Description
Funding is available for organisations across all sectors undertaking projects that use digital technology in novel and imaginative ways to develop new services or improve access and delivery of adult vocational learning in the UK.
- Current Status
- Open for Applications
- Maximum value:
- £ 50,000
Objectives of Fund
The VocTech Seed Fund provides funding for initiatives that can improve the accessibility and delivery of adult learning through the use of technology.
Early-stage funding will be offered to organisations undertaking projects that have the potential for using digital technology in novel and imaginative ways to develop new services or improve access or delivery of adult vocational learning. The programme will help supported ventures to develop their ideas into robust digital products or services.
Value Notes
Successful applicants can each expect to receive grant funding, typically of between £15,000 and £50,000 for projects lasting from three to twelve months.
Match Funding Restrictions
There is no formal requirement for match funding.
As a charity Ufi welcomes contributions from applicants and partners, whether in cash or in kind. Applications will be strengthened if there are contributions (in cash or in kind) from own or other organisations which help to demonstrate commitment to the project, its perceived value, and long term impact.
Who Can Apply
The scheme is suitable for early-stage businesses, smaller digital innovators and other organisations looking to test new digital approaches on a small scale. It is also suitable for digital innovators currently working in other markets who can see opportunities to adapt their approach to vocational learning. It may be particularly useful to edtech businesses looking to expand their products and series to delivery to the VocTech market, and for businesses with expertise in their field, looking to scale-up using digital technologies.
However, it is open to all organisations, including charities, trade bodies, existing learning providers and employers who would like to test new approaches to using digital technology for vocational learning. Applications can be strengthened by demonstrating a collaborative approach, especially where employers and digital learning specialists are working together.
The funder only supports projects that can demonstrate their impact in the UK.
Eligible Expenditure
The scheme will fund the design, development and early stage testing of novel approaches to digital vocational learning; helping to take those ideas through basic prototyping to the next stage of ‘seeding the market’ by delivering a first proof of concept prototype and planning a route to market. This could include:
- Design, development and prototyping
- Refining learning design
- Small scale testing with users
- Planning a route to market & strategies for scaling
- Project Management
- Evidencing impact & what works
How To Apply
This programme operates on a periodic basis.
There will be two VocTech Seed calls in 2022:
- The first call opened on 12 January 2022. The deadline is 9 February 2022 (17:00 GMT)
- The second call opens on 15 June 2022. The deadline will be 13 July 2022 (17:00 GMT)
Note: All applications must be made online at Ufi VocTech Trust. The pdf of the application form is merely provided to help applicants plan their online submission.
Grant payments will be made retrospectively.
Once awarded funding, projects will be monitored on an ongoing basis and organisations will be asked to report on how they are meeting their stated goals.
More details can be accessed at the programme website