CMD Grants

Below are links to some sources of CMD funding from within the diocese, and from external trusts and charities. Ministers are encouraged to explore the options available to support them in their ongoing training and development.

Internal Grants

The Diocese of Chester offers a range of internal grants and funding opportunities to support clergy and licensed lay ministers in their continuing development. These can help finance training courses, conferences, retreats, sabbaticals, and other activities that help sustain and enhance ministry.

CMD Grants

CMD grants support the ongoing learning and development of clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers serving in the Diocese of Chester. Funding of up to £250 per year is available to help with the costs of training, retreats, conferences and residential study. As funds are limited, grants are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and applicants are encouraged to explore additional sources of funding where appropriate.

For further information click here.

Discretionary Fund

The Diocese of Chester's Discretionary Fund provides additional financial support for clergy undertaking substantial training, study, or development opportunities where costs exceed those covered by standard CMD grants. Applications are considered three times a year, with funding awarded according to the potential benefit to the individual, parish, diocese, and wider Church.

For further information click here.

Sabbatical Funding

Limited funding is available to support clergy sabbaticals, with grants of up to £300 available from the Diocese. Applicants may also be eligible for CMD grant funding and can receive advice on accessing additional external sources of funding where appropriate.

For further information click here.

External Grants and Funding

The Diocese of Chester encourages clergy to make use of the wide range of external grants and funding available to support ministry, learning, and personal development. Funding may be available for training courses, conferences, retreats, sabbaticals, further academic study, and other opportunities that contribute to growth in ministry and vocation. Possible sources of funding are listed below.

The Women's Continuing Ministerial Education Trust

The Women's Continuing Ministerial Education Trust (WCMET) exists to support the ministerial development of women in the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church. They administer the provision of grants to female clergy, female accredited lay workers and religious sister in England and Scotland in need of financial support for their continuing training.

For further information click here.

Ecclesiastical Ministry Bursary Awards

Grants are awarded annually for extended study leave. Entries for an award must fulfil the following criteria: Awards are open to individual clergy in the Anglican Church in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. All clergy applying for the awards must be in full-time stipendiary ministry in the Anglican Church and must have been ordained for at least 10 years. Applications are also open to Archdeacons, Bishops and Deans.

For further information click here.

Gladstone’s Library

Formerly known as St Deiniol's Library, Gladstone's Library is at Hawarden in North Wales, not far from Chester. The library offers its guests the possibility of individual reflection, as well as social interaction. With an evolving programme of courses and events, the priority is to build and nurture a wide network of writers and thinkers in order to maintain Gladstone’s legacy of engagement with social, moral and spiritual questions, helping people reflect more deeply on issues and ideas that concern them. The Library is a completely independent charity.

For further information click here.

St Boniface Trust

The Trust is a small charity established to advance the Christian Religion in accordance with the principles of the Anglican faith in all parts of the world, especially for the provision of education and training of clergy and lay people by the award of scholarships and maintenance allowance or any purpose concerning their spiritual or temporal welfare.

For further information click here.

St George's Trust

The Trust gives grants to Anglican clergy, ordinands and students. The awards are currently worth up to £350. Each year the Trustees set a budget for the total amount that can be awarded and distribution is made until the limit is reached. They therefore encourage application early in the calendar year.

For further information click here.

St Luke's College Foundation

The Foundation is a Church of England grant-making trust and the Foundation’s object is the advancement of further and higher education in Religious Education and Theology.

Grants are awarded to eligible individuals for research and taught postgraduate qualifications in these fields; and to eligible organisations for related initiatives and facilities.

For further information click here.

The Cleaver Ordination Candidates Fund

Offers book grants for ordinands, book grants and library subscriptions for clergy ordained for more than ten years, grants to clergy for sabbatical projects and postgraduate study.

For further information click here.