How to apply
We have introduced a two stage application process to minimise the amount of time that is spent preparing applications and to allow us to work more closely with those organisations with the most promising ideas.
The first stage is an Outline Proposal application. In this applicants give a succinct overview of their idea and the GIF Board will score this to identify those proposals which are the closest fit to its investment priorities.
The second stage is a Development Phase which gives us the opportunity to work with selected organisations to help them develop their full proposals.
To apply to the fund you will need to:
- Complete the online Eligibility Checker.
- Submit an Outline Proposal using the application form provided (the form is available once you complete the eligibility checker)
Applications can be supplemented with an optional three to five minute video summarising your idea. Please see the application form for specific guidance on this element.
When to apply
GIF is open for business all year round. Applicants are free to submit their applications to GIF at any time. The GIF Board will meet regularly during the year to make its short listing and investment decisions. However, please note that GIF can only deal with one application from each organisation at any one time.
In 2012 the GIF Board will meet to consider applications on the following dates:
- August 2012 (closing date for new applications : 10am on 31st May 2012 )
- Late November 2012 (closing date for new applications to be confirmed)
Outline Proposal applications must be submitted by the closing date in brackets in order to be considered. Any applications received after this time will be reviewed at the next board meeting. Once an application is approved, applicants will be told the date for submission of full proposal applications.
Further dates beyond 2012 will be provided at a later date and be subject to funds being available.
GIF Board
The GIF Board is chaired by Charlie Mayfield and comprises six UK Commissioners, the Chief Executive of Skills Funding Agency, the Chief Executive of the UK Commission and a senior official from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.
Decision Making Process and Development Phase
The GIF Board, supported by officials from the UK Commission and Skills Funding Agency, will review the Outline Proposal applications and select those that most closely fit with its published investment criteria to move forward into the development phase. In the event of over-subscription, and between comparably good bids in terms of the criteria, final decisions will be taken in the context of ensuring a balanced portfolio of investments across solution themes, sectors and geography. To assist with the short listing process some applicants may be offered the opportunity to present their proposals to the Board. This will depend on the value, complexity and risk associated with each proposal. Please note that those applicants invited to present to the GIF Board will be notified a minimum of three weeks before the Board date. These dates are set and cannot be changed so it is advisable to note them in diaries now.
During the development phase, shortlisted applicants will develop their Outline Proposals into full applications and take the first steps in getting their solutions off the ground. The Board will use this information to make a final decision on whether to invest GIF funds in a proposal. Each applicant will be assigned an account manager from either the UK Commission or Skills Funding Agency to provide light-touch support and guidance through the development phase. We envisage that the development phase will last a maximum of 12 weeks (the duration will be agreed on a proposal-by-proposal basis). Where an applicant opts to submit a full proposal only, the Board will move straight to a final decision on whether to invest GIF funds in a proposal.
Limited GIF funding is available to support applicants in developing their full proposals and applicants should set out any requirements for this in their application. At the conclusion of the development phase the GIF Board will decide which proposals it wishes to invest fully in. Supporting a proposal into the development phase is not a guarantee of any further investment from GIF.
We recognise that some applicants may feel they have well-developed proposals and do not require the time or support offered by the development phase. In these circumstances applicants can submit a full proposal for consideration alongside the Outline Proposal. If this situation applies to you please contact GIF.applications@ukces.org.uk for the full proposal application form. Please note the full proposals will only be considered by the GIF Board if the Outline Proposal is short-listed in its own right.
Reference copies of the GIF full proposal application form (PDF, 63 Kb) , GIF outline proposal application form (PDF, 52 Kb) and costing spreadsheets (PDF, 66 Kb) are available for you to view and a Word version will be provided to shortlisted applicants.
Decisions, appeals, feedback and resubmission
We will write to all applicants within three working days of the GIF Board meeting to notify them of the outcome. All decisions are final; there will be no right of appeal though unsuccessful proposals may be re-submitted for consideration by the GIF Board on one further occasion. (We recommend that any areas of weakness will have been adequately addressed).
Summary details of successful outline and full proposals will be published on the GIF website.
Applicants wishing to receive more detailed feedback on a decision should request this via GIF.questions@ukces.co.uk. Unfortunately we are only able to provide written feedback due to the volume of applications the Fund receives.
Investment Agreements and Monitoring
Successful applicants will sign up to a GIF Investment Agreement. This will be a phased agreement with clear break points to allow progress to be reviewed at the end of each phase before investment is released and further investment stages are agreed.
The Investment Agreement will be with either the UK Commission or Skills Funding Agency depending on which is most appropriate to the solution being developed.
Successful applicants will be required to participate in, and provide data to assist, with the programme level evaluation of GIF. The programme level evaluation will draw on the evaluation of individual projects carried out by successful applicants.
