For the fifth year running the National Council for Voluntary Organisations is offering its Party Conference Bursary Scheme which will allow small charities to enter the political arena by attending the Liberal Democrats, Labour or Conservative party conferences.

The bursary is open to all member and non-member voluntary and community organisations in England with an income less than £500,000. It will pay for a two-day pass, one night's accommodation and "reasonable travel expenses" for 15 successful applicants. The NCVO will also offer a programme of meetings for the conferences and a roundtable discussion with a senior MP or minister.

Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, said the organisation was "delighted" to offer the bursary, adding, "It gives organisations who might not normally be able to attend party conferences a fantastic opportunity to get their voices heard at a national level, meet useful contacts and help shape the political agenda away from the confines of Westminster."

Bursaries are available for the Liberal Democrats' conference in Birmingham on 19 - 20 September, Labour's conference in Liverpool on 26 - 27 September, and the Conservatives' conference in Manchester on 3 - 4 October.

The application deadline is 5pm on Friday 20 May. Click here to download the application form.