Funding news - 06/06/2012
New £4 Million Fund for Adult Learning in England Launches
The Community Learning Innovation Fund, a new £4 million grants fund from the Skills Funding Agency, administered by NIACE, is currently accepting applications for projects that will run from 10 September 2012 to 31 July 2013.
The Community Learning Innovation Fund (CLIF) aims to support new and imaginative community learning opportunities that encourage adults aged 19 years and older to take up, succeed and progress in learning.
Organisations in England, including public, private and third sector, may apply for grants of between £10,000 and £65,000 to develop and offer creative learning opportunities that engage and motivate adults, especially those who are disadvantaged.
Projects should be designed to support the development and delivery of community learning for people aged 19 and over and address at least one of the following themes:
- Learning for social and economic well being.
- Learning for community.
- Learning for families.
- Learning for digital inclusion.
Funding can be used for all the eligible, direct costs of the project, including:
- Salary costs for work undertaken on the project and other costs, such as National Insurance and travelling and subsistence expenses for project managers, project workers and volunteers for work undertaken on the project.
- Staff training (including CLIF briefing sessions) directly related to the project.
- Monitoring and evaluation of the project.
- Marketing and publicity for the project.
- Professional and legal fees associated with expenditure on the project.
- Overhead costs directly related to the project.
- Capital and equipment for use on the project. (These costs should not exceed 10% of the overall project cost.)
Public, private and third sector organisations from all backgrounds including culture, heritage, sport, health, community regeneration, environment, arts and craft, broadcasting and technology may apply for this funding.
Applications can only be submitted online via the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) website (opens new page).
The deadline for applications for funding exceeding £50,000 is 28 June 2012 (12 noon).
The deadline for applications for funding of less than £50,000 is 5 July 2012 (12 noon).
The purpose of the CLIF is to support new and creative learning opportunities, particularly for disadvantaged people, in line with the objectives set out in New Challenges, New Chances Further Education and Skills Reform Plan: Building a World Class System (BIS, December 2011).
Source: NIACE, 06/06/2012