How to apply for funding
One of the main areas of Progress South Central's work is to fund projects that improve progression opportunities for vocational learners into and through higher education.
We have already funded a variety of projects from a wide range of organisations:
PSC funded Project examples grid.pdf
Projects we have supported include feasibility studies for new course developments, buying out staff time to engage with employers, mentoring sessions and workshops for vocational students etc.
If you have a project that you are seeking to obtain funding for we would be interested in discussing your idea with you or receiving a proposal form.
Guidance notes:
The parameters of acceptable projects are broad; benefits could be cross college or university and involve more than one institution or other relevant organisation, for example, Sector Skills Councils. Outcomes should demonstrate potential benefits across the Progress South Central partnership. For instance, you may wish to consider focused research projects and continuing professional development activities. We must exclude capital projects and funding directly supporting students, such as bursaries. In addition:
- Proposals should be in accordance with the aims and objectives of Progress South Central Lifelong Learning Network, namely to develop and support progression opportunities for vocational students into and through higher education;
- Proposals may be locally focused if appropriate, for example to support progression to higher education for students of 14 - 19 Diplomas;
- Proposals should include clear and measurable outcomes;
- Proposals should include clear means and mechanisms for dissemination and follow up of lessons learnt, for the benefit of the wider partnership;
- Proposals should include plans or proposals for longer term sustainability beyond the lifetime of the LLN;
- Where appropriate, proposals should complement other related initiatives, work and projects which the proposers are engaged in, including partnership projects and those which are institutionally specific.
- Projects should commence as soon as possible. We are currently funded until July 2011. Project must be completed and reported on before that date.
Our work is focused on:
- Four employment sectors: Construction; Creative Industries; Health and Social Care; Land-based industries. We also fund projects that are not sector specific;
- Curriculum development - particularly Foundation degrees, CPD and work based learning;
- Information advice and guidance - conferences, workshops and materials;
- Progression Agreements from Level 3 to and through higher education, including 14-19 Diploma and Apprenticeships;
- Best practice in work based learning in higher education;
- Engaging employers and practitioners in higher education;
- CPD of staff to support high quality provision of vocational higher education;
- Employer engagement in the development and delivery of suitable progression opportunities into and through higher education;
- Support for progression for students from 14 - 19 Diplomas to higher education;
- Support for progression for Apprentices to higher level study
- Support for the provision of excellence of delivery of higher education in the further education sector;
We are open to ideas and suggestions which fall within our overall remit of developing and supporting progression into and through higher education for vocational students.
Process for making an application
Stage 1
If you have an idea for a project we recommend you discuss it first with a member of the Progress South Central team before completing a proposal form. We would be very happy to meet and advise you. Please refer to our contacts page.
Stage 2
Download and complete a project proposal form giving as much detail about the project and breakdown of funding as you can. Please submit this to the Progress South Central office via email.
Stage 3
Progress South Central may at this stage provide feedback, which could include further negotiation and clarification of certain details within the project. We will let you know our decision made by the Director as to whether the project can be funded. If successful we will then produce a Funding Agreement that you or a senior representative from your organisation will be asked to sign. The Funding Agreement details the agreed activities, the timescale of the project and breakdown of the funding allocated.
Stage 4
Throughout the life of the project a member of the Progress South Central team will be managing the project contract. Interim and final reports are usually requested. These may be completed by the project lead or the Progress South Central project manager following a meeting with the project lead to discuss the progress of the project.
Stage 5
Payment is usually made on the completion of the project; however interim payments can be made if stipulated in the terms of the Funding Agreement. Reports/findings/good practice from the project will be disseminated throughout the network.
We look forward to hearing from you!