We want to make sure you have the best possible chance of securing investment for your project. Before proceeding with your application, we urge you to spend a few moments considering the points outlined below.
If your Stage 1 application is shortlisted, and we invite you to complete the Stage 2 form, we will be looking for detailed responses to each of these questions.
Do you have sufficient evidence of the need for your project?
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| Have you gathered evidence of the need amongst your beneficiary groups for what your project will deliver? For example, have you performed any market research, gathered survey data, or already piloted your ideas? Evidence of demand for your project outputs strengthens your proposal. |
Can you clearly define your project outputs and outcomes?
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| When assessing each application, we want to see what impact your project has on the individuals, organisations or communities you aim to benefit. If you are clear on the objectives of your project, then it should be fairly easy to identify what you intend to achieve by the end of your project. Remember, you should identify both outputs (that should be measurable whenever possible) and outcomes, which are change indicators. |
How are you planning to monitor and measure the change that your project will deliver?
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| If your application is successful, you will be expected to complete regular monitoring forms and a final evaluation report, outlining progress against your objectives. For more information on Nominet Trust's approach to evaluation please read the guidance notes on Evaluating your Project. At the start of your project, you should think about how you are going to gather information relating to your outputs and outcomes, so that you can report on what you have delivered and the impact of the change your project has effected. As a guide, we recommend that a minimum of 5% of your project budget should be allocated for monitoring and evaluation. |
What other sources of funding have you explored? Is part-funding viable?
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| As part of our decision-making process, we will look at whether or not other funders have already committed financial (or other) support to your project, or if you are in the process of applying for support. While match-funding is not a pre-requisite, we would recommend that you investigate other sources of revenue funding before submitting your application. |
How could your project be scaled up or replicated to increase its reach and value?
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| We place a high value on models, tools and methodologies that can be replicated or scaled up to benefit more than just the direct beneficiaries of your initial project. Will your organisation (or others) be able to adopt what you have achieved and implement it elsewhere e.g. in a similar organisation, or in a different location? |
Have you thought how your project can become sustainable?
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| We are keen to invest in projects that are sustainable beyond the period of our investment. We expect organisations to plan for how their work will continue once our funding ends. |
Will your project leave a legacy?
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| Can you describe the lasting foundation or footprint (tangible, or otherwise) that your project will leave behind as evidence of what you have achieved during the period of our investment? |
Can you demonstrate how your project will do one or more of the following?
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- Address a significant gap in current provision
- Develop or strengthen good practice
- Challenge convention or take a risk to address a difficult issue
- Test out new ideas or practices
- Take an enterprising approach to achieve its aims
- Set out to influence policy and change behaviour more widely
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If you feel you can address all of these points confidently, then please proceed to the first stage of our application process.
