Education

About

Applying for Support

We take a proactive approach to the work we wish to support and so the vast majority of unsolicited proposals we receive are unsuccessful. We are however willing to consider exceptional proposals which fit closely with our specific aims and focus areas.

This website gives a good indication of the type of education programmes and areas of work we are interested in. In particular, please note that we are not seeking to support initiatives in the Early Years or Primary sectors, mainly focusing instead on the Secondary and Further Education sectors. Please also note that we do not give direct support to individuals, educational tuition fees, scholarships, or expeditions.

A key priority for us is our work seeking to improve the supply and status of technicians and those in the UK workforce with STEM skills at Levels 3, 4 and 5 - and proposals focused on this aim are much more likely to receive support. We are, for example, willing to consider proposals for research which informs our understanding of the supply of and demand for technicians, or projects which showcase the work of technicians in particular sectors. 

We also take a keen interest in the technical education required by technicians. This is typically delivered either through an apprenticeship or a study programme at an FE college or other training provider, and we believe that both these pathways must be of consistently high-quality and meet the needs of employers.

As part of this work, we are keen to support the implementation of the reforms to technical education announced in the Government's Post-16 Skills Plan in 2016. These include the introduction of new, high-quality technical qualifications (including T-levels), greater alignment between college-based technical education and apprenticeships, and the development of work placements and bridging provision between technical and academic education. We also recognise that successful implementation of these reforms will require appropriate infrastructure to be in place, including engaged and well-informed local decision-makers (including LEPs, City Regions and Combined Authorities), suitably qualified teachers, appropriate training facilities, robust evidence regarding local and national labour markets, and fit-for-purpose funding levels and mechanisms.

If you feel your organisation has a project which might interest us, the first step is to complete the form on the Contact Us page, including a couple of paragraphs describing your idea.

If the idea is in line with our priorities you may be asked to submit a brief proposal (of around 3-6 pages, depending on the complexity of the project). All proposals will need to include the following information:

  • A summary of no more than 150 words
  • The aim of the project and how it fits with Gatsby’s education priorities
  • Background to the project (including national context etc)
  • Description of activity to be undertaken including expected (and measurable) outputs and outcomes
  • The long-term prospects for (a) impact; and (b) sustainability beyond the lifetime of the grant
  • How the project will be evaluated
  • Timeline
  • Budget by Gatsby financial year (April to March)

Shortly after receipt of this proposal the relevant member of the Gatsby education team will contact you to discuss next steps.