Grants and External Funding

Government has launched a £680 million funding package available to NHS organisations and health care partnerships across England to support technology projects.  Each fund has its own application deadline.   NHS organisations and health care partnerships are eligible to apply. Eligibility varies depending on which fund is selected, so applicants must check the guidance for the specific fund to ensure they meet the criteria.

Worldwide competition open to young writers of any nationality to recognise exceptional literary work.  The closing date for entries to the 2022 Prize is Monday 8 November 2021.

This business competition will support, fund and promote green economy start-up companies and eco-entrepreneurs from across Europe.  Closing date 23 November 2021

One-off grants are available to support the core costs of hospices in the UK that are members either of Hospice UK or Together for Short Lives.  The deadline for applications is midnight on 3 October 2021.

Grants are available for any not-for-profit organisation based in the UK to support new music projects led by promoters, large performance groups, talent development organisations, venues, festivals and curators in the UK.  The deadline for applications is 18 October 2021.

A fund designed to encourage collaboration and peer-to-peer learning for the protection and enhancement of local landscapes in England is reopening later this year. Applications for the sixth round of the Fund will be invited from December, with a closing date of 19 January 2022.

Match funding is available to grant making organisations such as charitable foundations and philanthropic institutions to administer high quality volunteering programmes in England based on community and youth initiatives.  The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 26 September 2021.

Grants are available for charities, social enterprises, and private companies across the United Kingdom to support projects that seek to address systemic economic inequalities.  The next deadline for applications is 5 October 2021 to be considered at a Trustee meeting in December 2021.

Grants are available to provide outdoor learning training and equipment to schools and early years providers in England, Wales and Scotland.

Grants available to charities or benevolent and philanthropic organisations in England who can engage with target groups at high risk of loneliness.  The deadline for applications is 13 October 2021 (noon).

Funding for local faith-based organisations as they work collaboratively to tackle social issues, including those arising from the impact of COVID-19 in the recovery efforts of communities across England.  The deadline for applications is 23:50 on Thursday, 7 October 2021.

This scheme aims to increase the range of options available to UK industry to enable them to decarbonise at a faster rate.  In order to apply to the Scoping Study Competition, applicants must register by 23 September 2021 (12:00 BST). Applicants will then be asked to submit an online application by 14 October 2021 (12:00 BST).

100% funded training and support is available for sport and physical activity professionals and volunteers who have had to find work outside the sector or had their hours reduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Application deadline: None specified

A competition for UK registered businesses to win a cash prize to help their business recover and grow following the COVID-19 pandemic.  Application deadline: 01/10/2021

Financial support is available for farmers and landowners in the UK to help them plant more hedges.  Application deadline: None specified

Financial support is available for farmers and landowners in the UK to help them plant more woodland on a large scale.   Application deadline: None specified

Funding and strategic support are available to film exhibitors in the North of England to help rebuild and grow their audiences.  The deadline for applications is 31 December 2021.

Loans for UK businesspeople with the determination and ability to succeed in dairy farming to a sustainable size of dairy enterprise as quickly as possible.  Application deadline: None specified

Capital grants are available to local authorities in England to support their air quality responsibilities.  The 2021/22 deadline for applications is 8 October 2021.

Innovation funding is available for businesses and research organisations to carry out projects around healthy ageing in the UK.  Applications are accepted from 20 September 2021 until 17 November 2021 (11:00 GMT).

Funding available for local authorities in England to support digital innovation projects that will transform public services.  Applications to Round 5 must be submitted by the 26 September 2021 (11:59pm).

Rising Stars a competition for innovative, early-stage UK tech start-ups, with a prize package designed to take businesses to the next level. The deadline for receipt of applications is 20 October 2021.

Financial support is available for the UK's freelancer professional theatre workers who are struggling financially because the impact coronavirus pandemic has had on their industry.  The deadline for applications is Tuesday 21 September 2021 (12:00 BST).

Small businesses in the UK that commit to becoming net zero by 2050 can access support to grow their enterprise to the next level. The deadline for applications is 6 October 2021 (23.59 BST).

Innovative tech firms from across the world can apply for funding to develop technologies to help keep children safe when using encrypted online messaging services.  The deadline for applications to be submitted is 6 October 2021 (12:00 BST).

Funding is available to help UK businesses undertake projects leading to the commercialisation of products and services in the offshore wind sector.  The deadline for applications is 29 October 2021 (17:00 BST).  

Funding for not-for-profit projects to help young people with criminal convictions secure meaningful employment in the UK.  The deadline for applications is noon on 26 October 2021.

Funding available to independent early career artists, curators and producers to connect, develop their practice and generate new ideas after the isolating impact of COVID-19. The deadline for applications is 12:00 BST on 4 October 2021.

Support for large companies and SMEs to engage with research organsiations to conduct innovative, industry-driven, pre-competitive R&D projects in the area of software innovation.  Project Outlines for ITEA Call 8 must be submitted by the deadline on 16 November 2021 (17:00 CET).

Funding and a programme of support are available to UK advanced digital technology startups to explore applications of their existing products and services with established Indian corporate partners that hold aspirations in leveraging digital technology, to optimise resource usage and processes.  The deadline for applications is 23:59 BST on 10 October 2021.

Public, private and third sector organisations in England will be invited to apply for capital funding to help new and existing heat networks move to low and zero carbon technologies.  The scheme will open for applications in April 2022. It is anticipated to run until 2025.

Cumbria CVS funding update.  If you want our help, advice and support in relation to funding for your not-for-profit organisation or group please contact Cumbria CVS by emailing: [email protected]     If you do not have access to email, please call 01768 800 350

Funding is available to voluntary and community organisations, led-by-and-for Black and minoritised women, that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 to support their core costs and enable continued service delivery in England.    The deadline for applications is 3pm on 1 October 2021.

This year’s round of funding, which provides seed funding to support the development of community and local energy in the region, will be launched in September.

A combined investment and grant funding for start-up companies in the UK that are working to improve health outcomes in later life. The fund aims to support offering products or services to increase healthy life expectancy and reduce health inequalities.  The fund is open for applications now, through to 31 March 2023.

Funding for research projects to improve understanding of the consumer harms experienced by diverse and disadvantaged communities in the UK and to develop evidence-based solutions.  The deadline for stage one applications is 23:59 on 29 September 2021.

Grants for community and faith and beliefs organisations in the UK for projects that positively engage Black, Asian, Mixed Race and minority ethnic communities in living kidney donation as well as projects focused on addressing health literacy and other capability barriers across the general population.  The deadline for applications is 12 September 2021 (22:00).

Darwin Plus is one of Defra’s Biodiversity Challenge Funds. The aim of Darwin Plus is to help deliver long-term strategic outcomes for the natural environment in the UK Overseas Territories (OTs).  Round 10 stage 1 applications are open until the deadline 20 September 2021.

A £2.5 million funding programme available to voluntary and community organisations in the United Kingdom for small-scale projects to take action on climate change is set to open.  The deadline for applications is 18 November 2021 (5pm).

Funding for grassroots, community organisations to support young people in communities where KFC restaurants are located.  The deadline for applications is 28 February 2022.

Business owners will be chosen to win mentoring, access to content creation workshops, marketing and Instagram ad credits to help grow their UK based small business.  The deadline for submission of entries is 19 September 2021 (24:00 BST).

Funding for UK registered charities for specific projects or core activities that equip disadvantaged people aged 18 and over with the necessary communication skills for employment.  Expressions of Interest are currently being accepted for consideration at the November 2021 meeting.

Large grants are available to voluntary and community organisations in the United Kingdom for projects that will build stronger connections across communities, and improve the infrastructure and conditions that are needed to strengthen these connections. Grants of up to £300,000 are available, for up to two years.  It is expected that up to 20 awards will be made for the 2021/22 period.  Applications may be made at any time while funding remains available.

Funding for community groups and voluntary organisations across the UK to protect and plant trees in their local communities.  The deadline for applications is 16 December 2021.

Funding for small to medium-sized non-profit organisations for projects focused on building financial capability skills assisting groups who support bereavement, redundancy, retirement, relationship breakdown, homelessness, offenders, and resettlement.  Applications will be accepted from 9am on 1 September until 30 September 2021 (5pm).  Applications will close once the number of accepted applications reaches 40 or by the deadline, whichever is soonest. If the grant round closes early, the application form will NOT be accessible to complete. Applicants are encouraged to apply early and not wait to the deadline.

The Forestry Commission has opened expressions of interest to pilot a new scheme designed to protect trees from pests and diseases in parts of England.  Expressions of interest may be submitted now. No deadlines have been specified at this stage.

BIFFA  Award are actively seeking expressions of interest for their Main Grants Scheme under their Recreation and Rebuilding Biodiversity themes which are both currently under-represented.

Grants are available to businesses, collectives and not-for-profits working in Great Britain's music industries to help create sustainable, meaningful career opportunities for young people aged 18-25, especially those who are currently underrepresented in the sector. The deadline for applications is 20 August 2021 (17:00 BST).

Training, advice and grant support for farmers and land managers in England to reduce water and air pollution from agriculture.  Application deadline: None specified

Grants are available to grassroot football clubs in the UK whose activities have increased mutual respect on or off the pitch, to support costs including replacing equipment or completing repair work. The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on 15 August 2021.