The Programme is a partnership between Nesta and the DCMS to support new ideas and solutions that will help shore up the viability and engagement in public interest news. Programme rules and more information about the Programme (the “Rules”).

Please read these terms and conditions, the Rules and our Privacy Policy and all information on the Programme carefully before submitting an application to the Programme.

By submitting an application, you accept these terms and conditions and agree to comply with them. If you are submitting an entry on behalf of one or more organisations or a team, you undertake to Nesta that you have the authority to bind each of them and that you will be responsible for ensuring that they comply.

1. Who can submit?

Any organisation that falls within the conditions of eligibility set out in the “Eligibility” section of the Rules can submit an application. If you do not meet those eligibility conditions please do not submit an application.

2. What happens after you apply?

2.1. We will assess any eligible applications received by the deadline set out in the Rules against the selection criteria set out in the Rules. We currently intend to inform the first tranche of shortlisted applicants of our decision by 20 December 2019. As outlined in the Rules, shortlisted applicants will be invited to interviews / development days which we currently intend to hold during the week of the 6 January 2020. Applicants may be asked to further develop their proposals or submit supplemental information. External selection advisers will provide Nesta with information and advice and the final decision on which applicants will be selected will be made by Nesta.

2.2. Our decision 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.

2.3. Participation in workshops and interviews, research and evaluation is a condition of participation in the Programme. Any financial or other support awarded by Nesta will be subject to satisfaction of all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, signature of appropriate legal documentation and completion of appropriate milestones. Any funds received must be through a legally incorporated organisation registered in the UK. We may only fund applications which meet our charitable objects and provide public benefit. We may impose conditions and restrictions on any private benefit or profit that may be derived from our grant. Financial support provided by Nesta may not cover all the costs of your project and VAT is not payable on grants.

2.4. You and your partners must bear any costs relating to the submission of your application and participation in the Programme. You must take independent legal advice if you are concerned about these terms and conditions or your participation in the Programme.

2.5. We reserve the right to refuse to accept any applications; to suspend or withdraw 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 for each phase of selection or the amount of support available under the Programme; and/or to reject any 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. If any selected applicant subsequently withdraws or is withdrawn from the Programme, we may select a replacement applicant, but will not be obliged to do so.

2.6. We reserve the right to vary the Programme 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.

2.7. If you are unable or find it difficult to complete the application process due to a disability, please let us know so that we can consider whether reasonable adjustments can be made.

3. Your promises to us

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

• you satisfy the eligibility conditions set out in the Rules;
• 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 to information or materials provided;
• you have provided us with all information which might reasonably be thought to be relevant or necessary for us to consider your application;
• you and your partners have, or will obtain as required, all authorisations, registrations, licences, consents and permissions necessary to submit your application, 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 any 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; and
• neither you nor any of your partners has any actual or potential conflict of interest with Nesta (including with our trustees, officers or employees) in making your application or complying with these terms and conditions and you will immediately inform us if you become aware of any such conflict of interest.

4. Use of personal information

4.1. We will use any personal information provided by you or your partners, including contact details for your staff and your partners’ staff:

- for the purpose of assessing and evaluating your application;

- to process your application for the Programme;

- to administer the Programme; and

- to carry out evaluation and research connected to the Programme or our work more generally.

4.2. We may share this information with DCMS, Social Spider, Kintsukuroi Consultancy, Thomson Reuters, Macroscope and Bethnal Green Ventures who we are working with the deliver the Programme. We may share this information with our partner our Programme partners who help us run the Programme, for example by providing communications support or non-financial support for the purposes of the Programme. We will tell you about this (including the identity of the relevant partners) before we share any personal information with them. Our legal basis for doing this is our legitimate interest of being able to work collaboratively with other organisations to deliver this grant programme.

4.3. We currently use a third party platform, Submittable, for submission of entries to the Fund. Submittable are based in the United States and that may involve your information being stored and processed outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Submittable comply with the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework and we remain the controller of your personal information in this arrangement – Submittable only processes your personal information in line with our instructions. Please see the Submittable privacy policy for more information. In using Submittable we are pursuing our legitimate interest to use third party technology to achieve greater efficiency within our organisation.

4.4. In using this platform we are pursuing our legitimate interest to use third party technology to achieve greater efficiency within our organisation.

4.5. If we need to share your information with anyone else, we will inform you about this before we do so. Any information that is shared will be subject to appropriate obligations of confidentiality and data protection. Please see the Nesta Privacy Policy for more information.

5. Publicity

5.1 We may carry out publicity and promotion for the Programme and publish our research and evaluation in relation to the Programme. You agree that Nesta shall be entitled to publish details of your and your partners’ participation in the Programme and use your organisation’s name and logo, and that of your partners, in promotion and publicity. Nesta may ask you and other individuals involved in your project to support and/or participate in promotional activities in any media and online on reasonable notice.

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

6. Limitation of Liability

6.1 To the extent permitted by applicable law, neither we nor DCMS will not be liable to you, your partners or anyone else in respect of any direct or indirect loss, or liability, costs claims taxes, charges or expenses, economic loss or loss of opportunity arising in connection with your application to, and your participation in, the Programme, and/or any reliance by you on any statement made or advice given by us, DCMS, our partners or contractors.

6.2 If you submit any materials or items as part of your application, you are doing so at your own risk. We give no undertakings to keep safely, maintain or return any materials or items. We do not make any warranty about the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by Nesta in connection with the Programme. Any dispute between you and/or your partners and/or any other applicant must be resolved between you and independently of Nesta.

6.3 Without prejudice to Clause 6.1, our maximum liability to you or anyone else under these terms and conditions and the Programme (including the Programme application process) (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.

7. 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, a company limited by guarantee with number 7706036 and registered charity with charity number 1144091. Registered address: 58 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DS