UnLtd and HEFCE led a unique partnership from 2009 to 2011 to deliver the ‘Higher Education Social Entrepreneurship Awards (HE SE Awards). This £1 million programme supported the creation of 200 new social ventures by staff and students in 70 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across England.
Following the success of the HE SE Awards programme which provided a catalyst for social venture activity and raised the profile of social entrepreneurship in the HE sector, a successor initiative has been launched to provide a strategic approach to embedding social entrepreneurship support within HEIs.
This successor initiative aims to establish an effective eco-system for the development and growth of social entrepreneurial activity within HEIs in England, with UnLtd working in partnership with HEIs.
UnLtd will work with approximately 50 HEIs over an 18 month period to develop their support structures into effective and embedded systems which make it easier for social entrepreneurs to start-up and thrive. They will also receive private sector support from UnLtd Connect, matching each HEI with a network of local business professionals.
All 130 HEIs in England directly funded by HEFCE are eligible to apply and the selected 50 will receive funding for an Awards pot for social venture creation plus development support for capacity building to embed social entrepreneurship support within their institution. For the list of eligible HEIs please visit the HEFCE website.
To find out more about the HE Support Initiative, how to become a Partner HEI, the selection criteria and how to apply, you can download the Partnership Prospectus here:
We are now inviting Stage 1 Applications from HEFCE funded HEIs in England who wish to develop their social entrepreneurship and social enterprise support offer to staff and student social entrepreneurs within their institutions.
HEIs who wish to apply for the HE Support Programme can download the Stage 1 Application form here
Further guidance on the key areas for HEIs to focus upon when completing their initial applications can be found here
Applications close Thursday 31st May 2012
Completed application forms can be sent to: hesupport@unltd.org.uk
You can read about some of the HE Social Entrepreneurship programme Award Winners here: HE SE Award Winners
To register your interest and be the first to find out about the initiative please fill out the form below.
If you have any further questions about the initiative, please contact Lauren Croll on 0121 766 4570 or email laurencroll@unltd.org.uk
