Introduction to LeedsACTS! & Seedcorn Funding Call

Researchers - are you looking for a community organisation to build collaborative links with?

What is LeedsACTS?

LeedsACTS! is a partnership between the city's three Universities (the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Trinity University), and the many voluntary and community organisations in Leeds. LeedsACTS! supports the building of closer collaborative relationships between researchers, students, charities, and voluntary and community organisations to support joint work that benefits the communities of Leeds and shapes how the higher education sector engages with the city.

A core principle of the work of LeedsACTS is a focus on co-production of research/projects.

In order to provide a more structured and sustained programme of work, LeedsACTS! supports work around a variety of key themes:

 

Seedcorn Funding Scheme (Funding for Third Sector/University Collaboration)

LeedsACTS! offers small sums of seedcorn funding to support 4-6 proposals per year that build collaborative links between Higher Education and Community Organisations. The aim of the scheme is to provide greater opportunity for Researchers to come together with voluntary and community organisations to work together for joint action.

The scheme looks for collaborations that: 

• Showcase the mutual benefits of third sector and higher education collaborations.
• Translate and disseminate existing evidence from partnership working (e.g. publishing co-produced papers; attending conferences for third sector partners to share co-produced research; creation of plan English reports).
• Developmental consultations.

Themes: support at least one of the LeedsACTS! key themes (as listed above).

Collaboration: enabling communities to produce solutions; building research skills; use of data, documenting changing lives; understanding impact; influencing commissioning; smarter use of technologies; understanding policy change on communities; linking community networks.

Activity: joint meetings; events; information sharing; data sharing; co-produced research; case studies; good practice reports; staff exchange; student placements; research champions; mapping resources/interests.

What is the Process?

• A joint (academic with community partner) application is submitted. If you do not have an existing joint partnership, LeedsACTS! can support you to find a suitable community partner.
• Complete funded activity within three months of receiving funding.
• Complete an evaluation form within one month of completion of the activity.

How will applications be assessed?

LeedsACTS! is keen to support new collaborations and innovative ways of working. The focus of the activity could be to explore a collaboration idea, understand the work and interests of potential collaborators better, or use the time to create a more concrete idea.

All work must take place in the metropolitan district of Leeds. Costs cannot cover staff time, and projects must include both academic and third sector colleagues as collaborators from the outset.

A panel from the LeedsACTS! partnership will review applications and advise on the outcome within 4-weeks of the closing date for applications. The funding will then be administered on receipt of an invoice.

Scheme Deadline & More Information

The deadline for applications to this scheme is 17 April 2020. Applications should be submitted to Leeds.ACTS@val.org.uk.

If you would like more information about LeedsACTS! or the Seedcorn Funding scheme, contact : Sonja Woodcock on 0113 2977920 | Leeds.ACTS@val.org.uk | LeedsACTS! Website | @LeedsACTS.

LeedsACTS! Seedcorn 2020 - Application Form (docx), File Download