Application for the Public Service Leaders' Training Fund

The fund's objective is to support its members in maintaining and developing their professional competence and education. Regarding directors and managers, emphasis is placed on supporting them to meet the requirements set forth in the government's management policy at any given time. The fund can also initiate projects for the benefit of its members that align with the fund's objectives.

Fund members become eligible for grants six months after the employment relationship begins and ends six months after the employment relationship terminates. Members are entitled to grants for the first six months of unpaid leave. Professional associations or agencies may be granted support for courses, conferences, training, or education directly related to the activities of the respective professional associations and agencies, which promote professional development of fund members, innovation, progress, and/or improved practices.

The fund's board consists of three representatives appointed by the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, including one nominated by the Association of Directors of Government Agencies. One of them also serves as the chairperson. The board may hire an employee to handle administration and processing of applications, disbursement of grants in accordance with board instructions, and recording of minutes. The board meets as necessary to review applications and the fund's involvement in individual projects.

Support is provided for participation in conferences, courses, recognized postgraduate studies with the approval of the relevant ministry, in accordance with the rules on employment terms for directors No. 490/2019, or other activities that align with the fund's objectives. The applicant's costs related to professional development, training (including coaching and mentoring or other personal enhancement in a managerial role) or knowledge acquisition in line with the fund's objectives, as well as travel and accommodation expenses resulting from the aforementioned, are eligible for support. Leisure courses are not eligible for funding.

The maximum grant amount for fund members is 1,000,000 ISK every 24 months.

Applications must be submitted to the Public Service Leaders' Training Fund electronically through the application system on Ísland.is

The board of the Public Service Leaders' Training Fund resolves any uncertainties, e.g., regarding fund membership or eligibility of applications, and addresses other issues that may arise. Fund members should carefully prepare their applications and specify exactly how they intend to use the grant and how it will enhance their general professional competence, as well as answer other questions asked in the electronic application process. Otherwise, applicants risk having the review of their applications postponed until improvements have been made. Once an application has been evaluated, the result is communicated via email.

Payments from the fund are made after the applicant has accounted for expenses incurred with original receipts or other verifiable means. An invoice that is demonstrably paid by the fund member themselves must be presented. At the beginning of each year, information is sent to tax authorities detailing grant recipients and grant amounts for the previous year. The fund member is responsible for retaining the original receipt for the expenses for which a grant has been received, in order to submit to tax authorities if requested.

The board decides what funding is provided to support projects of agencies and professional associations at any given time according to these rules.

Payment of a grant is contingent on the receipt being submitted within 12 months of the completion of the study/project, and the grant promise expires if the receipt has not been received by the fund by that time.

In exceptional cases, the board may deviate from the criteria set forth in item 5, taking into account the fund's objectives. Factors defined in the government's management policy, which are integrity, leadership skills, results-oriented management, and communication skills, will be considered when evaluating applications. These exceptions do not apply to formal postgraduate studies.

If a fund member is dissatisfied with the board's decision regarding their grant application and supporting documents, they always have the right to refer their case back to the fund's board with a reasoned argument. The application will then be reconsidered at the next board meeting.