Thank you for your interest in joining the programme. Please read these terms and conditions before submitting your application.
The aims of the programme are:
Thank you for your interest in joining the programme. Please read these terms and conditions before submitting your application.
The aims of the programme are:
1. What you can expect from the programme
1.1. Foothold will support you throughout your course or apprenticeship to access;
1.1.1. A formal diagnosis of a neurodivergent condition.
1.1.2. Counselling sessions to help you understand what a diagnosis means for you.
1.1.3. Specialist equipment or assistive technology to support you in your studies/work.
1.1.4. Career coaching to support you in developing your career.
1.1.5. Financial support grants if you are struggling with money and meet the eligibility criteria.
1.1.6. Access to internships, coaching and mentoring through our programme funder Neptune Energy.
2. Eligibility criteria
2.1. Engineering students and apprentices who are studying their first engineering course.
2.3. Evidence of positive assessment or screening for a neurodivergent condition and/or a letter from a GP, psychologist or other health advisor.
3. Acceptance onto programme
3.1. You will be notified by email within 15 working days if your application to join the programme has been successful.
3.2. The final decision rests with Foothold to accept people onto the programme.
3.3. Our appeals process will be outlined in your outcome email.
3.4. If you are not eligible for this programme of support, you may be eligible to apply for our standard support. You can read more here.
4. Payments of grants
4.1. Student/apprentice financial support grants will be assessed according to our income and eligibility criteria and paid directly to your bank account.
4.2. All other payments will be paid on receipt of invoice directly to the provider.
4.3. Any over-payments are expected to be paid back to Foothold.
5. Monitoring & reporting
5.1. On entering the programme and at regular intervals, you’ll receive an impact monitoring questionnaire which needs to be completed for you to continue on the programme.
5.2. It’s anticipated you’ll participate in anonymous or identifiable stories to help us spread the word about the programme.
5.3. We will use your data in line with our privacy policy. If you choose to take up the career coaching, mentoring or internship opportunities via Neptune Energy we will share your name and contact details with them.
6. Termination
6.1. You will remain on the programme until you have completed your engineering course or apprenticeship.
6.2. Support from Foothold will continue for 12 months post completion of your course or apprenticeship.
6.3. If you leave your course or apprenticeship, you must notify Foothold within 15 working days.
6.4. If you leave your course or apprenticeship, you are no longer eligible to remain on the programme, however support may be possible through our general support. Your Foothold caseworker will advise you.
6.5. If the results of your formal diagnosis show you do not have a neurodiverse condition, you are no longer eligible to remain on the programme, however support may be possible through our general support. Your Foothold caseworker will advise you.
By submitting your application to join the Engineering Neurodiverse Futures programme you are agreeing to these terms and conditions.
If you need support and you match the eligibility criteria, the next step is to apply for the support. Simply click the button below to fill out our application form.
You are not alone. Hear from people across the engineering community on how they’ve managed their neurodiversity journey, and what being a neurodivergent engineer means to them.
Learn how we helped Mikaela get a diagnosis for ADHD so that she could pass her placement with confidence.
Read Stuart's story of his experiences with Autism – and how his diagnosis helped him understand himself better.
Read Brian's story of how he got a diagnosis for dyslexia - but wishes the signs had been spotted sooner.