We want to help create new programmes that feed into the evidence pipeline. Our aim is to increase the number of evidence-based programmes available to schools, nurseries and 16 – 19 settings.

How it works

If you have an idea for an evidence-informed programme or have designed a programme that’s in an early stage of development, you can apply for early-stage programme development support through some of our funding rounds.

Each programme developer will get:

• move through a structured process, with accompanying resources, to aid programme design and the collection of early formative feedback;
• be supported to understand the evidence around the content area, effective implementation and professional development, and
• receive a fixed grant to support development.

Through this support, developers will:

• design and develop their programme and programme materials;
• design tools to collect feedback from participating schools and settings;
• lead the recruitment of schools/​settings to participate;
• deliver their programme and collect feedback; and collect insights and overall reflections on delivery.

Cycles of support

We offer different levels of support, depending on how developed a programme already is:

Innovation: Support to design programmes based on initial ideas and concepts so they can be tried out in a small number of schools or settings, usually around five or six.

Pre-Pilot: Successful developers will be supported to refine an existing programme design and deliver the programme to a small number of settings. The aim of this phase is to collect feedback on any changes made to the programme before proceeding to an independent Pilot evaluation.

What happens next?

After a programme has been through the innovation or development stage, we will consider if it is ready for progression through EEF’s evidence pipeline through assessment against our readiness for pilot criteria. These include the level of development/​codification, the evidence supporting its theory of change, indications of feasibility and acceptability, difference to business as usual, the capacity of the delivery team. We don’t expect to continue to support all the projects but we do have an aspiration that some will move to a EEF pilot evaluation working with an independent evaluator to understand the feasibility of the programmes.

For developers that receive pre-Pilot developmental support, we would expect their programmes to move straight into a Pilot evaluation if the programme still shows promise at the end of the phase.