# Ulster Bank calls for skills and opportunities applications - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/09/01/ulster-bank-calls-skills-opportunities-applications/ - Published: 2016-09-01T08:02:15+01:00 - Author: Howard Lake **The Ulster Bank has opened the second round of its Skills & Opportunities Fund which supports skills development and self-help projects throughout the UK and Ireland.** The total allocation for the Fund is £2.5 million in 2016, with approximately half this sum being allocated in this round. The Fund says its funding is to support organisations that help people in disadvantaged communities develop, [create or access the skills and opportunities they need](https://blog.curriculosolutions.com/job-related-skills-how-to-ace-that-job-application) to help themselves; skills that will enable them to get into work or start a business, now or in the future. ## Advertisement Funding will be allocated on the basis of seven regions, each with its own decision making board and differing priorities recognising regional differences. Grants up to a maximum of £35,000 are available. However, the Fund states that while it will accept applications for varying sizes in Ireland it will particularly welcome applications for smaller grants ranging from £1000 upwards. Projects which do not get a grant can be helped in other ways, according to the Fund. This might include offering skills and expertise to help get projects off the ground. Applications for round 2 of the [Skills & Opportunities Fund](http://www.skillsandopportunitiesfund.ulsterbank.com) are open until midday on 9th September 2016. * **[Irish fundraising body rebrands](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/10/12/irish-fundraising-body-rebrands/)**( 12 October 2016) * **[Irish wealthy now more interested in charitable foundations](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/10/14/irish-wealthy-now-interested-charitable-foundations/)**( 14 October 2016) * **[JP McManus opens charitable fund for applications](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/12/02/jp-mcmanus-opens-charitable-fund-applications/)**( 2 December 2016) ![Loading](https://fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/page-views-count/ajax-loader- 2x.gif)