Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What CLIF funding can be used for FAQs

The prospectus says that grants can not be used to fund existing infrastructure, projects, provision or posts, even if they are running out of funding. Does this mean that we would need to recruit new staff to work on our project?

No, existing staff could work on your project and you can claim for the time they spend doing this. What you can't do is claim for costs of existing staff time spent on other projects/work. You can only claim for time spent working on this project. (Alternatively, the costs of staff time spent on your project could be offered as a contribution in kind.)

Would it be possible for our project to continue beyond 31 July 2013 using grant money from the CLIF?

No, all project activity must be complete by 31st July 2013 and any CLIF grant money which you are going to spend will need to be spent by 31st July 2013.

Would the inclusion of optional opportunities for accreditation make a bid to CLIF ineligible for funding ?

Although community learning is more often than not unaccredited it may be appropriate in some instances to include opportunities for learners to gain accreditation if they choose. A project involving optional accreditation would be eligible for consideration for CLIF funding.

Can we apply for funding for ESOL classes / literacy classes / numeracy classes / basic skills classes?

We cannot fund projects which have the development of literacy, numeracy or English language skills as their primary purpose although this could be a subsidiary aim.

Can we apply for funding for computer / IT classes?

Applications for funding for IT classes could be considered - one of the key themes of this funding is widening access to digital skills. However, in order to ensure the best chance of success projects need to bear in mind the aims and themes of the Fund and the advice contained in the prospectus as to the sorts of project most likely to secure funding.   You should note that capital and equipment purchases should not exceed 10% of the overall project cost.

We are a national organisation. Can we submit an application for a project that covers the whole of England?

National organisations are welcome to apply for CLIF funding.   However, the maximum funding that will be awarded to any one project is £65,000. On this level of funding it is unlikely that you would be able to develop a project covering the whole of England which also met the CLIF funding criteria.    

If we send you a brief overview of our project idea, can you tell me if it suitable for funding?

We cannot offer advice on individual project ideas as this would be unfair to other potential applicants to the Fund.   We suggest that you read the Prospectus carefully to determine whether or not your ideas meet the funding criteria for CLIF.

Application form FAQs

My organisation does not have a "Chief Executive" - whose details should I include in this part of Section D?

The purpose of asking for the name and contact details of the Chief Executive is so that we have the contact details for the person who is responsible in the event of any audit, costing issues or legal issues. You will need to decide who is the most appropriate person for this. We do not anticipate contacting them except in the case of any serious difficulties.

The work plan information on the project application requests information regarding expenditure. Some expenditure supports several objectives so how should we record this information?

We would like to avoid duplication so ask that you either split the cost between the objectives or enter it all against one objective and cross refer to it from the other objectives.

Budget FAQs

Should match funding be included on the budget spreadsheet?

The budget spreadsheet should only include what is being requested from the Community Learning Innovation Fund. Match funding/in kind contributions should be identified in Section C of the application form. Match funding should not be included in the budget spreadsheet.

Is any specific proportion of match funding required for bids of £50,000 or over?

We expect all bids for £50,000 or over to include an element of match funding in cash or in kind. No specific proportion of match funding is required. However, value for money will be an important deciding factor. We will be looking for projects that can offer significant added value by bringing a financial or in-kind contribution from another source.

If we make an application in partnership with other organisations, can we bid for more than £65,000?

No. The maximum amount for any application is £65,000.

Are Community Learning Innovation Fund payments subject to VAT?

This funding is treated as a grant payment and therefore outside the scope of VAT.

Organisations applying to the Fund FAQs

Are voluntary organisations / community organisations / private organisations / social enterprises / Local Authorities / Universities / Colleges eligible to apply for funding?

Yes, bids are welcomed from the public, private and third sectors, including organisations from all backgrounds including culture, heritage, nature, sport, health, community regeneration, art and craft, broadcasting and technology. We particularly welcome collaborations, especially between organisations that are beginning to work together more. Please note this fund is open to organisations in England only.

Is an organisation able to make more than one application to the fund?

Yes. However, please note, if your organisation is involved in more than one application you will need to tell us this in the application form, for each application submitted. Also, if you wish to submit more than one application using the same email address to log in to the NIACE website, you will need to complete and submit one before you can start to work on the online application form for the next one. (You can of course save more than one copy of the Word version of the application form to draft more than one application at a time).

Can an organisation be a partner on more than one project?

Yes. Any organisation can partner on more than one project in a lead capacity or otherwise.

My organisation plans to submit an application as lead partner. If we act as partner on other applications, will this make us less likely to be successful in our own application?

No, each application will be judged on its own merits. The Skills Funding Agency wishes to encourage partnership working, and the number of bids a provider partners on will not affect the outcome of any individual bids. The Skills Funding Agency aim to ensure greater collaboration locally.

What constitutes an organisation having a legal identity?

As long as you are registered self employed or registered with Companies House or the Charity Commission and have historical financial information you would be considered a legal identity for this.  If your organisation is a legal entity for contracting purposes and is able to hold and manage funds in your own right then you are eligible to hold a contract from the CLIF.

Do we have to have a project partner in receipt of direct funding from the Skills Funding Agency as was the case for ACLF?

No it is not a condition of CLIF funding that your organisation or any of your partners should be Agency-funded?.

What are Community Learning Trusts (CLTs)?   The Prospectus says that CLIF projects will be expected to develop links with any CLTs in their area. How do we do this?

The CLT Prospectus published in April 2012 invites applications from groups of organisations to become pilot CLTs and outlines what this will require them to do. The announcement of successful CLT pilots will be made in July 2012.  NIACE will support successful CLIF projects to develop links with CLTs as appropriate.

Are schools eligible to apply to the Community Learning Innovation Fund?  

Bids are welcomed from the public, private and third sectors, including schools.  However, please note that the projects will be expected to deliver direct benefits to adult learners and potential learners. In this context 'adults' refers to anyone aged 19 or over.  It is perfectly reasonable for children and young people to benefit from a project's work, provided that the main beneficiaries are adults.

Is CLIF funding available in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland / Will there be a similar Fund in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland?

The Skills Funding Agency is only responsible for funding in England and hence the Community Learning Innovation Fund is only open to organisations in England for the delivery of adult learning in England. Different arrangements are in place for the funding of adult learning in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Are applications from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man eligible?

Projects based in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man are not eligible for funding. According to the Skills Funding Agency Funding Rules 2012/13: 'All Learners, whilst resident in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, remain ineligible for Agency funding, as the funding responsibility for their programmes remain with their own independent governments.'

Other FAQs

What do you class as an adult?

The term 'adults' refers to anyone aged 19 or over. However, although by 'adult' we mean those aged 19 or over, it is perfectly reasonable for children and young people to benefit from a project's work, provided that the main beneficiaries are adults.

Is an Easy Read version of the Prospectus available?

This Easy Read summary of the Community Learning Innovation Fund prospectus has been developed in accordance with Mencap's "Make it Clear" standards. The Easy Read summary of the prospectus has been designed to make the information more accessible to people with learning disabilities. The Easy read summary does not replace the full Prospectus. All organisations submitting bids are strongly advised to consult the full Prospectus before submitting their bid.

Download the Easy Read summary of the Prospectus (PDF) (opens in a new window). This should be read in conjunction with the main Prospectus, terms and conditions and application form.

Will there be further opportunities to apply for this funding after 5^th July 2012?

The deadlines for the Community Learning Innovation Fund are 12 noon on Thursday 28^th June for applications for £50,000 and over, and 12 noon on Thursday 5^th July for applications for less than £50,000.  There is no further Community Learning Innovation Fund funding available for applications beyond this date.

Is there an expectation that a specific number of learners will be engaged for a specific amount of project funding?

No, we can not define an "amount per learner". We anticipate that projects will be very different in terms of what they are trying to achieve and the types of beneficiary they are attempting to support. In addition the starting points of the various organisations involved may well be very different.

All bids will be judged both in relation to the extent that they contribute to the aims and themes of the Community Learning Innovation Fund as well as whether the proposal is realistic, clearly thought through and underpinned by a rigorous methodology with a clear line of sight between project aims and proposed impact.  The intended impact and benefits of the project and the ways in which it is proposed to measure these will also be important deciding factors, as will proposals for sustaining activity beyond the lifetime of the project.  Finally a key judgement will be whether the project represents good value for money.

What will be the qualification and experience requirements of teachers delivering learning under this fund?

It is expected that staff working on any successful CLIF project will be in possession of the appropriate skills and experience necessary to ensure high quality and effective project delivery, including the delivery of learning. Whilst proposals are welcomed in which staff are also in possession of the appropriate teaching qualifications, it is recognised that to make this a mandatory requirement could act as a barrier to innovation and could exclude many of the provider organisations that the Fund seeks to attract. 

Will there be a further round of funding in 2013/14?

The Skills Funding Agency has commissioned NIACE to manage a grants programme in the academic year 2012/13.  There are currently no plans for further funding in 2013/14.