The main purpose of this Fund is to promote and support innovative projects that have the potential to yield significant improvements in learning and skills sector practice or performance.

Learning and skills providers, such as colleges and work-based learning organisations may bid for funding, in consortia, for up to £50,000 for projects which are innovative and have the potential to drive up standards across all providers in the learning and skills sector.

The Fund is open to organisations in England whose primary function is as a provider of further education and training. The only eligible higher education institutions would be those with learning and skills provision funded by the Skills Funding Agency.

Bids from individual provider organisations will not be accepted in this funding round.

Applications are welcomed on a broad range of topics/themes and ideas. However, mindful of the economic climate, innovative bids that lead to the implementation of efficiencies or support the management of change are particularly welcomed.

Those interested in making an application are reminded that Round Three has a deadline for bids of 2 July 2010.

For more information visit http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/fif