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Grantfinder is the UK’s largest and most comprehensively supported database of its type.  For more information or to arrange a demonstration please call 01909 501200.

Whilst the majority of the funding opportunities are from the Grantfinder database we are now also providing details of other funding opportunities.

The DG Enterprise & Industry has published a Call for Proposals inviting universities, schools, training providers, local authorities and others to put forward proposals to develop entrepreneurship education.

The Call will support transnational projects with European added value in the field of education for entrepreneurship, with a special focus on supporting teachers. Proposed projects should target teachers and young people in primary, secondary and tertiary education.

Projects should focus on one of the following priority areas (or lots):

Lot 1

• A) Creating trans-European models for primary and secondary school teachers to support the development of their skills and methods in applying entrepreneurial learning to different teaching subjects and to different contexts. (Project duration three years.)
• B) Developing, organising and executing cross-European training/education workshops for teachers of entrepreneurship at institutions of higher education – universities, colleges, business schools, universities of applied sciences and so on. (Project duration three years.)

Lot 2

• Creating a European online platform for teachers/educators to enable the cross-border exchange of good practice, methods and teaching materials in the field of entrepreneurship education. (Project duration 2 years.)

Lot 3

• Developing and testing a European common framework of tools and indicators to assess entrepreneurial mindsets, attitudes and skills acquired by students in entrepreneurship education. (Project duration 18 months.)

Applicants will need to indicate which ‘Lot’ they are applying for, as project proposals will be subject to different rules in terms of duration and maximum EU co-financing depending on the target priority. The maximum EU co-financing rate for all projects is 60%, with a ceiling of €500,000 for Lot 1, €400,000 for Lot 2 and €250,000 for Lot 3. A total of €2,450,000 is available and it is anticipated that between four and eight projects will be supported depending on the size and quality of proposals received.

The deadline for submissions is 16 April 2012.

4. Regional WorldSkills “Have a Go”

The Barnfield Federation (College and Academies) are managing a small fund to support the ‘Have a Go’ activities in the Luton and Bedfordshire area.

You are invited to submit an application to access some of these monies in order to run ‘taster’ activities within your own organisation or at other partner establishments.

WHAT ARE THEY?

The WorldSkills London 2011 ‘Have a Go’ events will give people a ‘bite-size’ taster of a new skill, trade or profession, helping to ignite their passion to learn, and provide the information they need to enhance their career options. This is a great opportunity for schools, colleges, providers and community groups to get involved – by delivering innovative and appealing ‘Have a Go’ activities to amaze, inspire learners and local communities.

WorldSkills London 2011 ‘Have a Go’ ‘tasters’ will take place around the UK throughout 2011 and up to 24th February 2012 – giving organisations the opportunity to run events to suit their timetable or to fit in with other initiatives – such as recruitment events, parents evenings or other events designed to promote skills and the vocational education route for young people and adults.

The aim is to create around 4,000 opportunities for people in our area, to ‘Have a Go’ at a new skill. It can be used to support schools, colleges, providers and community groups to provide ‘Have a Go’ activities that build on and complement the recent very successful WorldSkills London 2011 event. This is for a range of participants including European Social Fund disadvantaged groups e.g. NEETs, unemployed adults etc. These activities will also provide a legacy for future activities to promote skills developments. �
Activities will be:

• Attractive to a range of ages and abilities of individuals including NEETs, unemployed adults, lone parents and other disadvantaged individuals
• High quality and varied opportunities
• Adding value to the organisations’ skills promotions
• Engaging key local players in providing opportunities
• Involving local partners in trying out new skills
• Supporting progression in learning through advice and guidance or further contact with providers

WorldSkills London 2011 ‘Have a Go’ communications will provide a range of support and resources including templates, toolkits and marketing materials. Details of how to obtain these without charge will be available following your successful bid.

Partners will need to supply detailed information on their ‘Have a Go’ ‘tasters’ monthly to WorldSkills UK so that they can be uploaded onto an interactive map to direct people to the activities.  An events calendar will show the range of events taking place. Media support to draw attention to the events will be managed through the individual organisations taking part and nationally by WorldSkills London 2011 and UK Skills. Use of the European Social Fund logo and approved WorldSkills London 2011 resources for ‘Have a Go’ is a requirement for all organisations requesting this funding.  A record of the volume of opportunities taken up will be maintained to monitor progress towards the national total and delivery of the European Social Fund project.

The European Social Fund in England is investing in jobs and skills – focusing on people who need support the most and helping them fulfil their potential.

Partner organisations will be expected to provide these opportunities across our area thus not exceeding a cost of approximately £5.00 per person for the ‘Have a Go’ activity.

If you are committed to taking part in this project you will need to complete the attached application for funding support by 28/11/2011. The applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges that include regional representation from NIACE on 06/12/2011. You will be notified of the outcome of your application by email by 09/12/2011.  Please ensure that your email details are clear in your application.

NB – although it says the deadline has past, we can confirm that  Barnfield College are still accepting applications,.

5.   New Initial Teacher Education projects – advance notification of a call to action‘

New Challenges, New Chances – Further Education and Skills System Reform Plan: Building a World Class Skills System’ (published 1 December 2011 ) announced a number of actions to develop and promote excellent teaching. The paper highlights the need for a professional workforce, and that outstanding teaching and learning depends on the quality of teachers and trainers, their specialist skills and how they are supported.

BIS has announced a number of key actions aimed at ensuring excellence in teaching and learning in the further education and skills system, and that we have world-class teachers and trainers. LSIS has been commissioned to work with the sector on this, providing development funding for new models of delivery of initial teacher education (ITE).

The call to action

In early 2012 LSIS will be publishing guidance documentation for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) providers to apply to the first phase of a development fund for the sector to explore new models of delivering Initial Teacher Education, working with Skills Funding Agency funded providers. Priority areas include English and Maths and STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

The main purpose of these projects is to set up new sustainable models of delivery of ITE which will:

• support providers to develop new models for ITE within the highest quality standards;
• create efficient models for ITE, while maintaining fitness for purpose, with a focus on creating excellence in teaching and learning; and
• develop ITE provision which is attractive and affordable to new trainees and employers.

Applications which create new partnerships would be particularly welcome (for example between industry/FE and skills providers/HE Institutions/ professional and learned bodies) as would projects which address equality and diversity issues across the FE and skills sector.

Phase 1 projects will be expected to demonstrate that they will be working within the new arrangements for funding of provision, and the new arrangements for student loans for trainees (where applicable), proposed for 2012/13.

In addition to the above, LSIS will be looking for:

• a spread of projects across different regions in England;
• projects that address the distinct needs of different parts of the FE and skills landscape* and
• projects which address subject priorities; Maths, English and the range of STEM subject.

The aim of these projects is to develop effective and efficient methods of delivery of ITE for the future. Projects which principally use funds as subsidies for trainees will not be considered.

Full bidding guidance for the Phase one project opportunities will be available in early 2012 together with arrangements for support for potential bidders. Enquiries in the meantime should be directed to tlpfundingportal@lsis.org.uk. Phase two will be announced later in the year.

*This does not include training programmes for staff in sixth form colleges who are trained through DfE/TDA routes

6. Regional innovation in teaching and learning funds (RITLF)

LSIS is issuing an invitation to providers to bid for an LSIS funded-project which will promote innovative continuing professional development (CPD) in teaching and learning. Each project will be funded up to the value of £5,000, and LSIS is funding a minimum of four projects in each of the nine regions.

The overall aim is to improve teaching and learning by using these funds to overcome barriers and provide additional opportunities for CPD in circumstances where otherwise it would not take place. All projects must demonstrate how they intend to improve teaching and learning. Projects should also be capable of contributing to the IfL 30 hour (or pro rata) CPD requirement and include opportunities for reflection.

LSIS is committed to improving the quality of teaching and learning through the use of its change agents*. This Regional Innovation in Teaching and Learning Fund is aimed at improving the effectiveness of teaching and learning through the transfer of effective practice using change agents. This builds on the findings in the LSIS funded report “Brilliant teaching in further education and skills” based on research by the Institute for Learning (IfL). This found that “CPD is most likely to lead to the desired impact if based on learning from others – from shared resources, from peer support and working together”. This focus on Teaching and Learning is reinforced by New Challenges, New Chances, published by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills in December 2011.

Collaborative applications between two or more organisations within a region or between regions are encouraged. We are particularly keen to hear from providers who have embedded the work of the change agents into cross-organisational improvement strategies in Teaching and Learning.

Please read the accompanying invitation and guidance, and complete and return the application form to the LSIS funding portal by midnight on 13 February 2012:

• RITLF invitation, guidance and application form (.doc, 153KB)

Please note that you will have to pre-register with the LSIS funding portal and we advise doing this in advance of your application.

* LSIS change agents include: Subject Learning Coach, PDA or Eguides , and priority may be given to these (although applications that use other change agents – key individuals who have a focus on teaching and learning and are authorised by their SMT- are welcome).