At LSIS we operate a number of funds designed to give sector providers support for innovative projects with the potential to secure significant improvements in sector practice or performance.

Our general fund is the Flexibility and Innovation Fund which is aimed at provider organisations working in collaboration with others to carry out innovative work that benefits the wider sector. 

In addition, throughout the year we offer a range of funds for specific areas of work or research.

Each opportunity includes a brief introduction here on the web page, and links to further information and access to the documents you will need to make your bid.  It is our intention to launch new opportunities here around the first day of each month.

Current funding opportunities

Sector Reference Group
Closing date: Friday 15th September 2010 12:00pm

Leading and Learning for a Sustainable Future is the new LSIS strategy to support the sector in responding to the sustainable development challenge.  The strategy aims to support the learning and skills sector in becoming an exemplar in its commitment to sustainability, by building on the excellent and extensive energy, experience, knowledge and practice that already exists.

Reflecting LSIS’ commitment to increasingly working with and through the sector, LSIS is now providing funded opportunities for staff from within the sector to support the implementation of the strategy and the development of specific activities, by joining a Sector Reference Group.  Providers are invited to nominate individuals with the skills and experience to join the Group. 

Further details and a nomination form are provided below via the hyperlinks.

If you require further information contact Conrad on: conrad.benefield@lsis.org.uk

For more information please refer to the documents below:

 Invitation to nominate for SRG (PDF, 329KB)
 Nomination form (.doc, 199KB)
 Leading and Learning for a Sustainable Future – the LSIS sustainable development strategy (PDF, 312KB)

Leadership in technology (LIT) grant based intervention
Closing date: Friday 17th September 2010 12:00pm

LSIS is inviting bids from learning providers for project grants of £6000 for technology based improvement interventions. The grant is designed to support providers who identify a particular improvement need that can be tackled through the innovative use of technology and organisational development. This should enable organisations to use technology to achieve measurable and/or clearly identifiable benefits. The scheme aims to use sector expertise and best practice through mentoring, coupled with support from targeted LSIS Leadership of elearning programme activity.

Successful bids will also be eligible to bid for a capital grant the amount of which is yet to be determined.  The details of this will be finalised early in the autumn term and successful bids will automatically qualify for the fund.

If you require further information contact the team on: eleadership@lsis.org.uk.

For more information please refer to the documents below:
LIT guidance to bidders (PDF, 82KB)
LIT application form (.doc, 219KB)

Resource Utilisation
Closing date: Friday 17th September 2010 12:00pm

LSIS is seeking to develop a number of Resource Utilisation expert practitioners from within the sector. Please see the two documents below for more information. In case of any queries please contact peter.oughton@lsis.org.uk

Resource Utilisation guidance to bidders (PDF, 166KB)
Resource Utilisation application form (.doc, 103KB)

Regional Coaching
Closing date: Monday 13th September 2010 12:00pm

We are seeking nine Regional Coaching Ambassadors, one per region.  These ambassadors will be ambassadors for coaching as a method of change and the LSIS coaching programmes in particular. In case of any queries please contact milda.laurikiete@lsis.org.uk

For more information please refer to the two documents below. 
Regional Coaching guidance to bidders (PDF, 62KB)
Regional Coaching application form (.doc, 103KB)

Community Development Fund
Closing date for applications: 27 September 2010 12:00pm

LSIS is pleased to invite bids from learning and skills provider organisations to join the new Community Development Fund. The fund is designed to support projects which evaluate, further develop, expand and embed effective approaches to Community Development, and to share these approaches and systems with other providers.

Bids, up to a maximum of £25,000 inclusive, submitted by provider organisations must be for activities that would have transferable learning and benefits for the wider sector rather than just an individual organisation. All bids are asked to spell out their understanding of Community Development and how they will address issues of sustainability of the project, partnership working and innovative approaches to community issues.

Applications can be made using the following forms:
CDF invitation (PDF, 80KB)
CDF Frequently asked questions (PDF, 93KB)
CDF Application form (.doc, 214KB)

Flexibility and Innovation Fund: Round 4 Funding
Closing date: Friday 29 October 2010 12.00pm

LSIS is pleased to invite bids from learning and skills provider organisations for funding from its Flexibility and Innovation Fund. The Fund is designed to support innovative projects with the potential to secure significant improvements in sector practice or performance. 

Bids, for up to a maximum of £50,000, may be submitted by provider organisations working in collaboration with others to carry out innovative work that would benefit the wider sector. LSIS will particularly welcome bids from providers working through cross-sector and extra-sector consortia arrangements.

Guidance on eligibility, funding criteria and how to apply for funding is available on the Excellence Gateway.

Flexibility and Innovation Fund on the Excellence Gateway

For telephone enquiries, please contact the LSIS helpline on 02476 627953.
For email enquiries, please contact excellence.innovation@lsis.org.uk.