IET and IMechE merge educational grant schemes
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) have merged their educational grant schemes in order to simplify funding for formal and informal learning support and to improve the impact of projects.
The newly created Engineering Education Grant Scheme (EEGS) has been designed to make funding applications to the institutions more streamlined and consistent, promote partnership working and strengthen how successful interventions are measured.
This move is the latest in a series of collaborations the IET is involved in, as it also works closely with organisations including Tomorrow’s Engineers, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institute of Physics (IoP) to support engineering-focused education initiatives.
Gareth James, IET Head of Education said: “There is a serious skills shortage in engineering, therefore it’s more important than ever for us to engage with young people and show them how exciting a career in engineering can be.
“By simplifying the funding process we’re making it easier for teachers to get the appropriate support they need to educate and enthuse children about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects. By providing them with the necessary funds and tools we’re able to help inspire the next generation of engineers.”
The EEGS will operate two funding rounds per year, offering awards of up to £5,000 for standard applications. Up to four awards of £15,000 each year are available for projects that can demonstrate wider reach, for example national projects or those set to have a strategic or long-reaching effect.
The scheme is currently accepting bids for funding until 3 March 2015 for projects taking place between 1 May 2015 and 30 April 2016. Eligible projects must help to engage UK-based young people aged 5-19 in learning about engineering or develop the professional skills of those involved in supporting STEM learning and careers awareness. The EEGS also supports projects that improve wider engineering literacy.
For more information and an application pack, please visit www.theiet.org/fund.
Notes to editors:
§ Interview opportunities are available with IET spokespeople from a broad range of engineering and technology disciplines including cyber-security, energy, engineering skills, innovation, manufacturing, technology, transport and women in engineering.
§ The IET is one of the world’s largest engineering institutions with nearly 160,000 members in 127 countries. It is also the most multidisciplinary – to reflect the increasingly diverse nature of engineering in the 21st century. Energy, transport, manufacturing, information and communications, and the built environment: the IET covers them all.
§ The IET is working to engineer a better world by inspiring, informing and influencing our members, engineers and technicians, and all those who are touched by, or touch, the work of engineers.
§ We want to build the profile of engineering and change outdated perceptions about engineering in order to tackle the skills gap. This includes encouraging more women to become engineers and growing the number of engineering apprentices.
§ For more information, visit www.theiet.org
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