The Technology Rucksack - how to apply for funding?

How do I apply for funding from the Technology Rucksack? What are the requirements? It is also possible to apply for grants for digital learning materials!

Get help to apply

Is your school in need of programming equipment but lacks the necessary resources to purchase it? As part of the the technological school bag bad Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training help you - and announce the entire NOK 15 million each year for the next 3 years for the purchase of programming equipment. Here you'll find some good advice along the way. Programming equipment is something that can be used in many subjects - including interdisciplinary ones. Whether you're a teacher, a parent, a school owner - or just passionate about giving children equal opportunities and access to programming equipment - we strongly recommend that you tell your friends and acquaintances about this unique opportunity to raise funds for the purchase of equipment. I MakeKit we produce tools for use in education, such as code clubs, educational institutions, schools, science centers, and maker spaces. We have chosen to call this system Wonder:kit! You start with the base kit Explorer, and can then build upwards with Buzz:bit, Hover:bit, Air:bit and Music:bit, which will be launched in spring 2021. These kits are intended for use by around 20 students, and we recommend 2 pieces per kit. These are very engaging kits, both for students, as well as teachers, hobbyists, and parents.

Who was granted funding in 2020?

In 2020, a total of 46 municipalities, 6 counties and 6 independent schools support for programming equipment from the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training. Her you get a complete list of which municipalities, schools and county authorities were granted funding in 2020. The application deadline to apply for funding to purchase equipment for programming in education for the 2021/2022 teaching year will probably be announced in April.

Apply for funding for the 2020/2021 academic year

For 2020, in the announcement from the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training there were four points in particular you should be aware of:

1. The announcement concerned primary school and high schools, not kindergartens.

2. The call was reserved for school owners who prioritize further education and competence development for teachers of programming.

3. The funds to be applied for shall be used for Current school year (fall 2019/spring 2020).

4. If you were granted a grant, the school owner is required to submit a report to the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training with information on how the funds have been used, deadline April 1, 2021.

Who can apply for a grant?

• Public school owners
• School owners under the Independent Schools Act that prioritize further education and skills development for teachers in programming. Competence enhancement measures are defined as credit-bearing further education or continuing education of at least 40 hours' duration.

If you are not one of the above, feel free to share this article so that they receive this information. You can help your school cover major expenses - money that your school is guaranteed to be able to allocate to other necessities.

Apply for grants for the purchase of digital learning materials

The grant scheme is one of several measures within the Technology Rucksack. The scheme runs for four school years starting in the 2019/2020 school year, subject to the Storting allocating funds for each year.

Who can apply?

Both municipalities and county authorities can apply. Please note: if several municipalities apply together, a joint number of pupils must be stated for all those included in the application. One of the municipalities must be responsible for the application, budget, distribution of grants and reporting. Independent schools can not search. Overview of digital learning materials that provide purchasing support.

Criteria for applying for grants

In 2020, it was a requirement that municipalities and county authorities:

• has an infrastructure that enables appropriate use of the learning materials
• has a plan for systematic competence development in the selection and use of digital learning materials
• provides assistance to schools in need of ICT support
• has the expertise to manage and update the Feide installation
• Involve school principals and teaching staff in the purchase of digital learning materials
• uses guidelines for quality in teaching materials in the subjects where they are available

Documentation supporting each criterion should not be sent to the Directorate, but the applicant may at a later stage be asked to submit this documentation. Application will be posted on this link grants for the purchase of digital learning materials.

Get help to apply

Please contact us if you have any questions: sales@makekit.no