The donation of £104,000 makes the Royal Mail the biggest supporter of the programme. It will also be supporting the running of the IDM education modules, student website , and free training for UK academics.
The Royal Mail has been supporting IDM's education mission since the education programme launched in 1984.
Richard Roche, head of business development at Royal Mail, said: "We see this contribution as a genuine investment in a burgeoning profession and one that will pay dividends for Royal Mail and the direct marketing industry at large.
"The IDM education programme is key to attracting graduates to a career in direct marketing, as well as preparing them for it, and we are delighted to play a significant part in that process."
Kate Wilkinson, director of graduate services at the IDM, said: "Year on year, the IDM education programme has grown as a consequence of its success. The more awareness we create about the discipline in the education community, the greater the appetite for it. Without Royal Mail's funding, we simply could not meet the demand we have created and so we are incredibly grateful for its continued support."
So far, more than 70 UK universities have received teaching material to support direct marketing teaching and more than 2,000 students have taken an IDM certificate while at university.
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