Grants and External Funding

Funding is available for local authorities to improve the energy performance and heating systems of certain homes in England.

The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) is a government-funded grant scheme that provides energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating to low-income households living in the worst quality, off-gas grid homes in England.

Applications will be assessed at two deadlines: 18 November 2022 and 27 January 2023.

UK registered businesses and partner organisations can apply for funding to support innovative clean maritime technologies.

The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) aims to fund real world demonstrations of clean maritime technologies in an operational setting. Proposals must develop, test and deploy novel clean maritime technologies focused on both on-vessel technologies and related shoreside infrastructure, including at ports and harbours.

The deadline for applications is 9 November 2022.

Local authorities, combined authorities and registered providers of social housing can now apply for funding to improve the energy performance of their social homes.

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) has been established to upgrade a significant amount of the social housing stock currently below Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C up to that standard.

The Wave 2.1 competition has now been launched. It closes on 18 November 2022. The submission of applications will open at least five working days before the close of the competition. The Government will confirm details of the submission process in October 2022.

Funding for the professional development of hospice staff to improve quality of patient care.

With funding from the Masonic Charitable Foundation, Hospice UK has launched a bursary programme for hospices (both adult and children’s) in every Masonic Province in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

Applications can be submitted at any time.

Voluntary, community and not-for-profit across England have until 10 October to apply for funding to deliver cycling projects and events that promote cycling to people who do not normally cycle.

Cycling UK is offering grants of up to £3,000 for voluntary, community, and not-for-profit organisations across England to deliver cycling events for beginners, people returning to cycling after a period of inactivity, and other people who do not cycle regularly or are experiencing challenges and perceived barriers to access.

The deadline for applications is 10 October 2022.

Funding for innovative community activities that improve the lives of young people.

Non-profit groups supporting Clarion Housing residents and the wider community can now apply for the latest grant scheme from Clarion Futures.

The deadline to apply is 12 noon on 20 October 2022.

Financial support is being provided to holiday firms in the UK to boost their growth following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working with Travel Weekly, ITV has launched a new fund to support the travel industry’s return to growth. The Backing Business Fund is designed to give new and lapsed TV brands across the travel sector the opportunity to benefit from TV advertising to grow their business.

This finite fund will operate until the end of June 2023, unless the complete fund value has been used at an earlier date due to demand.

Grants are available for third party social organisations to support individuals and families across the UK who are in financial need and have exhausted all other sources of funding.

This fund aims to support individuals and families who are struggling with everyday costs, such as basic living expenses, household items and utilities, or rent arrears.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are taking advantage of all support offered by local services, including the referring social organisation.

Enhanced support is now available through Government backed loans for innovators and entrepreneurs starting out in business.

The Government has announced enhancements to the eligibility criteria of the Start Up Loans initiative. The £884 million scheme is designed to help innovative new businesses starting up across the UK.

This is an ongoing programme. Applications may be submitted at any time.

Funding for Community Fridges to increase their social and environmental impact.

As part of its partnership with the Co-op, Starbucks Foundation and Rothschild Foundation, Hubbub will be launching a new Community Fridge Food Hub Fund to expand community-based food activity provision.

The fund will open on 3 October 2022 and close at 23.59 on 7 November 2022.

Funding is available for UK businesses to research, test and develop step-change circular economy approaches.

Through this Innovate UK (IUK) competition, businesses and their partners can access funding to support feasibility studies, industrial research and experimental development projects that address the challenges of transitioning to a circular economy.

The competition opens on 13 October 2022 and closes on 7 December 2022 (12:00 GMT).

UK businesses will be funded to support the development of solutions to switch industry from high to low carbon fuels.

The Industrial Fuel Switching Competition supports innovation in the development of pre-commercial fuel switch and fuel switch enabling technology for the industrial sector, to help industry switch from high to lower carbon fuels.

Applicants need to register by 11 November 2022 (14:00 GMT) if they plan to apply to the competition.

Funding to tackle injustice and structural inequality to create a more inclusive society.

After releasing details of its new funding strategy in July 2022, the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation has now announced the Fairer Future grants stream will once again be accepting applications from October 2022.

The fund is expected to reopen on 12 October 2022.

The Chancellor has announced the newly-formed Government’s initial borrowing and spending plans in his first fiscal statement.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng, has delivered his Mini Budget statement to Parliament, outlining the Government’s new Growth Plan, designed to boost the UK’s stalling economy. The statement comes in the midst of a cost of living crisis and follows a warning from the Bank of England that the country may already be in recession.

Following this Mini Budget Statement, a full Budget is expected to occur later in the year.

An annual competition to support the development of young UK entrepreneurs will soon open for applications.

Financial awards, a mentorship package and pro-bono support are available to young entrepreneurs based in the United Kingdom and Europe to accelerate their business idea or start-up.

The 2023 competition will open for entries on 3 October 2022 and close to entries on 20 January 2023 (17:00 GMT).

Domestic tree seed production is to be ramped up with new government funding.

The funding is designed to boost domestic tree seed production. The grant also aims to improve the diversity of England’s seed supply, for example, by increasing the range of species and provenances available.

The final deadline for applications is Sunday 13 November 2022 (23:55 GMT).

Funding to enable women and girls to use their voices to achieve change.

The Voices from the Frontline fund is a one-year programme supporting grassroots activism and awareness-raising of issues facing women and girls in the UK.

The deadline to apply is 4pm on 3 November 2022.

Non-profit groups and Local Authorities located within 10 miles of an eligible FCC Environment landfill site can apply now for grants to support amenity projects in 2023.

The FCC Communities Foundation awards grants to community projects from funds donated by FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund, having provided over £250 million to more than £7,500 projects across the UK since 1997.

The deadline for applications is 7 December 2022 (5pm).

This programme invests in innovations to improve the lives of people in the UK who are affected by dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Society Accelerator Programme is open to engineers, designers, developers, innovators and entrepreneurs with an idea for a product or service that will change the lives of people affected by dementia.

The deadline for applications is 25 October 2022.

Schools across the United Kingdom can now apply for funding to support breakfast club initiatives for children.

Kellogg’s, in partnership with Forever Manchester, is offering grants of up to £1,000 to schools to help fund breakfast clubs across the UK and ensure that children who need it most receive a morning meal.

Applications can be submitted at any time.

Training providers in England can apply for funding to offer training for people working in the energy efficiency, retrofit and low carbon heating sectors.

The Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition has been created to fund training for people working, or who want to work, in the energy efficiency, building retrofit and low carbon heating sectors.

The deadline for applications to be submitted is 17 October 2022.

Grants to support families and individuals for essential personal and household needs to assist families and individuals with low incomes, particularly those living on benefits.

Family Action aims to support families during times of hardship to enable them to become stronger, happier and healthier.

Applications are accepted any time.

Grants are available for registered charities, social enterprises and constituted charitable groups to help people in the UK when other sources of support have failed, are inappropriate, or are simply not available.

Applications can be submitted at any time. There are no deadlines and applications are assessed as they are received.

Grants are available for smaller UK community organisations that work with children to help them deliver activities and services.

The aim of the programme is to support smaller organisations that work with children and which may be struggling financially as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The next deadline for applications is 30 September 2022.

Small grants are available to support older people living on low incomes in England and Wales with the costs of home essentials, unexpected large bills, living costs and getting connected online.

The funding is intended to support older people who are of, or over, state pension age (66 years) and living on low incomes in England or Wales.

Applications can be made at any time and are dealt with in date order.

Grants are available to community groups in the UK to support a broad range of activities which can contribute towards transforming their community and improving the lives of people in their community. Funding to support cost-of-living is included in this round of funding.

The closing date for Round 3 applications is 11 November 2022.

Grants are available for not-for-profit community sport and physical activity groups in England who can raise their initial funding through a crowdfunding campaign to support those experiencing financial difficulty due to Covid-19, the emerging energy, cost of living or other local crisis.

The funding is intended to help sport and physical activity organisations to move forward with priority projects and running costs that they might be struggling with due to the pandemic or the cost of living crisis or other local crisis situations such as adverse weather.

The £2 million Cost of Living Boost scheme is provided by Aviva plc, a British multinational insurance company headquartered in London, as part of its Aviva Community Fund. Aviva is the largest general insurer and a leading life and pensions provider.

Aviva will match donations pound for pound up to £250 between 4 October and 31 December 2022 or until the entire £2 million is allocated.

The Cost-of-Living Grants Fund is provided and administered by Independent Age, a charity working to enable older people to stay independent and live well with dignity, choice, and control.

The charity launched this Grants Fund in response to the negative impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on the lives of millions of older people in the UK.

Phase 1 applications will be accepted from 1 September to 16 September 2022 with notification of decisions on 3 October 2022.

The aim of this competition is to fund and support a diverse portfolio of UK businesses that have a track-record in developing inclusive innovations.

Through the Inclusive Innovation Awards, Innovate UK is celebrating and showcasing businesses that are developing innovations centred on equality, diversity and inclusion in their design and development.

The Awards are open for applications from 26 September 2022 until 9 November 2022.

UK SMEs can access loans that are affordable, patient and flexible for late stage innovation projects that have a clear route to commercial success.

Innovate UK (IUK) is offering loans to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) overcome barriers to their innovations becoming a successful, commercial reality. The aim is to make a considerable economic impact which results in significant, sustainable business growth.

Funding is being allocated across a series of competitions. Round 6 is now open with a deadline for applications of 9 November 2022 (11:00 GMT).

Funding to support not-for-profit projects to help young people with criminal convictions secure meaningful employment in the UK.

The Triangle Trust 1949 Fund is currently accepting applications from across the UK for projects that work with young people with criminal convictions (up to the age of 25 years) to find meaningful and secure employment.

The deadline for applications is 28 October 2022 (noon).

Funding to support local community groups who are facing an increase in their running costs (rent, utilities and food costs) between September 2022 and February 2023.

Asda Foundation’s new Cost of Living Grant will provide grants of between £500 and £2,000 for activities taking place before 28 February 2023.

Applications will be accepted by Asda Community Champions the week commencing 19 September 2022 until the budget cap is reached (estimated to be February 2023).

Groups of young deaf people aged between 8 and 25 can apply for funding to create new and exciting projects that improve their lives and make positive changes for themselves and other young deaf people.

Applications can be submitted at any time. 

Funding to support delivery of effective arts-based teaching and learning opportunities in the primary classroom.

Paul Hamlyn Foundation (PHF) is now inviting applications for the next round of its Teacher Development Fund to promote partnerships between schools and arts-based organisations in the UK.

The deadline to apply is 22 November 2022 at 12 noon.

Funding is available for individuals and organisations to help advance the understanding of Castle Studies.

The Castle Studies Trust is offering grants of up to £10,000 including VAT to support the production of new and discrete pieces of research that enhance the understanding and knowledge of castles

The deadline for applications is 30 November 2022. 

Grant funding is available to SMEs and micro businesses in the UK for research and/or preliminary investigation activities for innovative vehicle technologies.

The deadline for applications to be submitted is 17 October 2022.

Funding to foster artistic collaboration between the UK and Germany.

Cultural organisations in the UK with experience of socially engaged/participatory practice can now apply for their share of a £180,000 funding pot from Cultural Bridge.

The deadline to apply is 12pm on 26 October 2022.

Grants of up to £2,500 are available for UK-based not-for-profit organisations to carry out marine conservation and environmental protection activities.

Applications for small grants are accepted at any time and reviewed regularly. Large grant applications are considered twice a year.

The next deadline is 30 September 2022. 

The funding will continue to support children and young people across the UK.

Organisations will only be able to apply for one stream per year and should think carefully about which is most appropriate to them.

Further guidance on each stream will be published in due course.

This worldwide competition is open to young writers of any nationality to recognise exceptional literary work.

The International Dylan Thomas Prize is an annual competitive award provided in partnership by the Dylan Thomas Centre and Swansea University to recognise and reward literary talent in young authors.

The closing date for entries to the 2023 Prize is Friday 4 November 2022.

Funding to clear the energy debts of struggling households in Great Britain.

The funds will cover debt arrears of up to £1,500. The Trust does not award cash payments and will instead credit the householder account.

Applications can be submitted at any time until the funding runs out.

Funding to empower householders to engage positively with the transition to net zero and for the development of innovative products and services related to energy.

Energy Saving Trust has launched the next round of its Carbon Reduction Fund and Innovation Fund to benefit domestic energy consumers in Great Britain.

The deadline to apply is 6 October 2022 (5pm).

Funding to support energy consumers in vulnerable situations across Great Britain.

Energy Saving Trust has launched the next phase of its Energy Redress Scheme, offering £22 million across four streams.

The deadline to apply is 6 October 2022 (5pm).

A scheme designed to help UK energy companies and financial markets dealing with the effects of high and volatile energy prices will be launched in the autumn.

The Government has announced a new scheme to address the liquidity requirements faced by energy firms operating in the UK’s wholesale gas and electricity markets. HM Treasury, working with the Bank of England, will launch the Energy Markets Financing Scheme (EMFS) later this year.

The opening date is expected to be published by the end of October 2022 or sooner.

We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and pay tribute to Her Majesty’s lifelong devotion to service and duty.

As the UK enters a period of mourning, we recognise that there will be national days for mourning and reflection which we expect to observe.

We would encourage groups to check the websites of the funders they are following.

Funding to improve the educational experiences of refugee and displaced children in the Middle East and Europe.

This call focuses on projects that specifically address innovative solutions to accessing formal education as well as employment-focused vocational training, answering specific needs and presenting realistic solutions for refugee and displaced children and youths.

The deadline to apply is 4 October 2022 (11pm BST).

Groups across the United Kingdom can apply for funding to support projects and activities that support the development of new economic ideas and approaches to push for and create a more just and sustainable economy.

The next deadline for main grant applications is 31 October 2022 (noon).

Community groups, voluntary organisations, and other not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding to deliver cycling projects and events that promote cycling to people who do not normally cycle and groups that are underrepresented in cycling activities.

The deadline for application is 10 October 2022.

Funding to support community initiatives which minimise food waste across the UK.

A partnership between Hubbub and the Co-operative, the Community Fridge programme has reopened for autumn 2022 applications.

The deadline to apply is 30 October 2022.