The Next Step Grant
Increasing opportunities for career development to people from ethnic minorities and to people with disabilities
Background
Since it was established in 1999 the Diversify scheme has provided positive action training to people who are underrepresented in the museum workforce; people from ethnic minorities, disabled and deaf people and most recently those from less affluent backgrounds.
So far it has focused on creating opportunities for those people to enter the workforce, both as graduates and at management level coming into museums from other sectors.
However, support is needed to help individuals thrive and progress at different stages of their career. Diversify aims to change the very nature of the workforce, thereby repositioning and energising museums' offer to their audiences.
To achieve this we want to support the progression of people already working in and for museums and heritage organisations into management roles and positions of responsibility right across the organisation. Progression to these roles is often dependent on the opportunity to acquire greater experience and responsibility, a broader skills base and more in-depth knowledge.
We want to give ambitious and talented people, who are already working in the sector, the opportunity to explore their potential and take the next step. The Next Step Grant will provide funding and support to individuals to undertake a programme of professional development that is tailored to their needs and aspirations.
The Next Step Grant 2010
With funding from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council's (MLA) Renaissance programme, we are delighted to announce that we are able to offer grants of up to £2,000 to individuals to spend on developing their careers.
The Next Step Grant is open to anyone already working in or for museums and heritage organisations in England and who is a disabled or deaf person or from an ethnic minority.
Applications from the Diversify cohort are welcome, but you do not need to have previously participated in the scheme to be eligible.
Fellows will undertake an intensive period of professional development lasting approximately six months to plan their development and identify activities.
We are willing to consider a wide range of activities from leadership courses, specialist coaching, shadowing colleagues in another museum or even overseas study trips. The key to application success will be that applicants make it very clear how the activities they have identified will help their professional development.
Fellows will be encouraged to think creatively about opportunities that will bring them long-term benefits. They will have access to professional development resources and networks at the MA but will be expected to complete the scheme independently. The grant is designed to complement and be undertaken alongside the fellow’s existing employment.
What will you get as a Next Step fellow?
Timetable:
Closing date for first round applications is midday on Monday 25th October 2010.
Once your proposal has been approved by the MA, you should aim to complete your career development activities within six months.
All grants must be claimed by Thursday 31st March 2011.
When you have completed your career development activities you will be asked to reflect on your development and submit this in a short report to the MA.
Application criteria:
Applicants need to demonstrate the following:
The MA uses the social model of disability whereby disability is caused by the barriers that exist within society and the way society is organised, which discriminates against people with physical or mental impairments and excludes them from involvement and participation.
OR
Submitting your application:
1. Download and complete the application form and guidance notes
Download the application form (word)
Download the guidance notes (word)
2. Make sure that your application meets the application criteria.
3. Submit the completed application form to Emma Mitchinson, Professional Development Assistant, cpd@museumsassociation.org
The closing date for applications is midday Monday 25th October 2010.
Applications which are incomplete or received after this date will not be considered.
If you have not heard from the MA by Monday 22nd November 2010 then you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful.
Funded by Renaissance - the regional museums programme from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).
This advertisement is for a grant for Continuing Professional Development. It is not an advertisement for employment or a programme that will lead to employment. This is a strategic initiative delivered under Section 37(1) of the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Since it was established in 1999 the Diversify scheme has provided positive action training to people who are underrepresented in the museum workforce; people from ethnic minorities, disabled and deaf people and most recently those from less affluent backgrounds.
So far it has focused on creating opportunities for those people to enter the workforce, both as graduates and at management level coming into museums from other sectors.
However, support is needed to help individuals thrive and progress at different stages of their career. Diversify aims to change the very nature of the workforce, thereby repositioning and energising museums' offer to their audiences.
To achieve this we want to support the progression of people already working in and for museums and heritage organisations into management roles and positions of responsibility right across the organisation. Progression to these roles is often dependent on the opportunity to acquire greater experience and responsibility, a broader skills base and more in-depth knowledge.
We want to give ambitious and talented people, who are already working in the sector, the opportunity to explore their potential and take the next step. The Next Step Grant will provide funding and support to individuals to undertake a programme of professional development that is tailored to their needs and aspirations.
The Next Step Grant 2010
With funding from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council's (MLA) Renaissance programme, we are delighted to announce that we are able to offer grants of up to £2,000 to individuals to spend on developing their careers.
The Next Step Grant is open to anyone already working in or for museums and heritage organisations in England and who is a disabled or deaf person or from an ethnic minority.
Applications from the Diversify cohort are welcome, but you do not need to have previously participated in the scheme to be eligible.
Fellows will undertake an intensive period of professional development lasting approximately six months to plan their development and identify activities.
We are willing to consider a wide range of activities from leadership courses, specialist coaching, shadowing colleagues in another museum or even overseas study trips. The key to application success will be that applicants make it very clear how the activities they have identified will help their professional development.
Fellows will be encouraged to think creatively about opportunities that will bring them long-term benefits. They will have access to professional development resources and networks at the MA but will be expected to complete the scheme independently. The grant is designed to complement and be undertaken alongside the fellow’s existing employment.
What will you get as a Next Step fellow?
- The confidence to apply for a mid-career position and/or to work at mid-career level
- Enhanced skills, knowledge and experience
- The opportunity to demonstrate your potential and ability to your employer
- Recognition for your achievements
- Experience of networking regionally and nationally and taking an active part in the museum community
Timetable:
Closing date for first round applications is midday on Monday 25th October 2010.
Once your proposal has been approved by the MA, you should aim to complete your career development activities within six months.
All grants must be claimed by Thursday 31st March 2011.
When you have completed your career development activities you will be asked to reflect on your development and submit this in a short report to the MA.
Application criteria:
Applicants need to demonstrate the following:
- Their enthusiasm for progressing their career within the museum and heritage sector.
- That they understand and can take responsibility for their own development, and that they have given thought to their career aspirations.
- That they are currently in paid employment working in or for a museum or heritage organisation in England.
- Their readiness to take the next step in their career. Applicants should either have a minimum of five years experience working in or for museums and heritage organisations or equivalent experience in another sector and at least one year's experience working in or for museums and heritage organisations. Applicants should include both paid and voluntary relevant work experience.
- That they are willing to commit time to undertaking Continuing Professional Development (CPD) over an agreed period.
- That they consider themselves to be disabled or deaf.
The MA uses the social model of disability whereby disability is caused by the barriers that exist within society and the way society is organised, which discriminates against people with physical or mental impairments and excludes them from involvement and participation.
OR
- That they are of African, African-Caribbean, Asian or Chinese descent.
Submitting your application:
1. Download and complete the application form and guidance notes
Download the application form (word)
Download the guidance notes (word)
2. Make sure that your application meets the application criteria.
3. Submit the completed application form to Emma Mitchinson, Professional Development Assistant, cpd@museumsassociation.org
The closing date for applications is midday Monday 25th October 2010.
Applications which are incomplete or received after this date will not be considered.
If you have not heard from the MA by Monday 22nd November 2010 then you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful.
Funded by Renaissance - the regional museums programme from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).
This advertisement is for a grant for Continuing Professional Development. It is not an advertisement for employment or a programme that will lead to employment. This is a strategic initiative delivered under Section 37(1) of the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
