EU Funds for HE

The EU Funds for HE website has been set up by Martin McCauley and Joanne Holt. Colleagues in HEIs may know Joanne and Martin from their 20 years working for the HE Sector.  Initially as the HEESF Unit (1991 to 2008) they supported 133 Institutions to deliver 1750 ESF projects worth over £200m. ESF projects involved a range of activities including widening participation; delivery of post graduate training; business and community engagement; curriculum development and research.  From 2009 to 2011 they worked for HEEFS (Higher Education European Funding Services) offering information, advice and support to UK HEIs on more than 20 EU funding Programmes.  HEEFS engaged with more than 150 HEIs; visited more than 30; and hosted events attended by 200 delegates from 75 HEIs.  Joanne and Martin worked directly with colleagues from 12 Institutions to map opportunities, develop projects and submit applications.

A growing number of UK HEIs are looking to develop projects using EU funding but find it difficult to get started.  Barriers to their participation include, for instance, low levels of knowledge; lack of internal expertise and limited access to external support.

The remit of HEEFS was to provide information, advice and support to HEIs wishing to participate in these Programmes.  In July 2011, as part of the legacy arrangements for HEEFS it was decided that the information role should be provided for within the UK HE Sector.  Joanne and Martin decided that they would continue the advice and support services they previously offered at HEEFS by working with Institutions on a freelance basis. 

Please browse the website to find out more about the freelance services on offer.