Grants are available to individuals, charities, social enterprises or limited companies with unusual or radical ideas to improve life chances in the UK.
Fund Information
- Funding body:
- Paul Hamlyn Foundation
- Maximum value:
- £ 15,000
- Application deadline:
- None specified
Background
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s (PHF's) mission is to “to be an effective and independent funder, using its resources to create opportunities and support social change’".
As one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK, the Foundation partners with inspiring organisations and individuals to make sure that people facing disadvantage are at the heart of leading change and designing solutions to overcome inequality.
The new UK strategy identifies five strategic priorities relating to changes the PHF wishes to see in the UK. These are:
- Investing in young people
- Migration and integration
- Arts access and participation
- Education and learning through the arts
- Nurturing ideas and people
The Foundation’s commitment to social justice underpins these priorities. There is particular interest in supporting individuals and organisations that share this commitment and in funding that:
- Strengthens civil society
- Supports social innovation
- Champions people’s voice and agency
- Responds to digital transformation
- Responds to the climate emergency
Objectives of Fund
PHF is keen to be one of the first funders for new ideas. The Ideas and Pioneers Fund provides grants to individuals, small groups and organisations who are focused on exploring an innovative new idea or approach for change.
PHF is looking for potential not the finished product.
Value Notes
Grants of up to £15,000 are available along with a package of support to help awardees develop their ideas.
The support includes includes peer-learning opportunities, access to training sessions and travel bursaries.
Who Can Apply
Individuals, charities, social enterprises and limited companies can apply. It is not necessary to be a registered organisation as long as the proposed idea has clear public benefit or charitable purpose.
Applications will be accepted from:
- Individuals (aged 18 years or over). Preference is for people between the ages of 18 and 30 years.
- Small groups of up to three people.
- Small organisations with up to five employees.
Applicants can be based anywhere in the UK.
There is particular interest in first-time applicants.
Priority will be given to organisations that are led by, and work that is developed and delivered with (including as artists and or practitioners), people who are most affected by systemic oppression and or discrimination. This means Black, Asian and other groups who experience racism, Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people who experience the effects of ableism, those who identify as sitting at the intersections of several minoritized identities, and people experiencing poverty.
Restrictions
In addition to the general exclusions which are listed on the PHF website, the following are not eligible for this scheme:
- Rolling out an approach that is already working or has been substantially tried elsewhere in the UK as the Fund aims to support people to explore new ideas
- Delivery of events
- The production of a work of art (including books) or documentary film
- Applications from individuals under the age of 18
- Applications from organisations that employ more than five full-time equivalent employees
- Proposals for ideas which PHF has previously considered and turned down.
Eligible Expenditure
PHF is interested in backing ideas at the earliest stage of development, particularly from people who may not have much experience of applying for or receiving funding, but merit backing.
The funding is for:
- Applications that focus on early stages of exploring ideas. This refers to activities that will help applicants figure out the things they do not know. This might include testing, scoping, research, prototyping and piloting.
- Innovative ideas – ideas or approaches that are new to the contexts in which the applicants are hoping to work in or the issue they are hoping to change.
- People who have the potential to create change – someone who understands the area they want to work in and the people they want to work with, and who has a vision to help build a better society. It is not required to have a track record of experience, rather applicants should be pioneers who can shape the future.
Location
United Kingdom
How To Apply
Applications can be made at any time as there are no deadlines.
Applicants will need to submit:
- A short written online form.
- A two-minute video.
- An equalities questionnaire.
Full details of the application process are available on the PHF website.
Useful documents & links
Useful Links
Addresses and contacts
For further information on how to obtain this grant locally, please contact the following:
- Enquiries
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
5-11 Leeke Street
London
WC1X 9HY
Tel: 020 7812 3300
Email: [email protected]