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Microsoft Community Learning Awards – deadline 27th September 2006

The awards package consists of one cheque for £2,500 and, if requested, selected Microsoft software. Winners will be contacted separately to arrange software donations, which are subject to terms and conditions.

Microsoft® Unlimited Potential (UP) is the primary focus of Microsoft's community investments. UP is a global programme centred on partnering with others to provide technology skills for underserved young people and adults, through community-based technology and learning centres (CTLCs). Ultimately, Microsoft believes that by providing training and tools, we can partner to create social and economic opportunities that can transform communities and help people realise their potential. The Microsoft Community Learning Awards are operated under the UP programme to provide grants to a number of organisations providing IT training in their local community.

The aim of the Microsoft Community Learning Awards is to support community groups and charities across the UK who are tackling digital exclusion by providing opportunities for disadvantaged young people and adults to learn about information technology through community-based technology and learning centres.

The Microsoft Community Learning Awards 2006 will distribute 30 awards of £2,500 to community groups and charities across the UK. This is your opportunity to tell us how you are already providing IT training and how a grant from Microsoft could enhance the contribution you are making in your community. We are looking for innovation and evidence of the difference that £2,500 could make to your community project. Perhaps a grant would enable you to increase the number of volunteer trainers and their skills which would, in turn, improve the quality and quantity of IT training you can offer. Or perhaps a grant would enable you to extend your IT training to reach new people within your community, addressing key issues which today prevent them taking part in your activities.

The deadline for applications for the Microsoft Community Learning Awards 2006 is Wednesday 27th September 2006.

The Microsoft Community Learning Awards 2006 are open to community groups and registered charities in the UK that are seeking funding for IT skills projects for disadvantaged young people and/or adults.

Applications cannot be accepted from:

• Organisations or companies that exist to trade for profit
• Organisations that promote political parties
• Organisations that do not operate in the UK
• Employees of Microsoft Ltd or Citizens Online, their families or agents
• Individuals - although we can accept applications from individuals representing an organisation or group
• Local authorities, local education authorities and learning and skills councils
• Higher education establishments, tertiary colleges and universities
• Schools, city academies, specialist schools and sixth form colleges, providing the project relates to the wider community

The organisers welcome applications from religious organisations that want to carry out work in the community, but we cannot support projects that are designed to promote your religion itself, or where people must participate in religious services to benefit.

Applicants will be required to provide proof of their not for profit status. Please read our application guidelines for further information and terms and conditions for details of exclusions.

Any questions relating to the awards should be emailed to microsoftawards@citizensonline.org.uk. We aim to answer all questions as promptly as possible however it many not be possible to respond to questions received in the three days prior to the awards closing to applications, Wednesday 27th September 2006. You can also contact the Citizens Online team by telephone on 01793882800.

For more information go to http://www.microsoft.com/uk/community/community/awards/ as well as links to:

• Download the Microsoft Community Learning Awards 2006 guidelines as a Word document
• Download the Microsoft Community Learning Awards 2006 application form
• See a list of previous winners of the Microsoft Community Learning Awards
• Read the application guidelines
• Read the terms and conditions