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.
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
Emerging Governance Models
LSIS is pleased to invite bids from learning and skills provider organisations for grants to document case studies of emerging governance structures and thinking in response to New Challenges, New Chances.
These grants are available to all providers within the learning and skills sector. We are particularly interested in case studies from Colleges, Independent Training Providers and Adult and Community and the Third Sector.
These case studies are intended to be a tool and catalyst to support other governing bodies to review their own governance structures by understanding how some providers have approached this.
Please read the accompanying invitation and guidance, complete and return the application form to fegovernance@lsis.org.uk by 12:00 midday on Wednesday 18 January 2012.
New initial teacher education projects – bidding guidance
LSIS has produced 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 Mathematics and STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). This first phase of funding is available to support HEFCE funded ITE provision.
'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 emphasises 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 ensuring 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.
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 to the highest quality standards;
- create efficient models for ITE, while maintaining fitness for purpose, with a focus on creating excellence in teaching and learning;
- 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 and professional and learned bodies), as would projects which address equality and diversity issues across the FE and skills sector.
Phase One projects will support HEFCE funded provision and 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*;
- projects which address subject priorities: Mathematics, English and the range of STEM subjects.
The aim of these projects is to develop effective and efficient methods of delivery of ITE for the future. Projects which use funds principally as subsidies for trainees will not be considered.
Full bidding guidance for the Phase One project opportunities is now available for download. Applications must be submitted by midnight on Wednesday 22 February 2012:
Support for potential bidders is available from the Centres for Excellence in Teacher Training (CETTs) (contact details available in the bidding documentation). Enquiries should be directed to the CETTS in the first instance, but you can contact LSIS via ITE@LSIS.org.uk.
Funding for Phase Two will be announced after April 2012. This will also support ITE provision accredited by awarding organisations (AOs).
*This does not include training programmes for staff in sixth form colleges who are trained through DfE/TDA routes.
Funding for Peer Review and Development groups
LSIS is pleased to announce the opportunity for PRD groups to access funding to build capacity to establish, develop and sustain effective partnership working to respond to the needs of young people 18-24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), and to support them to progress to employment, including apprenticeships.
Funding, up to a maximum of £5000, is available, which can be used flexibly, either for additional reviews or for other collaborative activity.
Please read the accompanying invitation and guidance, complete and return the application form to Resource.Utilisation@lsis.org.uk by midnight on 24 January 2012 in order to express your interest in participating.
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.p>
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:
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).