The bidding process for ITF opened at the end of January, since then we have been recording the most 'Frequently Asked Questions' and felt that you might find it useful if we set out the additional set of questions here:
Q: Will you accept more than one Expression of Interest from the same organisation?
A: Yes.
Q: If other funding streams exist to support projects, can they be included?
A: The Fund is relatively small. Where other funding streams can be applied to support ITF projects, provided these place no restrictions on project outcomes and dissemination in the sector, they will be very welcome.
Q: Is it better for us to bid from an existing partnership, or are you looking for new partnerships?
A: Existing partnerships may be able to offer quicker wins. New relationships and links may promote newer ideas. The key to Expressions of Interest from existing or new partnerships is the value they can deliver against the aims and objectives of the Fund.
Q: Inevitably, you will have to turn down a number of project ideas. Do you have any plans to bring bidders together, even if their projects are not funded?
A: We had not thought of this initially, but it’s a good idea. We’ll look to programme activities of the Fund, and the Dissemination and Learning strand, to help unlock good practice and bring bidders – successful or otherwise – together.
Q: What is the ‘Academy for Procurement’?
A: Recommendation 12 (point 4) of the Diamond Report (published by Universities UK) was for the creation of an Academy for Procurement in Higher Education to help focus in England on particular procurement issues (download the Diamond Report).