Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions about the Vocational Education Fund.  

It is possible to check whether a project is eligible for funding by submitting an application with information about the project and how it relates to the applicant’s work, without needing to provide invoices and/or payment receipts. Applications are answered via messages on "My Pages", where it will be stated whether the project is eligible for funding and which documents need to be submitted in order for the grant to be disbursed.  

The main rule of the Vocational Education Fund is that projects must generally relate to the applicant’s current job. 

In the fund’s allocation rules (Article 3.3), specific examples are given of non-eligible expenses (note, however, that this is not an exhaustive list, and it is always possible to check whether a project is eligible for funding before incurring any costs):

Self-help and/or empowerment classes courses, studies, or conferences

Retirement courses or other equivalent courses.  

Leisure courses, studies, and/or conferences

Material costs, such as the purchase of computers, books, magazines, programs, software solutions, etc.

Membership, subscription, and service fees

Costs related to obtaining a general driver’s license

Costs for projects that a spouse, child/children, or other close relatives of the fund member wish to attend

Expenses paid with frequent flyer points or other forms of loyalty points.  

Projects where an instructor travels from Iceland to deliver a course/presentation/lecture abroad

Individual counseling and/or private lessons

Invoices and payment receipts are usually required with the application. However, the type of supporting documents may vary depending on the nature of the grant. 

Supporting documents must be submitted through My Pages. The grant amount is based on the submitted invoices, and proof of payment is required. Grants are only issued for invoices that are in the applicant’s name. So-called e-tickets from airlines and booking confirmations do not constitute sufficient proof of payment. 

When applying for a grant related to educational trips and organized professional visits, in addition to invoices and payment receipts, an official letter signed by the applicant's supervisor or trip organizer and/or a list of participants must be submitted. A detailed itinerary of the professional part of the trip must also be included, specifying the locations visited, the content of each visit or presentation, and the schedule. 

Which supporting documents are required with the application? 

Yes, it is possible to submit a maximum of two applications for each project.

Suppose someone is applying for a grant to attend a conference abroad where the conference fee and flight costs are paid in advance, but accommodation is not paid until arrival at the hotel. In that case, it is possible to submit an initial application for the conference fee and flight costs so that those expenses can be reimbursed. Once the accommodation has been paid, a new application is submitted. This second application does not need to be as detailed—only a note stating that it is the continuation of the earlier application is required. 

Can I submit two applications for the same project? 

The Vocational Education Fund provides grants to fund members for participation in professionally organized visits or educational trips, both domestically and abroad, provided that the topic of the trip is related to their professional field or job. The following costs are eligible for funding: 

Travel expenses (airfare or a fixed domestic travel allowance)

Fixed travel allowance abroad (for travel to and from the airport abroad)

Please note: The fund does not cover expenses for local transportation within cities, meals, or loss of income. 

A detailed educational itinerary must accompany the application, describing the trip, its purpose, and objectives. It must also list the locations visited, detailed information on the content presented at each location, the name of the instructor or presenter, and the schedule.

An itinerary for a professionally organized visit or study trip abroad must span at least two days and include a minimum of eight hours of formal educational content.

An itinerary for a professionally organized visit or study trip within the country must include at least six hours of formal educational content.

Site visits, team-building activities, consultation meetings, and meal or coffee breaks are not considered part of the formal educational itinerary.

Applications must include a signed letter and/or participant list (PDF) from a supervisor confirming the member’s participation in the trip, including the applicant’s name and ID number.

For international professionally organized trips, the program must span at least two days, with a minimum of 8 hours of educational content. 
For domestic trips, the educational program must include at least 6 hours of instruction. 

Applications must include a list of participants and/or a signed letter from a supervisor or trip organizer confirming the applicant’s participation. 
A detailed itinerary of the professional part of the trip must also be submitted, clearly listing: 

the content of each session or presentation, and 

Note: 
Only the Vocational Training Fund provides grants to individuals for educational and professional visits. The Career Development Center (Starfsþróunarsetur) does not provide such grants to individuals.

Excursions – how does that grant work? 

If an application is submitted for expenses paid by someone other than the applicant, an invoice addressed to the payer must be included. In addition, the applicant must submit proof of a bank transfer for their share of the cost to the person who paid the total amount. 

This arrangement may, for example, apply to trips abroad where two people share a room. 

It is therefore perfectly acceptable to apply for a grant for one’s own portion of the cost, provided that the relevant invoices and transfer confirmations are submitted. 

If one person in the group pays and I transfer money to them? 

The Vocational Education Fund of BHM and the Career Development Center are very similar in many ways. Both funds allow members to apply for grants to cover the cost of education, courses, and conferences, as well as travel expenses related to these activities. 

The main differences between the Vocational Education Fund and the Career Development Center are as follows: 

The maximum grant from the Vocational Education Fund is ISK 160,000 over a 24-month period. The maximum individual grant from the Career Development Center is ISK 600,000 over a 24-month period. 

The Vocational Education Fund generally requires that the project be directly related to the applicant’s job in order to qualify for a grant. In contrast, the Career Development Center does not require that the project be directly related to the applicant’s job. While grants are certainly awarded for projects connected to one’s job or field, grants may also be awarded for unrelated projects that are considered part of career development. 

The Career Development Center provides grants to individuals, institutions, non-profit organizations, municipalities, trade unions, BHM, and the Icelandic Government Human Resource Department. The Vocational Education Fund, on the other hand, only provides grants to individuals. 

The Vocational Education Fund offers grants for educational trips and organized professional visits. The Career Development Center does not provide grants for such visits.

The difference between the Vocational Education Fund and the Career Development Center 

Yes, it is possible, provided that the project is deemed eligible for funding in both funds.

If a BHM member has a receipt for, for example, ISK 1,000,000 in tuition fees, they may apply for a grant from both the BHM Vocational Education Fund and the Career Development Center to help cover these fees. 

It is important to note that the combined grant amount from both funds may never exceed the actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the applicant. 

Can I submit applications for the same project to both the Vocational Education Fund and the Career Development Center? 

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Acquiring fresh knowledge and expertise can unlock new opportunities and empower individuals in their professional journeys. The Vocational Education Fund provides support to its members in their pursuit of ongoing education and knowledge acquisition.

All members who have contributed to the BHM Vocational Education Fund for a total of six months, thereof three consecutive months before the grant event occurs, are eligible for grants. Eligible projects must be relevant to the fund member's occupation.

Applications are submitted electronically through My BHM (Mínar síður). Grants are usually disbursed on weekly.

FAQ

Vocational Education Fund.

Is the project eligible?