Registrants should look to address issues unique to their own context or practice.

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1 Research bursary guidance 2017 What is the bursary for? The EWC is making funding of up to 2,000 per research project available to individuals or groups of registrants who wish to undertake close to practice action research projects, in other words, projects based in your classroom or place or work, which will have an impact on your practice. What is action research? Action research is a term used to describe professionals studying their own practice in order to improve it. Undertaking an action research project provides an opportunity for registrants to develop skills such as evaluating their own practice and work, planning a research project, gathering, comparing, and interpreting appropriate data and applying the outcomes of their action research. Registrants should look to address issues unique to their own context or practice. We encourage collaborative projects within organisations and across sectors and registrant groups. The research project must be completed by 30 September Who can apply? The bursary is open to all EWC registrants. Applicants would need to register with the EWC for both financial year and However, the bursary scheme is designed to support close to practice research which impacts upon registrants current practice with learners or students. Applications A registrant may receive only one grant in a financial year. Applicants should read carefully the guidance information before completing the form. Applications will be evaluated on the information provided in the project proposals on the application forms only. Applicants are advised to consider all costs and activities before making an application, as later additions or amendments may not be accepted. All applicants must complete the financial information part of the form. The EWC will only fund activities it has agreed in writing in advance of the commencement of the activity. All forms must be counter-signed by the headteacher / principal / or line manager. In the case of a headteacher, the application must be signed by the Chair of Governors. Supply teachers or support staff applying for funding should have their application form signed by a headteacher from one of the schools in which they regularly work. Applications completed on-line should be printed so they can be countersigned (see above). Incomplete forms will not be considered for funding. Any changes to an original application must be submitted in writing. Please retain a copy of your application.

2 Criteria for success All applications will be considered by an evaluation committee. Applications will be evaluated against the following criteria: the rationale for the professional development need the impact of the proposal on the registrant s practice clarity of the proposal including realistic objectives and outcomes clearly explained evaluation of impact and achievement of outcomes value for money What we expect from you Recipients of the research bursary will be expected to produce a formal written report in either Welsh or English of between 3,000 and 10,000 words. We will produce guidance to help in the drafting of the report, expert staff will also be available to answer queries. Recipients will also be expected to work with the EWC in disseminating their research, and promoting the bursary scheme. Mentor support You may feel that you would benefit from the support of a mentor who could assist you in planning and conducting your research. A mentor might be one of your colleagues with some research experience or a member of staff at a Higher Education institution, subject association, consortia, or research body. For help finding a mentor, contact research@ewc.wales What you can expect from us We want to provide you with help and guidance in undertaking your project as required. Specific resources on ethical research, report writing, and referencing will be available. You can also contact us with specific questions. research@ewc.wales We also want to help you share and disseminate the results of your research project. This might include helping you to prepare the report for publication on the EWC website and / or in other appropriate publications.

3 What funding is available? Registrants can apply for funding of up to 2,000 for an individual or collaborative / group research project. Applicants are advised to consider all costs and activities before submitting a form as later additions or amendments may not be accepted. Eligible expenditure includes: Supply cover is available for school teachers / FE lecturers. Where supply does not apply, we will reimburse employers for additional costs incurred in releasing staff to undertake a research project. Reasonable travel and subsistence costs (see financial information for more detail) Childcare costs additional to those normally incurred Photocopying (to a maximum of 50) Purchasing of materials specifically relevant to the project, up to a maximum of 150 Expenses will not be reimbursed if they are incurred before the funding was awarded or after the claim deadline. Non eligible expenditure Funding will not be allocated for the following: Foreign travel Funding towards a formal qualification Research activities that have already been completed The purchase of technological devices Research and related activities that are also being supported by consortia and / or other organisations. Activities that have not been agreed in writing by the Council in advance Activities that would be considered part of a registrant s normal work such as updating a Scheme of Work, monitoring, auditing resources, etc. Scheduled termly meetings Capital expenditure (i.e. purchases of all hardware and other goods over 100 that have an economic life of over 12 months) Resources for learners The purchase of ink cartridges, files, general stationery Venue costs; other than for specialist facilities The writing of higher education (eg MA / Med / DEd / Phd) assignment essays Services that do not contribute directly to a registrant s professional development e.g. typing reports, binding reports, transcribing tapes, laminating or printing booklets

4 Remunerating registrants for activities undertaken during non-contracted working hours. Alcoholic drinks Financial information and rates Claims must be made after the activity has been undertaken. Normally, only one claim per grant will be made. Claims must be submitted to the EWC within one month after completing the funded activity, this date will be stated on the award letter. If there are payments to be made to more than one person / organisation, all required information must be included on one Financial Claim Form. The EWC will settle the claim in accordance with the original funding request and allocation. Once a claim has been settled a registrant will not be allowed to submit another claim even if they have not used up their allocated funding. In exceptional circumstances, the EWC will consider a request for an interim payment. In circumstances where an interim payment has been made but the activity is not completed, the EWC will take steps to recover the money. Supply/cover costs For qualified supply teachers; these are paid at a flat-rate of 170 per day ( 85 per half day). For supply support staff; these are paid at a flat rate of 85 per day ( per half day). For additional costs involved in releasing staff to conduct research, we will reimburse employers at a flat rate of 170 per day, or 85 per half day. The EWC will only reimburse supply/cover costs to employers. The cost of supply teachers / support staff should be claimed on the Supply Claim form and payment details included on the Financial Claim form. In all cases the name of the supply teacher / support staff must be included along with their Teacher Reference Number or contact details. Receipts need to be provided to account for all expenditure except car mileage expenses. Receipts must contain details of goods purchased, including till receipts. Travel costs Registrants should seek to travel by public transport and take the cheapest travel option. Travel costs will be paid at the following rates: Motor mileage allowances (p per mile) Motor mileage is reimbursed at a standard rate of 45p per mile, passenger supplement per passenger 5p per mile.

5 Where car hire has been agreed, the EWC will reimburse the hire cost along with actual petrol costs. Receipts are required. Normal daily travel to work mileage should be deducted. Actual car parking expenses will be reimbursed only if receipts can be provided. Rail / Bus travel The actual cost of a standard rate journey will be paid. Whenever possible and available appropriate saver tickets should be used. Receipts / tickets need to be provided showing date of travel. Taxis should only be used when there is no convenient public transport available or where luggage has to be transported. Where registrants would be placed at personal risk, taxis may be used. A receipt for the cost of using the taxi must be provided. Accommodation and subsistence rates The EWC will reimburse actual accommodation costs up to 95 per night ( 125 for London) Overnight accommodation in the UK will only be considered if the working/travelling day exceeds 12 hours. Subsistence costs: The EWC will reimburse actual costs of meals up to the following limits: Breakfast - 9, lunch - 6, dinner- 27. Under no circumstances will the Council reimburse the cost of alcoholic drinks. Childcare costs Additional care costs will be paid. Receipts from a registered childminder or nursery must be provided. Reimbursement The EWC will only reimburse the registrant to the agreed amount set out in the Award letter. Any amount in excess of the agreed limit will either: be the responsibility of the registrant / employer to pay ; and / or may be paid in exceptional circumstances. Requests in such circumstances must be put in writing in advance. Delays in claims or applications caused by insufficient postage are the responsibility of the registrant. The EWC reserves the right not to meet claims that are considered incorrect or do not correspond with the application. Claim forms must be submitted by 31 October No claim will be accepted after this date. Where the EWC has not reimbursed a registrant within 30 days of the receipt of the claim form, he / she is advised to contact the EWC research@ewc.wales

6 What happens next? You will receive an acknowledgement from us on receipt of your application. All applications received before the closing date will be considered by the evaluation committee. We will notify all applicants of the decision of the committee by 19 January Further information Please if you have any queries or phone

7 Important dates 8 December 2017 closing date for applications 19 January 2018 successful applicants notified 30 September 2018 submission deadline for final research reports 31 October 2018 deadline for expenditure claims