The Community Learning Innovation Fund (CLIF), a new £4million grants fund from the Skills Funding Agency, administered by NIACE, is now open for applications.
The fund is designed to support new and imaginative community learning opportunities that encourage adults to take up, succeed and progress in learning, is now open for applications.
Organisations from across England can bid for projects to develop and offer creative learning opportunities that engage and motivate, in particular, disadvantaged adults.
Projects will be funded to run from September 2012 to 31 July 2013.
• The maximum amount for any bid is £65,000 and the minimum is £10,000.
• The deadline for applications for £50,000 or more is 12 noon, Thursday 28 June 2012.
• The deadline for applications for less than £50,000 is 12 noon, Thursday 5 July 2012.
CLIF will contribute to the Government's objectives for community learning of the recent policy reform document from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
The Community Learning Innovation Fund can support a wide range of projects and activities in England - though all of them should deliver learning to adults. For further information and for an outline of the types of projects that can be funded click here.
Who can apply?
The Community Learning Innovation Fund is open to learning providers in England regardless of whether or not they currently receive funding for community learning directly from the Skills Funding Agency. Bids are welcomed from public, private and third sector organisations from all backgrounds including culture, heritage, sport, health, community regeneration, environment, arts and crafts, broadcasting and technology.
How to apply
Applications can be made online only. Applications for £50,000 or more should be received by 12 noon, Thursday 28 June 2012. Applications for less than £50,000 should be received by 12 noon, Thursday 5 July 2012.
You can find out more information on the webpage, where a full Prospectus is available for download, along with Frequently Asked Questions which should answer most of your queries.
If you have any questions about the Fund please check online first. If you cannot find the answer to your query, please email clif@niace.org.uk. Your question will be dealt with within three working days.
Unfortunately NIACE will not be able to deal with queries by telephone and cannot enter into any correspondence once the closing date for applications has passed.
When can projects start?
Successful projects will be informed on Thursday 16 August 2012 and Funding Agreements will be issued as soon as possible thereafter. If you are successful you can start your project as soon as you have signed and returned your Funding Agreement and by 10 September 2012 at the latest. All projects receiving funding must have completed activity by 31 July 2013.