Welcome to the Vaughan Williams Foundation – one of the foremost sources of funding for recent and contemporary music in the UK
The Vaughan Williams Foundation is a grant-giving charity which upholds the values and vision of the celebrated composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and his wife Ursula Vaughan Williams.
Our principal aims are to honour RVW’s desire to support his fellow composers, and to help make his own work widely accessible to the general public.
VWF was founded in 2022, 150 years after the composer’s birth, and brings together the two charities originally set up by Ralph (RVW Trust) and Ursula (Vaughan Williams Charitable Trust).
FUNDING
Vaughan Williams Scholarships
Congratulations to our four new Vaughan Williams Scholars who have just been announced.
The Vaughan Williams Scholarships of £8,000 each are awarded to applicants who demonstrate exceptional compositional talent and who are intending to make composition their professional career. Scholarships are awarded towards the costs of study of a taught Masters course or PhD in composition at UK universities or conservatoires.
Applications for 2026 will open in December 2025
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General Funding
VWF supports the work, performance and recording of British/Irish composers from the last 100 years; as well as projects which further the knowledge and understanding of the life and music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, and of the work of Ursula Vaughan Williams.
Applications are now open. Ensembles, organisations and individuals are welcome to apply.
The Foundation also offers annual funding for postgraduate composition students.
RVW
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) is one of the greatest of British composers whose music, generosity and vision for community music making, continue to impact British musical life.
Find out more about the composer and explore our extensive archive of letters and photographs and catalogue of published works.
READ THE LATEST
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“Big Ben’s chimes and a busker’s harmonica break through the urban bustle” – Vaughan Williams’ A London Symphony will be performed at the #BBCProms on September 7, by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with violinist Arabella Steinbacher, conducted by Vasily Petrenko.
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How would you describe Vaughan Williams’ compositions? 🎼
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Composer Anthony Payne on Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 6…
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Our next funding application deadline is approaching!
Details here 👉 https://vaughanwilliamsfoundation.org/funding/
Vaughan Williams Foundation
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Discover a wealth of material relating to the life and works of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams via our website – link in profile.
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We are absolutely delighted to announce that the VWF has three new trustees!
A warm welcome to Sam Wigglesworth, Director of Performance Music at Faber Music, Harriet Wybor, General Manager at the Royal Philharmonic Society, and composer, pianist & conductor Raymond Yiu 👏
Villiers Quartet
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A special thanks to the Friends of Ailsa Dixon and the @VWFndn for their support of our recording out today. The story of @musicailsadixon adds to the rich tapestry of British music which we are proud to share:
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💻 Find out more about the life of Ralph Vaughan Williams via our website
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A rather lovely description of RVW’s Lark Ascending – From a BBC article about pieces of music to relax to 🎶
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Vaughan Williams Foundation
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We support the work of professional composers, and work which furthers the knowledge and understanding of the life and music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, and of the work of Ursula Vaughan Williams.
Our next general funding application deadline is approaching!
THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Featured Letter
Get to know the man and his music
RVW’s wide-ranging correspondence – with family, pupils, fellow composers, conductors and performers – paints an intriguing portrait of the man, as well as providing fascinating insights into his major preoccupations: musical, personal and political.
Our searchable database includes over 5000 annotated transcriptions of his correspondence all available to read online.
Letter of the Day
Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to G.E. Moore
Letter No.: VWL2326
The White Gates,
Dorking.
[13th October 1947]
My dear Moore
I was delighted & surprized to get your good wishes for my birthday1 – It carries me back to old days when you used to sing “Adelaide” & play Beethoven sonatas.
Yrs
R. Vaughan Williams
1. VW’s 75th birthday on 12th October. Moore sent messages on for VW’s 80th and 85th birthdays, the latter being acknowledged in almost exactly similar terms – see VWL3582.
