The Fellowship
Support that opens doors
The Mann Foundation Fellowship is a selective one-year award for young people aged 11 to 18 in North East England who demonstrate commitment, character, resilience and potential.
What is the Fellowship?
The Fellowship is not a scholarship in the traditional sense. It is a tailored package of support — financial, relational and practical — designed around the individual young person and what they need to move forward.
Each Fellowship lasts for one year and is tailored to the individual Fellow. Support may be renewed following a review of the young person's engagement, attendance, effort, conduct and overall progress.
Fellowships are selective. They are awarded by the Foundation's trustees based on the young person's circumstances, their potential and the availability of resources. Not every nomination will result in a Fellowship, and support is not automatic.
Three forms of support
Financial support
We help with the practical costs that can hold a young person back — equipment, travel, training fees, competition entry, educational materials, kit and more. Every Fellowship is different; the financial support is matched to what the individual actually needs.
Mentoring
Every Fellow is connected with a mentor who believes in them. Our mentors offer guidance, encouragement and honest support — helping young people navigate challenges, build confidence and think about their future. Mentoring relationships are built on trust and consistency.
Access to networks
We open doors to opportunities, experiences and connections that many young people would never otherwise encounter. This might mean introductions to coaches, professionals or organisations — or simply access to environments where horizons are broadened and ambitions are encouraged.
Who is the Fellowship for?
The Fellowship is not awarded solely on sporting performance, academic results or competitive success. The Foundation looks at the whole person, including their:
- Commitment and effort
- Character and conduct
- Resilience in overcoming difficulties
- Engagement with education or training
- Reliability and personal responsibility
- Leadership potential
- Willingness to make positive use of the opportunities offered
- Likely benefit from the Fellowship
How the Foundation may help
Support is tailored to the needs, interests and circumstances of each young person. It may include:
- Sports club or programme membership fees
- Travel and participation costs
- Sports equipment, clothing and kit
- Coaching, tuition or specialist training
- Training camps, workshops and development programmes
- Mentoring and personal development support
- Leadership opportunities
- Educational encouragement and support
- Opportunities to learn about further education, university and future careers
- Activities that build confidence, resilience and independence
The Foundation does not simply provide unrestricted cash awards. It works with the Fellow, their family and the relevant school, club or organisation to understand the barrier and provide appropriate, accountable support.
A mutual commitment
The relationship is based on mutual commitment. In return for the Foundation's support, Fellows are expected to engage positively with their sport or activity, remain meaningfully involved in education or training, communicate reliably, treat others with respect and represent the Fellowship positively.
How it works
Nomination
A trusted adult who knows the young person well — a teacher, coach, youth worker or community leader — submits a nomination through this website.
Review
The Foundation's trustees review each nomination carefully, considering the young person's circumstances, potential and the support available.
Conversation
Where a nomination looks promising, we will have a conversation with the nominator and, where appropriate, the young person and their family.
Fellowship award
If a Fellowship is awarded, we work with the young person and their nominator to agree a tailored package of support — and the journey begins.
Know someone who should be considered?
If you work with young people and believe someone in your care would benefit from the Fellowship, we'd love to hear from you.