Need a little help?
Bursaries are available from the Royal Academy of Dance in 2025 to support applicants to the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition, from any country in the world.
Applications submitted using this form will be considered for the scheme. The closing date is Monday 14 April 2025.
Bursary Support for the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition 2025
Bursaries will be offered to up to 20 candidates with awards between £1,000 - £2,000.
Each bursary is designed to cover the participation fee for the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition. Bursaries higher than £1000 may also contribute to one or more of the following:
-
Equipment, costume, dance wear and other sundry costs
-
Costs of travel to and from the competition
We also have the opportunity for 10 UK based candidates to access free costume hire for the competition. We can only provide this opportunity to UK based candidates due to the company being UK based and unable to travel to Brazil. If you are a UK based candidate and would like to be considered for support with costume hire, please indicate this in the relevant question in the form.
USING YOUR BURSARY
Fee
Entry fee covered at source.
Stay
Accommodation costs for the competition.
Equipment
Equipment, costume, dance wear and other sundry costs.
Travel
Costs of travel to and from the competition.
Selection Criteria
We recommend that you discuss your intent to apply for a bursary with your RAD teacher before submitting it.
Applicants must have successfully passed their Advanced 2 (with Distinction) by 19 May 2025 (The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition closing date for candidate entries).
Applicants must be available to travel to compete in The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition, due to take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 11 October – 19 October 2025 inclusive.
Each bursary will be awarded on the basis of the selection panel’s judgement. Selections will be based solely on the evidence presented in this application form.
In section 2a of the application form, applicants should be able to demonstrate:
-
A strong commitment to self-development
-
Dedication to improving skills in dance and artistry
-
That they are highly motivated
-
That they are keen to succeed
-
Why you need this bursary in order to participate in the competition
In section 2b of the application form, applicants should explain how receiving a bursary would support them in applying for The Fonteyn. You do not have to disclose personal financial circumstances, but you should be able to describe how NOT having a bursary may affect the likelihood to be able to participate in the competition.
Selection Process
Decisions are made at the discretion of the RAD. The Academy’s choice of bursary recipient/s is final.
The bursary selection process will be administered by a panel formed of individuals associated with the RAD, and will have no link with either Dame Darcey Bussell DBE or the Examinations and Artistic Departments of the Royal Academy of Dance.
You may submit your application in your native language. If your submission is in a language that is not English, we ask if you are able to provide a translation using Google Translate.
Terms and Conditions
Bursary monies will be awarded once the successful applicant has passed all the eligibility criteria and has been accepted to participate in The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition 2025 it will not be possible to defer this bursary, although applicants are welcome to apply again in future years, regardless of the outcome of previous applications.
Bursary recipients will be expected to provide a handwritten letter of thanks in appreciation of the bursary. Please note that the RAD’s Development team may ask recipients to provide feedback or participate in autographing additional items as appropriate for bursary donors.
Bursary recipients will have their Fonteyn participation fee covered at source (i.e. the candidate will never have to pay the fee) and a cash payment for the remaining bursary (where applicable) will be made electronically to a bank account supplied by the applicant. We will request these details at the point of confirming the bursary, which will be by the end of April 2025.
In the event that you are awarded a cash bursary and you do not participate in the competition for any reason, the bursary amount must be returned in full to the RAD by 15 November 2025.
Apply for a bursary
An application submitted on this form will be considered for the bursary scheme. The closing date for bursary applications is Monday 14 April 2025. All applications must be received by that date to be considered for a bursary.