These terms and conditions govern the Call for Ideas from Nesta, working with the Office for Civil Society (OCS) at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), for the Connected Communities Innovation Fund ("the Programme").

Please read these terms and conditions carefully before submitting an Expression of Interest to the Programme. By submitting an Expression of Interest and any further proposals, you accept these terms and conditions and agree to comply with them.

The lead organisation identified in the Expression of Interest will be responsible for compliance with these terms and conditions by its partners and anyone else involved in its proposal.

1. What happens after you apply?

1.1 We will assess (with our partners including DCMS) any Expressions of Interest received by the deadline set out in the Call for Ideas and which satisfy the eligibility criteria set out in the Call for Ideas, against the selection criteria. As outlined in the Call for Ideas, shortlisted applicants will be invited to a thematic workshop to explore the expression of interest further with an expert advisory panel.  Selected organisations will then be asked to submit a further formal proposal to be further assessed against the Programme criteria.

We aim (but do not guarantee) to inform applicants whether or not they will be asked to shortlisted to attend the thematic workshop within 20 working days of the deadline for closing date of the Fund.

If you encounter any physical difficulties in completing the application process, please let us know so we can consider what reasonable adjustments can be made.

1.2 The decision of Nesta and its partners about eligibility, about selection of applicants for the Programme, and about the amount and type of support to be provided (if any), shall be final. We may publish general feedback on applications to the Programme, but will not provide detailed individual feedback or enter into correspondence with individual applicants.

1.3 Any financial or other support awarded by Nesta will be subject to acceptance of our grant conditions, satisfaction of legal and regulatory requirements and completion of appropriate milestones. We can only fund projects which advance our charitable objects and provide public benefit, and we may impose conditions and restrictions on private benefit or profit that may be derived from our support. Financial support provided by Nesta may not cover all the costs of your project and VAT is not payable on grants.

1.4 You and your partners must bear the costs of submitting an Expression of Interest and any further formal proposal and of participating in the Programme. You must take independent legal advice if you are concerned about these terms and conditions or your participation in the Programme.

1.5 We reserve the right to refuse to accept any Expression of Interest and/or further formal proposal; to suspend or withdraw the Call for Ideas or the Programme at any time; to vary the form and substance of the Programme or extend the deadlines; to reduce or increase the number of applicants selected or the amount of support available; and/or to reject any Expression of Interest or further formal proposal or withdraw a place on the Programme if you are in breach of these terms and conditions, fail to participate fully in the Programme or in the event of an actual or potential conflict of interest.

1.6 We reserve the right to vary the Call for Ideas or these terms and conditions at any time and at our sole discretion. Variations will take effect from the date they are posted on our website, so you must check this page regularly to see the current version. If you provide us with a contact email address, we will aim to notify you of any changes.

2. Your promises to us

By submitting an Expression of Interest for the Programme, you confirm on behalf of yourself and your partners that:

  • You satisfy the eligibility criteria set out in the Call for Ideas and that all information and materials provided to Nesta by you or your partners are true, accurate and complete and you will notify us immediately of any changes.

  • You have provided us with any information which might reasonably be thought to be relevant or necessary for us to consider your submissions to us.

  • You and your partners have obtained, or will obtain as required, all authorisations, registrations, licences, consents and permissions necessary to submit your Expression of Interest and further formal proposal, carry out your proposal and comply with these terms and conditions.

  • In participating in the Programme, you and your partners will act lawfully, ethically and in good faith and will comply fully with equality and anti-bribery legislation and with other applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and codes of practice, and will comply with our reasonable requirements, including in relation to health and safety and security, while attending interviews and workshops as part of the Programme.

  • Neither you nor any of your partners have any actual or potential conflict of interest with Nesta or DCMS (including with our trustees, officers or employees) in expressing your interest or in complying with these terms and conditions. If a conflict arises, you must inform us immediately and you acknowledge that we may then withdraw your application from the Programme.

3. Use of information

3.1 We will use information which you or your partners provide, including contact details for your staff and your partners' staff, to administer the Programme and to carry out evaluation and research. We may share this information with DCMS, anyone else helping us to run or evaluate the Programme and with other organisations funded through the Programme, to be used for the purposes of the Programme.

We will also let you know about other Nesta and DCMS events and activities that may be of interest, unless you tell us that you don't want to receive this.

3.2 Nesta and DCMS may carry out publicity and promotion for the Programme and publish our research and evaluation in relation to the Programme. You agree that you and your partners will participate in this publicity and you consent on behalf of you and your partners to the use of the names of your organisations, a summary of your proposal, and photographs/recordings of your participation in the Programme, in promotion and publications relating to the Programme in any media and online.

Any publicity which you or your partners wish to carry out in relation to the Programme must acknowledge Nesta and DCMS and be approved by us in advance.

4. Limitation of liability

4.1 Neither Nesta nor DCMS will be liable to you, your partners or anyone else in respect of any direct or indirect loss, economic loss or loss of opportunity arising as a result of your Expression of Interest in the Programme or your submission of any further formal proposals, any breach by Nesta of these terms and conditions or any reliance by you on any statement made or advice given by us, our partners or contractors. We do not make any warranty about the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by Nesta about the Programme.

Any dispute between you and/or your partners and/or any other applicant must be resolved between you and independently of Nesta.

4.2 Without prejudice to paragraph 4.1, our maximum liability to you or anyone else under these terms and conditions (if any) will be limited to £500. Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude or limit our liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or fraudulent misrepresentation made by us.

5. Governing law and jurisdiction

These terms and conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and both parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

Nesta is a charity registered in England and Wales with charity no. 1144091 and in Scotland with no. SC042833, and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 7706036. Our registered office is 58 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DS