The Innovation and Development Fund Overview

It is aimed at those who do not benefit from the Public Library Improvement Fund or the School Library Improvement Fund. The Fund is ideal for projects and activities which encourage creative service delivery and development, including the creation of new resources, research and staff training.

The Fund is open to SLIC members from Further Education, Higher Education and Specialist Libraries and Information Centres throughout Scotland. Applications must be led by SLIC members. However, applications that are cross sectoral (where library services collaborate with other services within their organisation and/or non-SLIC members) are warmly encouraged. We also welcome applications that involve co-production with library users.  

Every project needs to have a direct link to one or more of SLIC’s Strategic Aims, which is outlined in the SLIC strategy. There is no minimum or maximum amount that can be applied for but please keep in mind that the Innovation and Development Fund is relatively small. As a rough guide, applications between £3,000 and £10,000 are encouraged to allow more projects to be supported. All projects will normally be completed within 12 months, with library services observing the Fair Work First scheme where possible. 

Please note that applications can take inspiration from previously funded SLIC projects. However, the new project must be introduced in one or more new library services.