MODNet Development Fund

Development Fund Proposal Guidelines


Introduction

The MODNet Development Fund is designed to support development activities that promote the aims and objectives of the Middlesex Organisational Development Network (MODNet). The MODNet project aims to coordinate the expertise and resources of Middlesex University and its strategic partners to provide a comprehensive range of services and products to employers designed to meet organisational development needs. The Institute for Work Based Learning (IWBL) manages this project on behalf of the University. Middlesex University Schools and all MODNet strategic partners are invited to submit development proposals in accordance with these guidelines. Each submitted proposal will be evaluated to establish the extent to which it describes planned activity that will contribute the achievement of MODNet objectives and be of relevance to MODNet development priorities.

Proposals should normally include the delivery of or progression to higher education provision on a co-funded basis (1). Development funding for a project will normally be up to £10K. In exceptional cases the MODNet project Board may consider funding proposals above this amount where they are of strategic significance and include a number of partner institutions/organisations. Projects will normally be expected to be completed within 12 months or less.

There will be three funding rounds during the period between March 2010 and July 2011, the deadlines for submission of proposals are as follows:

Round 1 - 29th March 2010 – funding up to 9 projects

Round 2 - 27th September 2010 – funding up to 7 projects

Round 3 - 13th December 2010 – funding up to 4 projects

 

Proposals submitted after the published deadlines will not be considered for the respective funding round but may be considered for the following round if appropriate.

 

MODNet’s objectives are;

  • The establishment of a provider network focused on organisational development
  • The establishment of Business Development and Marketing resource to promote work based learning
  • The development of appropriate quality, infrastructure and financial frameworks to support flexible work based provision
  • Further development of work based curriculum
  • Expansion of student numbers through co-funded arrangements
  • The use of accreditation of in-house training to develop sustainable business relationships with employers
 

MODNet Development Priorities

Proposals will also need to demonstrate how they will contribute to the achievement of MODNet objectives in relation to at least one of the following development priorities:

Theme One: Sustainable employer engagement

  • To develop innovative approaches to employer co-funding including contributions in-cash and in-kind models
  • To establish collaborative approaches to the delivery of employer led higher education
  • To establish sustainable work based learning progression from accredited in-house provision

Theme Two: Progression through work based learning

  • To develop innovative uses of the Middlesex University Work Based Learning Framework(2)
  • To develop or establish AP(E)L(3) processes as a means to enhance workplace progression
  • To develop work based learning progression opportunities from Advanced Apprenticeships and other level 3 vocational programmes.

Theme Three: Curriculum change and development

(particularly at level 4, 5 and 6)

  • To facilitate curriculum alignment and development to facilitate progression to higher education qualification through work based learning
  • To establish new programmes with relevant employment sectors delivered through a work based learning mode
  • To develop specific work based learning provision to meet specific sector needs.
 

Authorisation and submission

Proposals for funding submitted by a member of an eligible institution/organisation must be authorised and signed by the relevant Head of Department or appropriate senior representative. Only fully completed proposal forms will be considered for funding. Completed proposals should be emailed to the IWBL Curriculum Development Co-ordinator at c.zaharia@mdx.ac.uk.

MODNet Development Fund Proposal Form[PDF] MODNet Development Fund Proposal Form[Doc]  MODNet Development Fund Guidlines

Criteria for the evaluation of proposals

The following criteria will be referred to when evaluating proposals:

  •  Contribution to the achievement of MODNet objectives including the integration of co-funded approaches to delivery
  • Relevance to identified MODNet development priorities
  • The clarity of the activity timetable including identified outcomes
  • The cost effectiveness of the proposed budget in relation to potential benefits
  • The clarity and appropriateness of the dissemination plan
  • The extent to which the evaluation plan includes all relevant stakeholders.
 

The evaluation process

The proposals will be checked by a IWBL Curriculum Development Co-ordinator for completeness. Incomplete proposals will be returned. Complete proposals will then be circulated to members of the MODNet Executive Team for evaluation. Each proposal will be evaluated by two referees from the MODNet Stakeholder Advisory Panel. Final decisions on funding, based on the recommendations of the referees will be made by the MODNet Project Board. Authors of all proposals will be given feedback from referees. Authors of successful proposals will be formally notified of the terms of the funding.

 

Responsibilities of successful applicants

Successful applicants will be responsible for carrying out the activities detailed in the agreed proposal in a timely and financially accountable manner. Intellectual property rights will normally remain with the proposer or eligible institution/organisation, although this may be subject to negotiation in particular cases. The successful applicant must credit Middlesex University for assistance where relevant in any disseminated or published materials. Successful applicants for MODNet development funding will be sent a Statement of Responsibilities letter, which must be signed by both the proposer and the relevant Head of Department or appropriate senior representative as a record of agreement to the terms of funding prior to the release of any funds.

 

Monitoring project progress and financial arrangements

The authorising Head of Department or appropriate senior representative will be required to monitor progress against the proposal plan and provide a quarterly report to the IWBL Curriculum Development Co-ordinator.

 

Payments of funds will be made as follows:

Fifty percent of the agreed sum will be paid upon the receipt of the signed Statement of Responsibilities letter. Forty percent of the remainder of the funds will normally be paid following evidence of appropriate implementation within the first quarterly report. The remaining ten percent will normally be released upon receipt of an approved Final Report. Middlesex University retains the right to withhold full payment until the completion of all agreed proposal outcomes including dissemination. Funds will normally be allocated for activities undertaken within an academic year. Any funds unspent at the end of the project (or academic year) will be retained or repaid to Middlesex University.


Final Report

A Final Report on the activity will be required upon completion. This will be published on the Middlesex University website and become part of a web-based resource providing information for other MODNet stakeholders. The final report should include:

  • Activity overview including demonstrable outcomes and/or benefits in relation to MODNet objectives and development priorities
  • Wider implications for employer engagement and work based learning
  • Further potential developments and/or benefits

 

Exclusions

Please note that MODNet Development Funding will not be provided for the following:

  • Teaching or any other activity for which funds are being drawn from a UK or EU public source.
  • Capital expenditure including any physical resource
  • The development of provision below level 4 that does not include progression to higher education
  • Speculative research that does not itself result in the development of employer led provision
  • Projects whose outcomes are delivered later than the 31st July 2011

Useful Documents

Notes:

1 Co-funding approaches require employers to contribute to the cost of delivering employer led higher education. See A brief Guide to Co-funded Additional Student Numbers document produced by Middlesex University

2 The Institute for Work Based Learning at Middlesex University operates a flexible Work Based Learning Framework that includes project based modules of varying sizes at all higher education levels that can be combined to construct a wide variety of awards.

3 AP(E)L – The accreditation of prior and experiential learning, this includes the recognition of prior certificated learning

 

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