Maritime Bursaries

In 2026, IMT was delighted to award seven bursaries of between £1000 and £2000 to young people from our local community. These awards were made possible thanks to the generous support of the family of the late Captain David Ingham, the Felixstowe Master Mariners, and the National Heritage Lottery.

We spread the word far and wide and were thrilled to receive many strong applications. It was inspiring to see how many young people in our county are passionate about the maritime world. The 2026 bursaries went to:

A traditional boatbuilder from Ipswich, supporting the purchase of tools and training (the Captain David Ingham Bursary for young people working in maritime trades).
A Thames sailing barge mate, helping him complete work-related training courses.
A trainee boatbuilder, contributing towards her course fees and essential tools.
The youngest ever crew member of the Clipper Round the World Race, supporting prerace training.
A Sea Scout leader, funding RYA courses to help her develop skills she can pass on to young Sea Scouts.
A neurodiverse young person undertaking RYA training for personal growth and potential future career options.
Six students from Ipswich Academy, giving them the chance to experience a sailtraining voyage.

We’re now looking for sponsors to help make Ipswich Maritime Trust bursaries an annual opportunity for local young people. Please contact us if you would like to sponsor a maritime bursary for local young people between the ages of 16 and 25 years old.