The Hg Foundation is excited to launch our first Open Funding Round in the UK for Computer Science initiatives supporting women and non-binary identities.

Our mission is for the technology workforce of the future to harness the talents of all, regardless of their background. Evidence shows that Computing degrees are a good way into a tech career - 22% of early career workers in digital or computing jobs, plus 19% in AI roles, studied the subject at university. However women, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, remain significantly underrepresented on Computer Science courses making up just 19% of degree acceptances this year. Moreover, those who do make it onto the university courses tend drop out at a higher rate than their male peers.

The Hg Foundation would like to help address this issue by finding programmes that support more women and non-binary identities to access and thrive in Computer Science degrees.  While all programmes should contribute to this ultimate aim, we are open to initiatives that intervene from age 11 upwards, ensuring that pupils access the best pathways into the subject.

We do not expect programmes to stretch their work across the full pipeline from age 11 through to undergraduate, but we will be looking at interventions that focus on key transition points across these ages. We recognise that interventions may also involve looking at other STEM subjects to support the overall goal of entry into a Computer Science degree.

Within the ~£1m funding envelope, we will also consider funding two or more programmes from different organisations, that target different stages of the pipeline and complement one another. For example, we may decide to fund one organisation working to dispel misconceptions and provide advice on routes into Computer Science in early secondary school; and a second, looking at supporting the transition from KS5 study into university, or from university into careers.

The Foundation has produced an internal rapid review of the evidence to establish which areas of intervention might be most promising. The review can be found here and the summary here. We encourage applicants to read this material and reference it, or other research literature, in their application.

A central conclusion of the review is that there is relatively little high-quality evidence on the impact of initiatives on Computer Science education and employment outcomes. To address this, we will support successful programme/s to be accompanied by a robust impact evaluation, looking at intermediate and (where appropriate) long term outcomes throughout the grant period. Programmes must be willing to take part in such evaluation and to contribute to the evidence base of what works.

Grant Overview

• This is a £1 million fund, aiming to support 1-2 programmes over 3 years in the first instance.

• A proportion of the grant will be allocated to evaluation.

• As with all our partnerships, there will be the possibility to extend the funding depending on the implementation and evaluation results for the programme/s.

• Programmes will launch from September 2025.

Programme Specification

Aim: Support more women and non-binary identities, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, to enter and succeed in Computer Science pathways from secondary level upwards.

Programmes should:

• Be based in the UK.

• Support participants to access and/or successfully complete Computer Science degrees either directly or by building the pipeline earlier on in secondary education.

• Focus on one or more key transition points from secondary school (age 11) through to undergraduate.*

• Implement academic support and/or outreach activities.

• Be operated by an organisation or a collaboration between organisations with a good track record of programme delivery in this area or a closely allied one.

• Have an evidence-informed Theory of Change that aligns with The Hg Foundation’s Outcomes Framework – see further information here along with our Evaluation Guide.

• Be willing to commit to an independent evaluation which will be commissioned alongside the programme.

*Please note, the Foundation currently does not support initiatives working with pre-secondary school aged participants.

Please submit your completed application form via email to Kymrun Dhami (kymrun.dhami@hgcapital.com) by no later than 17:00 on Friday 1st November 2024.

Timeline

Thursday 19th September 2024 - Applications Open

Friday 1st November 2024 - Applications Close

November-December 2024 - Shortlisting

Mid-December 2024 - Shortlisting Outcomes Announced

January – March 2025 - Stage 2 Reviews and Final Proposals

April 2025 - Successful Programmes Announced

If you have any questions related to the funding round or would like to discuss your programme before submitting an application, please email kymrun.dhami@hgcapital.com.

If you require an alternative form format for better accessibility, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we’ll be happy to assist. 

Computer Science Open Funding Round - FAQs 

1. “Access and thrive” – Does a programme need to support participants to both access and thrive in Computer Science degrees?
   
   We do not expect one programme to work across the full range of the pipeline from age 11 to graduation; we are interested in programmes that focus on one or more key transition points along the pipeline.
   

2. UK based – If an organisation is registered in the UK but operates in a different country, can they still apply for this open funding round?
   
   This open funding round is specifically for programmes operating in the UK, therefore we wouldn’t be able to award a grant if the programme isn’t for UK-based participants. We may host funding rounds for other regions in the future, so please keep an eye on our website and sign up to our newsletter for updates.
   

3. Evaluation budget – Should organisations include evaluation costs in their budget?
   
   Yes, please include an estimate for evaluation costs in your budget, but we are aware this may change if/when evaluation plans develop. Working with partners to develop a robust evaluation plan is a key part of the latter stages of the grant application process.
   

4. Overheads – Can organisations include costs for overheads in their programme budgets?
   
   We do not have a specific policy for overheads, but we would expect overheads to be proportionate and linked to the programme. Value for money and potential cost effectiveness are some of the factors we will be considering in selection.
   

5. Existing partner – Can an organisation apply for this round if they are an existing partner with The Hg Foundation or have received funding from the Foundation before?
   
   Yes, we welcome applications from all suitable programmes.
   

6. Iterative funding / pilot – If a programme would like to run a pilot in its first year, is it ok to submit a proposal for this with an iterative budget across the three years?
   
   We are looking to make three-year commitment. But, as long as the programme design is evidence-based, has a developed Theory of Change and is operated by an established organisation with a good track record, we will consider pilots that grow in subsequent years, if there is a clear need that is not being filled by existing provision.