal qualification for this programme. 

*Global Majority is a collective term that refers to people who are Black, Asian, dual-heritage, mixed-heritage, indigenous to the global South, and/or have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities’. 

As part of our commitment to increasing diversity, we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who meet Cockpit’s eligibility criteria, the award criteria, and identify as being from a Global Majority background and/or as D/deaf and/or disabled. This scheme recognises under-representation and that structural injustices mean that, currently, there is not a ‘level-playing field’ in our sector or society.  

If you identify as having one or more of these protected characteristics and meet the eligibility and award criteria, please indicate in your application that you would like to be considered under our guaranteed interview scheme.  

If you have any questions, check our FAQs page or contact us. 

About Awards & Bursaries at Cockpit

We encourage prospective applicants to attend an Awards Open Day to visit the studios, meet the Cockpit team, and find out more about our awards and bursaries. Attending is not essential to apply but can be a helpful way to understand whether Cockpit is the right environment for your practice. Book a place at our next Awards Open Day here. Booking is required and places are limited. 

All awards and bursaries at Cockpit include subsidised shared studio space, business support, and membership in a vibrant craft community, giving successful makers the space and time to develop their profile, grow their business or practice, and increase profitability. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit, creative excellence, and highly developed craft skills. 

Please note: 

  • You will be responsible for arranging and paying for your own public liability insurance (minimum £5m) and contents insurance before the start date. 
  • You need to be entitled to remain in the UK for the period of the Award. Cockpit is unable to sponsor or support visa applications. 
  • You must be committed to taking up the Award and staying for its duration, completing our Business Incubation programme for new joiners, as well as engaging with business support throughout your time at Cockpit. 
  • We may review your commitment to the Award annually by an interview process. 
  • At the end of your award period, you will be able to make an application and interview for a standard studio to stay on at Cockpit. 
Apply now
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