GMB Race Achievement Scholarship Programme

The GMB is in the process of developing a national scholarship program to equip GMB members from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds with the skills, tools and confidence to campaign and organise around race in their region and challenge race discrimination where they see it.

What is the GMB Race Achievement Scholarship Programme (GRASP)?

GRASP is a GMB positive action initiative developed to respond to the Dr Elizabeth Henry Report 2003, Recommendation 6:

"A positive action programme that includes expanding and promoting opportunities for black and minority ethnic groups to participate at all levels of the GMB. May involve, shadowing, mentoring and support training, proactive consultation with black and minority ethnic groups to understand needs and barriers faced in becoming members and/or activists. Sets targets for inclusion, monitors, and reports progress."

Aim

The aim of the course is to train and develop Black Asian and minority ethnic activists to become highly competent and effective workplace leaders by:

• Equipping them with and enhancing their natural leadership, organising and campaigning skills
• Increasing their awareness and understanding of how to tackle racism in the workplace collectively
• Transforming them into active and effective GMB Race Ambassadors* with the ability to organise and campaign across different industrial sectors
• Building a comprehensive understanding of GMB organisational structures, principles and policies to enable them to confidently access opportunities within the GMB lay and employment structure.

Selection Criteria and Application Process

To be considered eligible for GRASP, participants must:

• Be a member of the GMB
• Have lived experience of being from Black, Asian or minority ethnic groups prone to colour prejudice and racism and that have historically and systematically been underrepresented.
• Have a good understanding of race issues in the workplace, evidence of raising issues on race or experience of fighting for race equality.

Course Structure

• 6 months (subject to change) paid release
• Class-based learning
• Shadow placements within GMB
• Fieldwork based in workplaces
• Collaborative working with regional GMB teams

Those applying must commit to participating in the entire course.

The application window to be part of the 2026 GRASP cohort is now open, and will close on the 5th December 2025 at 12 noon.

To support our members with the application process, we have arranged a GRASP Programme Q&A on 10 November for prospective applicants who would like more clarity before applying.We will be running two sessions, and members are welcome to attend one of the sessions:

• 12:30 pm session – register here: Link
• 5:30 pm session – register here: Link

If there's any issues registering for the session, please reach out to Rimil at rimil.hembrom@gmb.org.uk

Interested applicants should contact their region for support with the application, as a letter will need to be sent to their employer in advance of applying. Applicants should notify their employer as early as possible, as some employers may use lack of notice as a reason to deny successful applicants the opportunity to be seconded. Applicants should also inform their Branch Secretary once they have applied for the programme.