Notice

Pilot Recognition Arrangements Grant Programme: guidance

Updated 2 December 2021

This programme is now closed to applications.

1. Introduction

International arrangements to facilitate the mutual recognition of professional qualifications (or recognition arrangements) between trade partners can make it easier for regulated professionals to provide services internationally, outside the jurisdiction in which they qualified; and for domestic business to recruit professionals within the UK.

As the recognition of professional qualifications is a key non-tariff barrier to the trade in services, recognition arrangements can support UK businesses to export services and work internationally. Many UK businesses also benefit from recognition arrangements to support workforce supply, by making it easier for those professionals who meet UK standards to have their qualifications recognised in the UK. The recognition of professional qualifications is key to supporting exports in a number of professions in the PBS sector in particular.

To support the recognition of professional qualifications with international partners, the government is encouraging and supporting regulatory and professional bodies to enter into international recognition arrangements.

The government has therefore launched the Pilot Recognition Arrangements Grant Programme, using Section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982. This pilot grant programme is open to application from UK regulatory and professional bodies for professions within the PBS sector. These bodies have been identified for this support as they operate in high export value professions in which businesses and professionals regularly use the recognition of professional qualifications to provide services overseas.

The programme is targeted at supporting the costs of acquiring technical expertise incurred by regulatory and professional bodies in preparing for or negotiating a recognition arrangement. Successful applicants will be funded in arrears to reimburse 80% of eligible costs incurred until 31 March 2022, up to £20,000 for individual applicant bodies and £40,000 for group applicants.

BEIS will work closely with successful applicants during and after the funding period to monitor the delivery and impact of this pilot grant programme. This monitoring will inform future government support.

2. Background

Recognition arrangements can provide a streamlined process by which professionals who have obtained a professional qualification and/or experience in their home jurisdiction can apply for recognition of that qualification or experience in another host jurisdiction. Once recognised, this can enable the professional to practise in the host jurisdiction, subject to fulfilling any other regulatory or immigration requirements.

There are numerous options for recognition arrangements which regulatory and professional bodies can pursue, including Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

The UK has agreed an MRA framework under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) that allows regulatory and professional bodies to negotiate MRAs across all EU Member States. The UK has agreed a similar MRA framework in the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. We may agree other MRA frameworks with other international trade partners in the future.

Alongside these MRA frameworks, regulatory and professional bodies may also pursue independent bilateral or multilateral, regulator-to-regulator recognition arrangements.

For more detailed information on recognition arrangements that regulatory and professional bodies may pursue, BEIS has published technical guidance for regulatory and professional bodies.

3. Purpose

This pilot programme will provide limited, targeted financial support to qualifying PBS regulatory and professional bodies who are looking to negotiate and agree recognition arrangements with their international counterparts.

When negotiating recognition arrangements, regulatory and professional bodies may benefit from using additional technical expertise. The UK government is therefore providing funding for eligible regulatory and professional bodies to use towards the cost of the technical expertise they require. For instance, this could include translation services or the use of external expertise to help map the qualifications issued by overseas counterparts.

This will ultimately help regulatory and professional bodies, businesses and professionals to access new markets and reduce barriers to trade.

4. Who can apply for funding

Organisations eligible to apply for funding will be regulators that control access to professions regulated in law (when access to the profession is limited by legislation, or by provisions made under and given effect to by legislation to individuals who hold specific qualifications or experience), and professional bodies that award professional titles and voluntarily regulate professions without underpinning legislation, e.g. chartered professional bodies.

These bodies must operate within at least one of the four UK nations to be eligible for this pilot grant programme. These organisations must operate within the PBS sector, in professions such as accounting, audit, engineering and legal services. Organisations which correspond to professions in the PBS sector which are not regulated in the UK, but are regulated overseas, are also eligible to apply.

Joint applications are welcome from groups of regulatory and professional bodies from similar regulatory remits, but the group must delegate to a lead organisation (that meets the description of those eligible to apply) for the purposes of funding and reporting. The lead organisation will be responsible for ensuring delivery by the whole group, including providing evidence for reimbursement of costs associated with the grant, across all group members. The lead organisation must have full authority to represent the group and its members; BEIS will rely on the lead organisation to act for and on behalf of the group as a whole.

These groups could be regulators that operate in different geographic areas within the UK or those that oversee similar professions. This is in line with the government’s wider approach to encourage regulatory and professional bodies within similar regulatory spaces across the UK, to coordinate and pursue the maximum benefit for UK professionals.

In order to be eligible for funding, applicants and consortium members must not be commercial undertakings. Where an organisation carries out a mix of commercial and non-commercial activities, it is eligible to apply but must confirm in writing that this grant will not cross-subsidise commercial activities carried out by the applicant or consortium members. Applicants must provide such evidence as BEIS requires, which may include evidence of the applicant’s accounts, to demonstrate that no cross-subsidy has taken place. Any funding issued will be subject to claw-back provisions, in line with the standard terms of government grant funding.

This means that exclusively commercial organisations, such as businesses, will not be eligible to apply for funding either on their own or as members of a consortium.

5. Grant form and structure

The maximum application amount for individual applicants is £20,000, to reimburse no more than 80% of costs incurred developing a recognition arrangement. Where a group application can provide evidence for needs which surpass this threshold, BEIS will consider bids up to a maximum amount of £40,000. See further information on scoring criteria.

All proposed external technical expertise must be supplied, invoiced and settled by 31 March 2022 and must be in support of the development of a specific recognition arrangement or for planning to do so. Arrangements and negotiations on those arrangements will not be required to conclude by 31 March 2022 to be considered eligible. Funding will not be dependent on the successful outcome of the proposed recognition arrangement, although applications will be assessed based on projected achievability as one of the criteria.

Given the need for external expertise to be invoiced by 31 March 2022, we expect bids to be commensurate with organisations’ ability to settle invoices in this timeframe. Only applications from eligible organisations that can demonstrate financial viability will be considered and applicants will be required to evidence this through the application process.

6. What we will fund

Successful applicants will be able to claim up to 80% of costs as reimbursement in arrears for technical expertise contracted externally, up to the maximum amount detailed in the Grant form and structure section. Externally contracted technical expertise eligible for reimbursement through the programme could include, but is not restricted to:

• translation of documents and communications for recognition arrangements
• technical research needed to underpin the development of recognition arrangements between regulatory and professional bodies and international counterparts, for example assessment of the standards and requirements of different regulatory and professional bodies
• legal drafting for recognition arrangements

BEIS will also consider applications for other externally contracted technical expertise that will facilitate the negotiation of recognition arrangements, in line with the funding rules. BEIS may get in touch with applicants to discuss proposals in more detail.

To note: Funds cannot be used to reimburse the existing costs of eligible organisations, such as staff salaries or travel expenses. Funds also cannot be used for external expertise that is not aligned with the evidence requirements for contributing to a recognition arrangement, outlined in Section 7 and Annex A. All funding will be subject to claw-back provisions, in line with the standard terms of government grant funding.

7. Assessment criteria

Applications will be scored against the following criteria, and ranked according to the highest overall score, in an objective manner:

• deliverability of the proposed recognition arrangement, towards which technical expertise is required
• projected economic value of the proposed recognition arrangement
• evidence of financial need for the technical expertise as part of preparations for or negotiations towards the proposed recognition arrangement
• how proposed arrangements will provide wider benefit to the UK. This may include, but is not limited to:
  • supporting and expanding exports of the UK’s services sector globally
  • upholding the Common Travel Area between the UK and Ireland, in line with the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the UK and Irish governments
  • maximising the influence of all 4 nations of the UK by offering routes to recognition in all jurisdictions of the UK

Funding will then be awarded to the highest-ranking applications. For further information on the criteria used to assess applications, please refer to Annex A – Scoring Criteria.

8. How to apply (now closed to applications)

Eligible organisations are invited to complete the online application form. Applicants should then send the completed application form and all requested documents to the BEIS Recognition Arrangements team at: RecognitionArrangements@BEIS.gov.uk.

Applicants must submit the following information:

• project details for the proposed recognition arrangement
• contact details for the lead applicant, including Companies House registration number or charity number
• names of partner applicants (if applicable)
• details of other government funding since 1 April 2019
• evidence of eligibility, in line with the government’s criteria
• a business case for the deliverability and projected economic value of the proposed recognition arrangement
• evidence of financial need for grant funding
• evidence of the proposed recognition arrangement’s alignment with UK government objectives
• a project plan for the lifecycle of the project
• a detailed risk management plan
• a copy of the lead applicant’s latest published accounts
• a copy of the lead applicant’s governing documents
• a data management plan
• a detailed financial breakdown of costs and resources for this grant
• confirmation of there being in place an Equal Opportunities Policy Statement, Health and Safety Policy Statement and Staffing Structure for the project

The second window for submitting applications to BEIS will run for 4 weeks from the programme relaunch date of 1 November. BEIS will endeavour to provide applicants with a receipt of acknowledgement of their application within 3 working days of submission. Applications received after 26 November will not be considered.

Applications received after 26 November will not be considered.

BEIS will conduct a fair and objective appraisal of your application against the criteria set out above. We will send a notification email advising you of our decision. Decisions made by BEIS are final and will not be open to appeal.

9. Approval of grant

If after considering your application, BEIS determines that you should be offered funding, you will be contacted to by BEIS to discuss and agree the content of the grant funding agreement before a grant offer letter will be issued to you. This should be signed and returned to BEIS within 5 working days of receipt. Applicants will need to ensure compliance with conditions contained in the grant offer letter to receive grant funding.

Grant funding will follow a reimbursement model in common with the UK government’s short form Model Grant Funding Agreement and in accordance with a pre-defined payment schedule. More details on the grant funding agreement will be provided to applicants in due course, for more information please contact: RecognitionArrangements@BEIS.gov.uk.

Upon receipt of evidence of actual costs as anticipated in the payment schedule, and subject to approval by the BEIS Recognition Arrangements team, we will endeavour to pay grant funding in reimbursement of 80% of those costs to your nominated bank account within 30 days of approval. If you have not returned, or there are errors with the Supplier Information Form you submitted with your application, payment may be delayed. Externally contracted expertise that is not supplied, invoiced and settled before 31 March 2022 will not be funded.

In line with Monitoring and Reporting clauses contained in the short form Model Grant Funding Agreement, the BEIS Recognition Arrangements team will act as monitoring officer for the duration of the project to ensure value for money and deliverability.

10. Evidence and reporting

Only the actual costs of externally contracted technical expertise will be eligible to be reimbursed in accordance with the prescribed payment schedule from the grant programme (always in arrears), and only those costs comprehensively evidenced will be included as eligible. Funds cannot be distributed or passed through to external contractors directly. The evidence required to demonstrate actual costs and performance can include, but is not limited to:

• Actual invoices paid (e.g. specialist external contractors)
• Bank statements showing payment for invoiced services
• Regular reporting of expenditure within eligible categories, showing reconciliation of spend to invoices
• Any other supporting evidence, which can be verified

You will be required to submit to us this and any other evidence we require to substantiate the eligible costs.

Successful applicants will be expected to attend regular meetings with the BEIS Recognition Arrangements team and to submit regular reports during the funding period, to contribute towards the monitoring and evaluation of the programme. Successful applicants will also be expected to submit an end of grant delivery report and where appropriate provide reports to update BEIS on the progress of negotiations beyond the funding period.

In accordance with the Cabinet Office Sixth Grant Standard, specific timings and detailed reporting requirements will be agreed with BEIS and written into the grant funding agreement before funds are allocated.

Should you require further information please contact: RecognitionArrangements@BEIS.gov.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can this funding be used to negotiate arrangements with EU counterparts through the TCA MRA framework?

Yes. Successful applicants will be able to reimburse eligible costs incurred in negotiations with EU counterparts through the TCA MRA framework if they wish to use it. For more information about the TCA MRA framework, and how the BEIS Recognition Arrangements team can provide support, please refer to the government technical guidance.

Will applications submitted by multiple bodies be permitted?

Yes. Where professionals are regulated or represented by multiple similar eligible bodies across the UK, two or more can coordinate to develop one joint application for a multilateral recognition arrangement, with one or more international counterparts.

Are multiple bodies in the same subsector expected to collaborate for funding, or can they compete?

This pilot grant programme is intended to support regulatory autonomy and there is no expectation or obligation on regulatory or professional bodies to submit joint applications.

The UK’s regulatory and professional bodies are best placed to determine which recognition arrangements would be most beneficial to the professions they regulate and represent. While each regulatory or professional body may pursue recognition arrangements in their own right, the government recommends that where there are multiple such bodies operating in similar regulatory spaces, they coordinate their approach to international counterparts where possible to enable a coherent, UK-wide offer.

It may be more difficult to coordinate across those sectors where professions form part of similar regulatory spaces but are market competitors, for example for chartered professional bodies which award chartered titles and designations. However, it is encouraged that some level of communication and cooperation exists in these circumstances.

Will it be possible for individual or group applicants to submit multiple applications?

Yes. Applicants may submit more than one application for different individual recognition arrangements. Each application will be subject to the same application process in Section 8 and scoring criteria outlined in Annex A – Scoring Criteria.

Will it be possible to apply for grant funding for multiple recognition arrangements?

No. The UK government wants to assess the impact of this pilot programme on individual recognition arrangements, therefore grant funding will be allocated per proposed recognition arrangement.

Will eligible costs still be reimbursed if negotiations fail?

Yes. The eligibility of costs is not dependent on the successful outcome of negotiations.

Will costs be eligible for reimbursement if the work was carried out this financial year but invoices have not been settled this financial year?

No. Work must be carried out and costs must have been invoiced and settled in order to be eligible for reimbursement in this programme to coincide with UK government funding processes.

Will the Pilot Recognition Arrangements Grant programme continue to support regulatory and professional bodies in the next financial year, 2022-23?

At this stage, funding is only available for the 2021-22 financial year. This is a pilot programme that intends to support UK regulatory and professional bodies to negotiate arrangements to facilitate the mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

Why does this grant only cover the PBS sector?

This pilot grant programme is intended to provide targeted support to sectors that the UK government has identified as being dependent on the recognition of professional qualifications to continue to provide services.

The grant programme is just one part of the UK government’s offer to support regulatory and professional bodies to agree recognition arrangements. The UK government continues to engage with UK regulatory and professional bodies to identify assistance and support to sectors and professions that require it.

What other support is available for UK regulatory and professional bodies that are not eligible for the grant?

The UK government is committed to support and encourage all UK regulatory and professional bodies. BEIS has established a new Recognition Arrangements team to provide advice, expertise and other forms of support to regulatory and professional bodies looking to negotiate arrangements to facilitate the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. See the technical guidance for regulatory and professional bodies looking to negotiate such arrangements.

UK regulatory and professional bodies with questions in this area can get in touch with the Recognition Arrangements team at RecognitionArrangements@beis.gov.uk.

UK regulatory and professional bodies are also encouraged to contact their lead department in UK government or the devolved administrations with any other queries.

Annex A – Scoring criteria and definitions

Scoring criteria

Criterion	Description	Weighting	Scoring (min-max)
Deliverability	- Evidence of projected deliverability of the proposed recognition arrangement - Details and timeline of when the technical expertise is projected to be tendered, invoiced and settled before the deadline of 31 March 2022	30%	1-4
Projected economic value	- Evidence of projected economic benefit to businesses and professionals as a direct consequence of the proposed recognition arrangement - Evidence of the number of UK professionals projected to benefit from the proposed recognition arrangement - Evidence of projected economic benefit to the profession and sector in scope of the proposed recognition arrangement, as a consequence of RPQ - Evidence of any indirect economic benefit to UK professionals, the profession in scope of the proposed recognition arrangement or the wider UK economy	30%	1-4
Financial need	- Evidence of projected costs for eligible technical expertise - Evidence of these projected costs representing a new, additional cost to applicants - Evidence of these projected costs preventing: - a. technical expertise from being externally contracted, and/or - b. negotiations with international counterparts from taking place	20%	1-4
Alignment with UK government objectives	- Alignment with UK government objectives, including but not limited to those criteria listed under section 7 Assessment Criteria - Projections of good practice or precedent to be applied to future negotiations towards recognition arrangements within the organisation, the sector or UK regulatory and professional bodies in general - Projections of improvements to the UK regulatory landscape or negotiations towards recognition arrangements, within the sector or to UK regulatory and professional bodies in general	20%	1-4

Scoring definitions

Applications will be awarded scores of 1-4 for each of the four subsections in section 3 (‘Grant Proposal’) of the application form.

Score (out of 4)	Definition
1	Limited demonstration Applications will be awarded this score where there is limited evidence provided to support the case for the proposed recognition arrangement, or where evidence is of limited relevance to the scoring criteria.
2	Acceptable demonstration Applications will be awarded this score where there is moderate evidence provided to support the case for the proposed recognition arrangement, or where evidence is of moderate relevance to the scoring criteria.
3	Strong demonstration Applications will be awarded this score where there is substantial evidence offered to meet the criteria, or where evidence is highly relevant to the criteria and strongly supports the case for the proposed recognition arrangement.
4	Exceptional demonstration Applications will be awarded this score where there is substantial evidence offered to meet the criteria, evidence is highly relevant to the criteria; and where there is evidence of exceeding expectations for the criteria.