Archive Pace Setter Scheme - Frequently asked questions
How does this scheme fit with other programmes?
We welcome applications from projects that link with other activity within the wider archive sector. There is the opportunity to outline within your application how your project ties into wider national, regional or local strategies so you can highlight where you feel your project might fit into a wider context. For example if your project focuses on business records, you might want to highlight how the project fits with the Business Archives Strategy.
You can also demonstrate within your project summary and more detailed project plan, where your project is using published methodologies (for example, Revisiting Archive Collections), or good practice guidance (for example, British Standards) or other activities within the sector (for example, Archive Awareness Campaign, or the Cultural Olympiad).
What funding will I get from the scheme?
There are no grants available directly as part of the scheme, but it is hoped that involvement in the scheme will support you with raising funds, if necessary (see below)
How does this scheme fit with applying to funders?
You can submit a project for Archive Pace Setter status that is linked to a grant funding schemes, such as schemes supported by our partners (MLA, SCA, The National Archives, Welsh Assembly Government) or any other bids for funding (for example, to the Heritage Lottery Fund). You can apply for Archive Pace Setter status prior to submitting applications to funding bodies so that you can state this within your application. This will not guarantee you funding from the grant-making body, but it may help to strengthen your bid.
What will I, as an individual, get out of being involved in the scheme?
If you are running an archive service, you can use the scheme to help you develop the case for your work within your parent body.
If you are less confident in developing projects, this is an opportunity to develop new skills, using the application process to guide you. As well as the written guidance about the scheme, you can get additional support from the Archive Pace Setter Scheme Manager.
Once accepted for Archive Pace Setter status, nominated contacts will be able to network with like-minded professionals from across the scheme and bring you into contact with a diverse range of organisations. As part of the programme, you will be able to identify learning needs and consider, as a group, how to support your learning.
The scheme places significant emphasis on the importance of project evaluation. This will give you opportunities as individuals, teams and as organisations to reflect on how the project was run, whether it met its aims and identify learning and development areas.
Developing an Archive Pace Setter project demonstrates your commitment to improving your service and engaging with the wider archive community. As an example of your commitment to driving forward service development you can use this to identify or affirm your potential as a leading archive professional.
"The Archive Pace Setter Scheme sounds like a good opportunity for individuals to pursue and obtain support for continuing professional development. Those including project activities in their portfolios for the registration scheme may be particularly interested." Sarah Wickham, Registrar for the Society of Archivists
I am working on a project with a number of partners, which organisation should submit the Archive Pace Setter application?
In general the organisation that is taking on the primary responsibility for the management of the project should submit the Archive Pace Setter application. It is recognised that in many instances the ‘lead’ organisation within a partnership is determined by the funding sources that are being approached to support the project. If you feel that the organisation that is designated ‘lead’ for the purposes of fundraising is not necessarily the best one to submit the Archive Pace Setter application, then please discuss this with the Archive Pace Setter Scheme Manager prior to submitting your application.
Is the application process time-consuming?
The Archive Pace Setter application form is designed to be a simple as possible whilst allowing an effective assessment of the project against the scheme criteria. For successful project working you should always consider in advance how to plan, manage and evaluate your project. In addition, if you are applying to a funding body to support your project you are likely to be asked similar questions to those outlined on the application form. Providing it meets the minimum information outlined in the guidance document, the application form allows you the opportunity to provide your existing project planning documentation to support your application rather than rewrite it.
What if my application is unsuccessful?
If your project is not accepted, you will be given written feedback on where it is felt the application does not meet the criteria. If unsuccessful, you may revise and resubmit your application during the timescale of the programme. The assessment process will be managed by the National Council on Archives on behalf of the Archive Pace Setters Steering Group. If you are unhappy with the application decision you should, in the first instance, contact Louise Ray, Archive Pace Setter Scheme Manager, National Council on Archives with your concerns (louise@nca.org.uk or 020 8392 5347). If you are not happy with the response you may appeal directly to the Steering Group.
Can I apply more than once?
If your organisation has more than one project that you think might be eligible for the scheme, you can make more than one application. Each project will be considered on its own merits and each will need to demonstrate innovative practice for your organisation
Can I apply for a project that has already finished?
No. Archive Pace Setter status can not be conferred retrospectively on projects that have been completed. However if you have a project that has just commenced and that fits the timescale of the scheme you can apply, as long as you can prove that you had the relevant information required to submit the application available at the beginning of the project.
Once I have received Archive Pace Setter status, will the project be monitored?
A critical part of the assessment criteria is that you have created an evaluation plan for the project prior to its commencement. You will be required to provide a copy of your final evaluation report as part of the Terms of the Award. Independent evaluators are being used to measure the success of the scheme overall, and they may require some benchmark data from participants, in addition to the evaluation report, to support their work.
What if the project does not meet all its stated aims?
Although we are seeking to use projects that are part of the scheme to celebrate the work of the archive sector, the partners involved in the scheme are equally committed to seeing the scheme as supporting workforce development. It is recognised that there are elements of risk in undertaking innovative activities, but by ensuring that organisations plan their projects carefully and undertake risk analysis it is hoped that projects submitted to the scheme are minimising the likelihood of failure to meet their stated aims. It is also an important part of the evaluation process that organisations learn, not only from what worked but also from what did not work so well. By considering any difficulties experienced in project delivery, both the organisation itself and the sector as a whole can benefit from the lessons learned.
How can I use the Archive Pace Setter branding?
Use of the branding will be outlined in the Terms of the Award. In general the branding should be used clearly in relation to the specific project rather than more generally by the organisation. For example if the project has its own dedicated web-pages the logo could be included on these pages. However, it is recognised that not all the projects that meet the Archive Pace Setter criteria, particularly those relating to implementing service developments will have such opportunties. Therefore the Terms of Award will be looked at on a case by case reflecting the opportunities that the individual organisation might have to use the brand effectively in relation to promoting the project.
last updated 16 October 2009