BST History

The BST is a registered charity which awards scholarships to deserving postgraduate students from the former Yugoslav countries for short periods of study in the United Kingdom. The funds for the grants come from investment income. The Trust's resources are limited and grants consequently modest, but students can be expected to live reasonably comfortably on the grant.

The Trust was established after the First World War following an appeal to the British people to help educate young people from Serbia. The generous donations were invested in equities (shares) and gilts (bonds) in the London stock market. Between the two world wars, the scholarships were extended to cover the whole of Yugoslavia. The income (dividends and interest) is used to support young people from former Yugoslavia for specialist education in the United Kingdom.

The Trust is a registered charity and its affairs are governed by the regulations of the Charity Commission. The Trust is managed by seven trustees: a chairman, a treasurer and five members. The services of the trustees are voluntary.

©This website was authored by D.C. Thomas on behalf of BST and last updated on 15/03/2010. Click here to return to the top of the page.