Overview
The British Council is inviting applications for innovative and collaborative approaches to explore a more inclusive and accessible approach to the provision of English language teaching and learning in Vietnam, particularly through digital and education technology. This ‘Digital Learning Innovation Fund’ is a pilot fund designed to encourage partnerships between the UK and Vietnam which generate new research, insight and/or innovations to support Vietnam’s National Foreign Languages Project (NFLP) in its ambition to improve the teaching and learning of English in Vietnam by 2025, and beyond.
Introduction and background to the project
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We build connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with more than 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, education and the English language.
Vietnam context
With over 18,000,000 English language learners, approximately 72,000 English language teachers and one of the most rapidly growing economies in South East Asia, Vietnam’s potential for educational partnership and digital innovation is significant.
The National Foreign Languages Project was established in 2008 with a remit to ‘renovate foreign language teaching and learning in the national education system’ and an overall goal to ‘create a foundation for universalizing foreign languages in general education by 2025’. Prime Ministerial decision 2080 (December 2017) also references the need to ‘promote the application of advanced technologies in foreign languages teaching and learning, using e-learning systems which are suitable and accessible for all people so that they are supported to learn foreign languages wherever, whenever, with every device’.
Specification for digital innovations in teaching and learning
We are inviting collaborative applications in response to this open call from organisations across the UK and Vietnam. In light of the impact of Covid-19, which has accelerated the digital transformation in education delivery in Vietnam (a focus already highlighted in the 2017 Prime Ministerial Decision 2080 above), we are now seeking applications which spark innovation, and inspire new ways of working, through a digital-first approach.
We want to encourage collaborative new ways of working between the UK and Vietnam through this new fund – bringing together the likes of Higher Education Institutions, ELT suppliers, education publishers, EdTech providers and others. We are particularly interested in collaborations between organisations of differing scales who may not traditionally work together, from both the UK and Vietnam.
The overall objective is for UK and Vietnam organisations to generate new learning and insight through the design and piloting of digital innovations which address a specific English language need within Vietnam.
As this fund is an ODA fund, all innovations must meet the ODA and gender eligibility criteria (see details in the attached Call for proposal).
Key dates
| Milestone | Date |
| Application window opens | Monday 1 February 2021 |
| Submission of clarification questions | 1 to 4 February 2021 |
| Briefing session (with British Council and NFLP representatives) | Thursday 4 February 2021 9.00-10.30 GMT (16.00-17.30 Vietnam) |
| Application deadline | Monday 1 March 2021 |
| Evaluation process: Clarification questions to applicants and interviews (as appropriate and if necessary) | w/c 1 March 2021 |
| Successful applicants informed and grant agreements issued | w/c 8 March 2021 |
| Project and activity window | April 2021–December 2021 |
| Programme evaluation | January 2022–March 2022 |
Briefing sessions
Potential applicants are welcome to submit questions for clarification in advance and join one of two Briefing sessions where we will talk through the Call brief and answer any of the questions you may have about the Digital Learning Innovation Fund. Kindly inform us of any access needs, so we have ample time to put appropriate measures in place. All sessions will be run in English.
Please complete and submit the accompanying Microsoft Word version of the application form. Please submit your application using the form and email it to digitalinnovation@britishcouncil.org.vn .
Application documents should include:
- Application Form
- Budget form
Applications should be submitted by Monday 1 March 2021, 23.00 hours (GMT)
Applications submitted after this date may not be considered by the reviewing panel.
If you have any questions about your application, please email digitalinnovation@britishcouncil.org.vn and allow at least three working days for a response.
Applications can be submitted through the form, with a written budget. Applicants who may have additional accessibility needs and would prefer to submit their application in another format should get in touch in advance. We will endeavour to do everything we can to accommodate any needs.
We look forward to receiving your application.
For more information, please see the below documents.