LSIS STEM funding – guidance for providers
1.
About LSIS STEM funds ................................................................................................................. 1
2.
LSIS’ commitment to STEM ............................................................................................................ 1
3.
Priority project areas for the LSIS STEM Fund ............................................................................... 2
4.
Key criteria to address in LSIS STEM project bids ......................................................................... 2
5.
Funding limits and deadlines for the LSIS STEM Fund .................................................................. 3
6.
What happens next? ....................................................................................................................... 3
1. About LSIS STEM funds
a. The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) are pleased to invite bids from providers across
the learning and skills sector for a range of continuing professional development activities.
b. This document provides further guidance on the LSIS STEM funding opportunities. Providers
should also refer to the associated document “LSIS Teaching and Learning funding – guidance for
providers”, and use the application form supplied.
c. The LSIS STEM fund is part of the Teaching and Learning area of work.
d. These funds are provided for SFA/YPLA1 funded providers only. Staff must be delivering SFA/YPLA
funded courses. The funds can be used flexibly, for example, for the release of staff time or venue
costs. Capital items are not allowable. All staff participating in the project must be in a provider.
e. LSIS welcomes collaborative applications – across subject areas and across providers.
f. The overall aim of these funds is that they will be used to overcome barriers and provide additional
opportunities for CPD in circumstances where otherwise it would not take place. All sessions must be
capable of contributing to the IfL 30 hour (or pro rata) CPD requirement and include opportunities for
reflection.
2. LSIS’ commitment to STEM
a. LSIS’ commitment is set out in our Corporate Plan under priority area 3:
“to increase the amount of continuous professional development to improve teaching and learning in,
and across, STEM subjects, working in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering, the
National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics and the National Science Learning
Centre”.
b. For more background on the STEM agenda, and the action programmes set up to address it across
the whole of education, see:
http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/stemprogramme/stem-programme
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The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) replaced the
Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in April 2010.
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3. Priority project areas for the LSIS STEM Fund
a. The aim of the LSIS STEM Fund is to improve the quality of teaching and learning in and across the
STEM subjects through CPD projects.
b. LSIS and national STEM partners have identified priority areas for projects. These include, but are not
limited to:
i. Cascade training to create more teaching and learning change agents
ii. Sustainability – updating for future skills / low carbon economy
iii. Equality and diversity
iv. Harnessing technology
v. Progression through STEM / STEM careers information and guidance
vi. Space
vii. Improving Mathematics in and across STEM
viii. Working together in CPD across the STEM subjects
ix. International year of Biodiversity (2010)
x. Using teaching and learning change agents / LSIS STEM resources to explore
subject-specific priorities
c. Projects may address one or more subjects or priority areas.
4. Key criteria to address in LSIS STEM project bids
a. You can find some core / key success factors set out in the associated document “LSIS Teaching and
Learning funding – guidance for providers”.
b. Please also ensure that you address:
i. Which (if any) of the priority areas above you intend to cover in your project.
ii. Which subject areas within and across STEM are covered within your project.
iii. How the project will secure significant improvements in teaching and learning practice
or performance.
iv. How the project will promote improvement in terms of professional development.
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5. Funding limits and deadlines for the LSIS STEM Fund
a. There are three “open” funds available, and you should clearly indicate on your application form to
which fund you are applying, and the total budget for the project:
Fund title
Purpose
Maximum per
project
Deadline for
bids
LSIS
responses by
STEM
Cascade
training
to create more teaching and
learning change agents within
the STEM subjects, with a
minimum of 10 new change
agents being trained
£1,000
Round One
closes 22
October 2010
Round One
projects
awarded by
12 November
STEM CPD
exploring one or two STEM
subject areas – aimed at those
starting to explore improved
teaching and learning in STEM
£1,000 for each
subject area
within the
project
Round One
closes 22
October 2010
Round One
projects
awarded by
12 November
Step up in
STEM
exploring two or more STEM
subject areas e.g. through
CPD, curriculum development,
action based research – aimed
at those with experience of the
STEM and / or Teaching and
Learning Programme2
£5,000
Round One
closes 5
November 2010
Round One
projects
awarded by
30 November
b. Additionally, there is a “subscriber only” funding band for those who have used their LSIS Account
to subscribe to the STEM services. Projects here will be expected to investigate wider organisation
issues and / or collaboration with other providers or relevant organisations (e.g. employers). There is
a maximum of £10,000 per project. More information on this fund will be sent out to providers when
they subscribe.
6. What happens next?
a. LSIS colleagues and Regional STEM Centres will review bids and respond as soon as practicable,
and by the dates indicated above.
b. We may contact you for points of further clarification if necessary, but will still attempt to meet the
deadlines set out above.
c. For projects up to £1,000, 100% payment will be made at the start of the project. For “Step up in
STEM” projects3, 100% payment will be made on confirmation of your subscription. Terms and
conditions will be set out in the grant letter from LSIS.
d. Projects must be completed and invoiced by 31 March 2010.
e. Please see the associated document “LSIS Teaching and Learning funding – guidance for providers”
for information on the review panel and feedback.
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If you are successful in your bid at this level, you will need to subscribe to the LSIS STEM package
to benefit from a wider range of support. Please note that you should not include the £1,000
subscription fee in the project budget as this must be covered by your institution’s resources. For
more information on LSIS Accounts please see
http://www.lsis.org.uk/SERVICES/LSISACCOUNTS/Pages/default.aspx
3
See above
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