Springboard+ is co-funded by the Government of Ireland, via the National Training Fund, and the European Union. Springboard+ is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science. It should be noted that to date no funding has been drawn down from the European Commission to support Springboard+ programmes since the initiation of the programme.
The most recent call for proposals in 2022 outlined the providers who are eligible to apply for Springboard+ funding. Evidence of programme validation is submitted to the HEA in advance of course commencement. Programmes that meet these criteria are eligible for funding.
Provider and Course Eligibility
Courses submitted by providers must either:
A. Lead to a higher education and training award that is included on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) at Levels 6 to 9, from one of the following Irish awarding bodies:
- Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), including combinations of modules from already validated courses leading to a major award. ( Important: Combinations should be submitted to QQI for approval prior to or at the same time as submission to Springboard+ to ensure adequate time for validation)
- Institutes of Technology
- Universities
- Technological Universities
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
OR
B.
Lead to a higher education and training award that is a comparable award based on recognition advice available from QQI. This criterion will be strictly enforced to safeguard learners and ensure that if they undertake a State-funded programme through Springboard+, the comparable NFQ level of that programme will be clear to the learner and can be confirmed by employers and education and training providers for the purposes of employment and progression. Providers will be required to submit a letter of verification from the awarding body as part of the application process in this instance.
As part of the application process course providers include the course fee which cover all elements of the course for participants. This is paid either in part or in full by the HEA to the course provider, depending on the participant’s employment status.
There is no stipulation in the eligibility criteria which states that the validating body for Springboard+ programmes must be based in the Republic of Ireland. These criteria were agreed with my Department.
The HEA monitors and audits the programmes funded under Springboard+ to ensure compliance with the scheme’s eligibility criteria. Providers are compliant with the scheme’s current eligibility criteria. From a HEA perspective, the Irish higher education provider is the beneficiary of Springboard+ funding. The management of the programme is a matter for each individual provider.
