We can provide general feedback and advice about your project idea if you complete and return a Project Enquiry form to us. This is a non-obligatory part of the application process, but gives you an opportunity to receive advice before embarking on the actual application forms. However, once you decide to apply, we cannot assist you with bringing forward your Expression of Interest, instead we recommend you follow the advice and guidance on this website in order to take this forward.
Once you have submitted your Expression of Interest (EOI), we will sent you an acknowledgement of receipt. Should we require any further information from you, we will email you giving a timeframe for you to provide the missing information. If you do not provide the information as required, your application will be considered incomplete/unsatisfactory. Once we have all information, we will check your application to determine whether it meets our eligibility criteria. If your project is not found to be eligible, it will be rejected. If your EOI meets our requirements, we will inform you of this decision and send you the necessary forms so that you can proceed to a full application.
Once you have passed the EOI stage, you will be allocated a project sponsor. This person will be one of the staff on the Loddon and Test LEADER team, and will deal with all correspondence with you and assist you with application guidance and explain any questions you may have about the LEADER grant process. It may be that your application includes some conditions or specific guidance, this will be explained to you by your project sponsor.
We can visit you to discuss any issues you may have face to face and talk you through the process. We limit you to two visits only per application. We suggest that you have the first meeting upon receipt of the forms and the second meeting to go through the completed application, this will ensure you have provided everything required of you before final submission.
Once your application has been submitted, should any further information be required by the appraiser, you will be contacted.
Your sponsor will also notify you whether you have been successful or not following a Decision Making Panel, and explain the next steps, including signing of Grant Funding Agreements, when you can start work on your project, the claiming process and providing reports to us on your progress.