VocTech Seed - £50k grant available for digital EdTech vocational learning projects

by Startacus Admin

VocTech Seed 2017 is aimed at innovative, early stage digital vocational learning projects that show real ambition to scale and eventually reach large numbers of learners.

Ufi is about to launch a new call from their VocTech Seed fund. VocTech Seed offers up to £50,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months. Like all of their calls, this is looking for innovative ideas for using digital tech for vocational learning. But, VocTech Seed is specifically intended to support innovative and creative projects at a relatively early stage of development.  It enables new ideas to reach a point where they can demonstrate their potential to customers or funders and reach the market.

The Ufi Charitable Trust supports the delivery of adult vocational skills through digital technology and their aim is to use funding to catalyse change across the UK so that significant scale can be achieved in digital vocational learning for adults.

For Ufi, The VocTech Seed fund plays an important role in creating a pipeline of new approaches and one of the most important criteria for the fund is that projects must show real ambition and vision; and an understanding of how they can eventually get to market and be scaled up to reach a large number of learners.

Ufi want to see projects looking at any and every aspect of vocational learning, including (but not limited to) design and development of learning tools, new delivery models, evaluation and assessment, accreditation and recording evidence of achievement. Ufi is also particularly keen to support projects which will have long term impact on employers, communities of learners or sectors which cannot easily access current provision because of industry or market conditions, past learning history or other factors.

Key Dates

VocTech Stage 1 Seed Open will open for applications on Monday 24 April 2017 and close on 25th May 2017

If you are considering applying to Ufi VocTech Seed Fund there are still two briefing information workshops available to attend:

25 April 2017: Belfast VocTech Seed briefing workshop - click here to register 

27 April 2017: Manchester VocTech Seed briefing workshop - click here to register

If you are not based near Belfast or Manchester then two webinars are also still available to attend:

April 19: 1pm VocTech Seed Fund Webinar - click here to register

May 10: 10.30am VocTech Seed Fund Webinar - click here to register 

What kinds of organisations can apply?

VocTech Seed fund is open to all organisations, including charities, trade bodies, 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.

VTS is particularly suitable for early stage businesses, digital innovators and other organisations looking to test new digital approaches.  It is also relevant for those currently working in other markets who can see opportunities to adapt their approach to vocational learning.

VTS is a 2-stage application process. In Stage 1 applicants must complete a written application that will be assessed by a panel of assessors. If successful, applicants will be invited to complete a more detailed application form and project plan for assessment and review before the final selection is made by the Ufi Board of Trustees.

What now?

As VocTech Stage 1 Seed Open will open for applications on Monday 24 April 2017, make sure to Register with Ufi to get regular news and updates on the funding process, book your place at a workshop or webinar to talk to Ufi in advance about your potential project idea and take the time to read more about what Ufi are looking for – info on their strategy, funding guidelines and previously funded projects can all be found on their website.

Good luck to all that apply from team Startacus!

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Published on: 13th April 2017