Fórsa’s Third Level Grant Support Scheme for union representatives for the 2024/25 academic year is now open to applicants.  

The scheme is intended to assist union representatives in acquiring knowledge and skills that will help them to better carry out the role of a union representative. Financial assistance will be provided to successful applicants, so that they can undertake a certified educational course at third level. Post graduate qualifications are not covered.

Courses must provide qualifications and skills which will benefit a member in their work, union, and personal life. The grant is not intended to assist in the progression of a members’ professional development or career. 

The scheme is open to all union representatives. A union representative role includes performing any role on behalf of their union colleagues at workplace, branch, vocational group or other level.

To qualify for the scheme a member must:

• Be a current paid up member of Fórsa in good standing.
• Be able to provide details of their role, current or past, as a union representative.
• Have the support of their own union branch (an authorised Branch Officer will need to sign the form before submission.)
• Explain how the course content will assist them to better carry out the role of union representative.
• Be able to provide details of the course and verification of course fees from the course provider.
• Be able to provide evidence of having applied to their employer seeking funding for their course.

Grants are based on the gross cost of undertaking the course up to a maximum of €3,000 per year. The amount awarded to successful applicants will be decided by the Membership Services Committee. 

Applications must be submitted via email to bursaries@forsa.ie by 5.30pm Thursday 24th October, 2024.

Further details are available here.
Application form is available here.

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