Grant Application Expertise

The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is looking for expertise in writing successful major funding bids to help it deliver its Transformation Plan. The applicant will deliver a successful Expression of Interest (EOI) and initial Development Phase grant application for submission to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) Grants over £250,000 scheme. The core of this application includes the acquisition and redevelopment of a B-listed building in central Edinburgh.

Specification
Delivery to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Director of a completed Expression of Interest (EOI) for submission to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a major grant over £250,000. The total value of the grant will be in the region of £5 million.

Delivery to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Director of a completed Development phase (stage 1) application for submission to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a major grant over £250,000. The total value of the grant will be in the region of £5 million.

The Development phase application will be fully completed and ready to submit for the end of February 2025 application deadline as set by NLHF.

The initial EOI will be fully completed and ready to submit as soon as possible (e.g. October 2024) to provide time to meet the end of February 2025 application deadline as set by NLHF.

Both the EOI and Development phase application will be developed in collaboration with Society of Antiquaries of Scotland staff and trustees with advice from the More Partnership and others as required.

The EOI and Development phase application will include a persuasive case for support developed in collaboration with the More Partnership and supported by research already undertaken on the Transformation Project. Information on research already available for an application can be provided on request.

The successful applicant will assist with quotes, costs and budget for the project application.

The successful applicant will work collaboratively with Society staff and trustees, and the wider project team, to follow a work schedule and timetable mutually agreed at the earliest opportunity, and within two weeks of being awarded the contract.

The successful applicant will report to the Director of the Society, Dr Simon Gilmour.

Both the EOI and Development phase application will be to the highest quality as agreed by the Director of the Society.

The tender is for work up to £27,000 in value (including VAT) to deliver two documents. A successful application will be rewarded with a further £10,000 after completion of the initial project.

Terms and conditions
The applicant will undertake and complete quality EOI and Development phase (stage 1) NLHF grant applications before the end of February 2025, including the development of a persuasive case for support in collaboration with the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and external organisations contracted or otherwise directed by the Society. This will build on work already undertaken towards the application.
The applicants work will comprise and deliver all the key activities, objectives and milestones, services, deliverables and outputs as stated and laid out in the Society’s tender document and in any proposal bid submitted to the Society in response to the tender.
Both parties will follow a work schedule and timetable mutually agreed at the earliest opportunity, and within two weeks of being awarded the contract.
Initial milestones will include (dates to be confirmed):
1) The signing of an agreed contract
2) The delivery of a completed EOI for submission by the Society to the NLHF (mid-October 2024)
3) The NLHF response to the EOI
4) The delivery of a completed Development phase (stage 1) application for submission by the Society to the NLHF (end-February 2025)
5) The NLHF response to the Development phase (stage 1) application (end-June 2025)

On completion of work and on receipt of all agreed deliverables sent to the Society on time, in full and to high quality, the Society will pay the successful applicant in mutually agreed stages (dates to be confirmed):
- Payment 1 (30%, £8,100) to be paid once the contract is signed by both parties (September 2024 – milestone 1)
- Payment 2 (10%, £2,700) to be paid on receipt of a completed EOI for submission by the Society to the NLHF (mid-October 2024 - milestone 2)
- Payment 3 (10%, £2,700) to be paid on receipt of positive response from NLHF to EOI application (20 working days - milestone 3)
- Payment 4 (50%, £13,500) to be paid on receipt of a completed Development phase (stage 1) application for submission by the Society to the NLHF (end-February 2025 - milestone 4)
- Payment 5 (£10,000) to be paid on receipt of a positive response from NLHF to the Development phase (stage 1) application (end-June 2025 – milestone 5)
Any changes to the brief or methodology to be employed by the successful applicant will be mutually agreed in writing. Any such changes will not affect the overall cost unless agreed in writing with the Director of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

The main point of contact for this project and contract will be Simon Gilmour, Director at the Society. A point of contact for the applicant will be included in their submission.
Contact details to be made available at the start of the project.
This project will be carried out in as environmentally friendly way as possible and practical.
Any intellectual property which the applicant generates during this project shall belong to the Society. Such intellectual property may include (but is not limited to) copyright works, computer programs, designs, documentation, trademarks and ownership rights or other materials.
If the applicant generates any such intellectual property they will promptly provide full details to the Society and will not disclose any details to anyone outside the Society either during or after this contract period.

Evaluation criteria
Proposals submitted in response to this tender will be evaluated on value for money, quality of submission, and experience in relation to the criteria below. However, the full guide price is expected.
Requirements
Demonstrable successful experience in delivering successful major NLHF funding bids.
A track record of successful fundraising, including sizeable NLHF applications, relating to redevelopment of a listed building.
Demonstrable experience of delivering complex and persuasive funding bids to a tight timetable.
Experience of working with small charitable organisations.
Track record of bringing innovative creative thinking and fresh ideas to an organisation and/ or its services.
Excellent interpersonal and networking skills.
Experience of working with a heritage organisation in the UK.