What is the Development Project Fund?

The Linking London Development Fund is available to any partner who has subscribed to the Linking London network for 2010-11. The aim of the fund is to support projects that help Linking London achieve the objectives of the network. 

We can also fund some larger projects, which you can read more about lower down the page in the General Development Project section.

Priority Areas of Work

We have a number of projects that we are asking partners to be involved in, each project is worth £4000 and can last a maximum of 7 months. There is no need to write a bid application. To apply or find out more contact the designated Linking London staff member indicted at the bottom of each project description. Our priority areas of work are:

1. The development of short, accredited courses (i.e. under 120 credits) at HE levels 4, 5 and 6 click here to read more (264.38 kB)
2. Effective data sharing between colleges and universitiesclick here to read more (316.68 kB)
3. Embedding Progression Agreements within the Linking London Network  click here to read more (436.83 kB)
4. Clarifying Part Time / Flexible Provision  click here to read more (308.59 kB)
5. Embedding APEL / APCL across HE vocational programmes  click here to read more (474.35 kB)
6. Progression Agreements from Advanced Apprenticeships to Higher Education provision  click here to read more (267.28 kB)
7. XCRI - CAP the online prospectus / e-prospectus standard (TBC)

General Development Projects

There is no minimum amount for which you may bid but there is currently a nominal maximum amount of £10,000 per individual bid, with the aim of enabling all partners to benefit and in the name of equity.

Development projects have to meet the Linking London aims. In addition the following criteria apply:  

• Projects must be innovative and support new ways of approaching vocational progression and not duplicate work already done through the development project fund
• They should indicate how they will lead to and support the development of Progression Agreements and/or support vocational learner/employee progression to Higher Education
• Level 3 to 4 progression is a priority
• Equity across the partnership and across employment sectors will be considered when assessing bids
• Evidence of need (i.e from SSC, employers, skills shortage areas, etc) for this development work must be demonstrated in the bid document
• All bids should indicate how the outcomes from development work, such as course development, will be marketed, embedded and sustained in institutional practice

NB. Please note we do not support capital costs or pay validation fees.

Collaborative bids that include the use of credit transfer would be particularly welcomed.

Application Form

Click here to download the  Development Project Application form (60 kB)

If you would like to submit an idea for feedback prior to completing the full application form, you may submit an Development Project Expression of Interest Form (31 kB) to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Examples of Development Projects

To read some case studies of ongoing and/or completed projects, click here.

Development Project Fund Publication

Linking London recently published a report on the Development Project Fund. The report highlights through case studies, some of the project work that has been undertaken with our network partners, how much work we have done with our partners, as well as illustrating in what sectors Linking London has worked in. To view this report please   click here (1.06 MB)