What is the Deborah Rowland Scholarship?
The Deborah Rowland Scholarship (the Scholarship) provides financial and mentoring support to individuals starting out in their WFM careers. The Scholarship will fund an IWFM regulated qualification at an appropriate level (2, 3 or 4) via IWFM Direct
for 12 to 24 months and includes monthly mentoring sessions with experienced professionals.
The Scholarship aims to break down barriers to progress in WFM and to foster future leaders in the profession, whatever their background. It is backed by the IWFM Charitable Foundation and senior leaders in the profession who want to help others to succeed.
The Scholarship is for you if you are passionate and motivated to get on in WFM but can’t move forward due to financial circumstances.
Awarded annually, up to two Scholarship recipients will be announced at the IWFM Impact Awards on 14 October 2024.
Who is Deborah Rowland?
Deborah Rowland, Director of Public Affairs at Sodexo UK and Ireland, where she has worked for the last seven years, was recognised as Facilities Manager of the Year 2013 (when IWFM operated as the British Institute of Facilities Management). Deborah’s goal is to help more individuals establish themselves within the WFM profession. Diagnosed with metastic paplillary carcinoma of the thyroid at 21, which progressed in 2019, Deborah has created this Scholarship as her enduring legacy.
“The FM world has been the most fantastic environment to grow and learn in, I cannot recommend it enough to someone at the beginning of their journey. I have always striven to ensure that this is a profession to be proud of and attractive to future talent. By providing this Scholarship I hope to be able to give others the chance to improve their chances and compete at a higher level – onwards and upwards no matter what their starting point – they just have to demonstrate the desire and passion to achieve their goal.” Deborah Rowland
The Scholarship is open to additional funding through the Foundation from individuals or organisations seeking to drive social impact, enabling even more people to have a head start in a WFM career. Details of how to donate via a Just Giving page will soon be published.
The Scholarship awardee does not need to come from an academic background, but you, via the application process:
- Demonstrate you are passionate and motivated to get in in the sector
- Have the necessary work ethic to achieve your goals
- Prove that you are not in a position to fund your own personal professional development by other means
To apply, simply complete the form below by 31 August 2024.
The IWFM Charitable Foundation (the Foundation) is dedicated to advancing the workplace and facilities management profession by providing opportunities for education and professional growth. It supports initiatives that foster competence, confidence, and leadership in WFM.
Governed by a board of trustees, the Foundation ensures that individuals from diverse backgrounds can access high-quality WFM education and mentorship, thereby contributing to a dynamic and inclusive professional community. The Foundation's charitable objectives include creating opportunities, enhancing skills and developing future leaders in the WFM sector.
The process and funding of the Deborah Rowland Scholarship will be managed via the Foundation.
The Scholarship will be open to receive additional funding through the Foundation, from individuals or organisations with Rowland’s scholarship initiative and to drive social impact. This will enable even more people to have a head start in a WFM career. Details of how to donate will soon be published.
What are the eligibility criteria for the Scholarship?
The Scholarship awardee does not need to come from an academic background, but you, via the application process:
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Demonstrate you are passionate and motivated to get in in the sector
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Have the necessary work ethic to achieve your goals
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Prove that you are not in a position to fund your own personal professional development by other means
To apply, simply complete the form below by 31 August 2024.
Why is this Scholarship being introduced now?
Deborah Rowland’s goal is to ensure that more people are able to establish themselves within the FM profession. She explains:
“By providing this scholarship I hope to be able to give others the chance to improve their chances and compete at a higher level. Onwards and upwards, no matter what their starting point; they just have to demonstrate the desire and passion to achieve their goal.”
For its part, IWFM is committed to equity, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) in all its forms. This scholarship will be administered through the BIFM (IWFM) Foundation Charity, and the promotion of EDI in the profession underpins the BIFM (IWFM) Foundation’s charitable activities.
The Scholarship addresses the key EDI issue of social mobility by giving a capable individual the ‘head start’ that circumstance may have otherwise denied them.
How is the Scholarship process to be managed?
IWFM will administer the process with funding sourced through the IWFM Charitable Foundation (Charity Number 1026584).
What commitment is required of the successful Scholarship awardee?
- The Scholarship awardee must engage with any requests for communication from the IWFM or the awardee’s nominated mentor for the duration of the Scholarship
- The Scholarship awardee must engage with their nominated mentor at least once per month for the duration of the scholarship
- The Scholarship awardee must produce a quarterly feedback report, which they will send to their nominated mentor.
- Upon completion of the scholarship the Scholarship awardee will make themselves available to be interviewed about their experience for content to be circulated via the IWFM to the media.
- The Scholarship awardee will be expected to engage with the IWFM through event attendance and appropriate communities.
- The Scholarship awardee must commit to act as role model for future Scholarship applicants.
What is the process for applying for the Scholarship?
Any individual seeking to apply for the Scholarship needs to complete the application form which must include a 500 word personal statement in which they explain what this opportunity will mean for them. There is also an option to upload a 90 second video to support their personal statement.
Applications must be submitted by the closing date of 31 August 2024.
The winner will be announced at the IWFM Impact Awards on the 14 October 2024.
What is the timetable for the 2024 Scholarship?
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10 June - Promotion of the scholarship and calls for applications commences
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31 August - Deadline for all applications and supporting videos
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w/c 2 September – Judging commences and shortlist agreed
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11 September – Finalists interviewed between 11am and 2pm
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14 October - Scholarship awarded at the IWFM Impact Awards ceremony
What are the Terms and Conditions of applying for the Scholarship?
By applying for the Deborah Rowland Scholarship you agree to:
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Validate the information you have provided during the application process.
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Commit to a two-year studying period if successful.
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Acknowledge that the Scholarship is towards the study of an IWFM regulated qualification via IWFM Direct only and is not transferable or exchangeable for cash.
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Be mentored throughout the programme.
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Uphold ethical behaviour throughout the programme and not act so as to bring the reputation of the IWFM or the Scholarship into disrepute.
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Communicate regularly via progress updates to the programme.
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Agree to IWFM using your progress in the Scholarship in marketing and communication
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Adhere to IWFM's social media guidance which will be provided throughout the programme.
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Accept that IWFM reserves the right to withdraw you from the programme should there be any valid reason to do so.
Application form
Your details
Please complete the below fields. Submissions close 31 August 2024.