Awards and nominations

ARAD is a title awarded to those members who have become an Associate after passing their RAD Advanced 2 qualification. This does not confer professional status, and there are terms and conditions attached to the award.

The FRAD is awarded to members in recognition of a long period of outstanding service to both the RAD and the art of ballet.

The FI Chor. is given in recognition of a long period of outstanding service to the Benesh Institute and Benesh Movement Notation.

This is given to an individual who has, for many years, dedicated themselves over and above the call of duty to the RAD.

The QEII Award is presented in recognition of outstanding services to ballet. Established in 1953 by Dame Adeline Genée, among its recipients have been: Sir Frederick Ashton, Dame Marie Rambert DBE, Dame Ninette de Valois DBE, Gillian Lynne CBE, Sir Peter Wright CBE, The Royal Ballet, and Sir Matthew Bourne OBE.

These awards are not given by the RAD but may offer deserved recognition for people associated with us.

Honours lists are published twice a year. Anyone can be eligible for an award if they reach the required standard of merit or service, and anyone can nominate someone for an award. Nominations are handled by the Cabinet Office and are granted after the informal approval of The Queen.

• Honours nomination guidelines.

Founded in memory of Scottish teacher and examiner, Florrie Sinclair (a well known teacher and examiner among the global RAD community), this award is available to Scottish students who want to pursue a career in dance teaching or performance.

About Florrie Sinclair

Florrie was born and raised in Orkney and regularly travelled to the mainland to train at the Marjorie Middleton School in Edinburgh. She relocated to Singapore in the 1950s where she taught, examined, and worked for the RAD before returning to Scotland in the 1980s where she continued to teach freelance as well as travelling to examine around the world. Over the years she taught many eminent dancers and teachers. A great lover of roaming herself, the award has been set up to support all aspects of travel for young people studying dance at Vocational level in the UK.

Award details

The award offers a bursary up to £1500 to talented Scottish-born students who have been accepted or are studying at a vocational ballet or contemporary school in the UK. Applications open between May and June of each year with funding awarded in September of the applying year. The award should be used to fund travel and dance wear and uniform, travel expenses between home and school, term time travel between lodgings and school, and dance wear and uniform for regular classes.

The fund is administered by:

The Princes Exchange Foundation (SC030452)
Princes Exchange
1 Earl Grey Street
Edinburgh
EH3 9EE.

Application criteria

Applicants must:

• have been born in Scotland,
• have lived and trained in Scotland for a period of at least three years – having been trained by a RAD teacher working in Scotland,
• be aged 16 -21 years as of 31 August in the applying year,
• have attained RAD Advanced Foundation or above, and
• be attending, or haves been accepted, into one of the vocational schools as detailed in the application form.

Awarding criteria

Applicants must demonstrate a need for financial assistance, outstanding dance talent, and commitment to personal development. On-going support will be based on satisfactory reports from the school, and an update from the student each July.

How to apply

Complete the application form, found at the bottom of this page and include:

• a copy of the confirmation of acceptance of your place at your vocational school,
• two references (one should be from your RAD teacher), and
• two dance photographs of yourself.

The next chance to apply for this award will be in the summer of 2025, with details available in spring 2025.

Florrie Sinclair Memorial Award application form

This is given to an RAD teacher who has shown a remarkable dedication to promoting and fostering an inclusive dance community. They should also have worked to eliminate barriers, embrace diversity, and create a welcoming environment for all students.

This award celebrates an RAD teacher who has enriched their local community through dance-related activities. It acknowledges exceptional contributions in using dance as a tool for social interaction, empowerment, and positive change.

This award acknowledges an RAD teacher whose efforts have brought about a profound and positive change in the overall wellbeing of people through dance.

This award recognises an RAD teacher who has demonstrated exceptional creativity and forward thinking in their teaching methods, choreography, or for their contribution to the dance industry.