Published Monday 20 May 2019 at 17:56
Funding opportunities greater than £100,000
Funding to support young people’s TV programming
The Government has provided £60million of funding to provide a boost to the UK’s Radio and Television sector. Over the past decade the output of children’s television from public service broadcasters (PSBs) in the UK has been in decline, with them spending roughly 40% less than they did in 2006. As a result of this a significant amount of programming on children’s channels now consist of repeats.
The funding is being made available through two schemes:
The Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF), which is administered by the British Film Institute, aims to help reverse the trend of repeats and will specifically focus on television for young people under the age of 18.
The Audio Content Fund (ACF) will be used to produce distinctive, public service radio programming that is traditionally more difficult to support on a commercial basis. This includes programmes such as documentaries, comedy, drama and light entertainment.
Both funds will also provide a boost to indigenous UK languages programming such as Welsh and Gaelic, with an aim to invest five per cent of the total fund on this. Information on how to apply and what the administrators are looking for is available on the BFI’s and the ACF websites.
Support for low-carbon propulsion technology in the automotive sector
Organisations can apply for a share of £25 million to support low-carbon propulsion technology in the automotive sector. The funding is available through an Innovate UK and Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) competition to support pre-production projects that can enhance the UK’s long-term capabilities and supply chain in zero-emission vehicles.
Eligible projects must either speed up the development of low- and zero-emission vehicles or demonstrate a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. This can involve improving production and competitiveness in design, build and manufacturing across technologies such as:
- alternative propulsion systems
- electric machines and power electronics
- energy storage and management
- lightweight vehicles and powertrain structures
- thermal propulsion systems
Projects that will make a positive impact on the UK supply chain will be prioritised. This can include:
- creating new supply chains in zero-emission vehicles and electrification
- delivering a UK-centric high value manufacturing and sourcing footprint
- lowering the overall cost of goods sold to customers
- attracting new companies not traditionally serving the automotive sector.
To be eligible organisations must be based in the UK and work with at least 1 micro-, small- or medium-sized business.
The closing date for applications is 12pm on the 10th July 2019.
Smart Energy Systems
UK organisations can apply for a share of up to £30 million to develop designs for smart local energy systems that make the best use of innovative technologies including cheaper renewables, energy storage, low carbon heat and digital infrastructure.
The competition is part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund programme, prospering from the energy revolution. The challenge was established to support industry, academia, public bodies and local communities to work together and develop a world-leading, smart local energy systems industry in the UK.
The aim of the competition is to create a pipeline of highly innovative, ambitious, local energy system designs that are investable and ready to roll out across the UK in the 2020s.
Projects will create new market and business models using smart energy systems that enable deployment at scale of the latest in energy technologies across heat, power and transport, in a way that is reproducible across the UK.
Projects are expected to:
- develop novel market and business approaches for smart energy systems
- integrate new energy technologies across heat, power and transport in replicable and scalable ways across the UK
- investigate and design approaches that will significantly lower energy system costs and emissions
- create economic benefits for the local area and the UK as a whole
- develop finance and investment models for the deployment of low carbon technologies at scale
The closing date for Applications is midday on 7th August 2019.
Funding to improve access to health services for rough sleepers
Public Health England (PHE) has announced a call for bids for a share of up to £1.9 million, to be awarded to projects involving partnerships between Local Authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) that test models aimed at improving access to health services for people who are sleeping rough.
Successful projects will focus on improving access to health services for people with co-occurring mental ill-health and substance misuse problems who are currently, or at risk of returning to, sleeping rough. Public Health England are not looking to pilot models that have never been used before, but to test models that already exist, either elsewhere in the country, internationally or for another (but relevant) population.
The closing date for applications is the 5th July 2019.
Funding available to prevent food waste
Not for profit organisations and charities redistributing surplus food from retailers and food manufacturers can now apply for grants to improve how they handle and distribute leftover food by investing in infrastructure such as:
- Warehouse infrastructure
- Weighing equipment
- Storage solutions
- Industrial freezer / fridges
- Inventory software equipment
- Baler / loading equipment
- Shelving
- Conveyors
- Loading equipment (project use only)
- Labelling equipment
- Vehicles
The funding is being made available through the 2nd funding round of the Food Waste Prevention programme. The programme is funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and administered through the Waste and Resources Action Programme. A total of £6 million is being made available.
Organisations can apply for grants of between £200,000 and £1 million through the large grants programme and grants of between £20,000 and £170,000 through the small grants programme.
The closing date for applications is the 1st July 2019 for large grants and the 15th July for small grants.
Funding opportunities between £25,000 and £100,000
Funding to help communities deliver discounted homes
A multi-million-pound support package to deliver thousands of discounted homes has been launched by the Government. Volunteer groups will be able to apply for between £10,000 and £50,000 to help identify suitable sites for discounted homes, get planning permission for them and to provide other technical support.
Further free specialist advice and guidance will also be made available for those who participate in the pilot.
The government will be making £8.5 million available for the 3-year pilot project which will help provide cut-price homes for younger people and families in need of housing, through locally-led neighbourhood plans.
The pilot project will run from 13th May 2019 to 31st March 2022. The Government will review the outcomes of the pilot in January 2020 to inform arrangements for future years.
Funding to make community spaces more sustainable
The Co-op Foundation is offering interest free loans for enterprising ideas to improve community spaces. Community organisations that manage community buildings and outdoor spaces such as parks and community centres; etc which are for the use of the whole community can apply for loans to grow their trading activities to generate more sustainable income.
The Co-op Foundation can offer:
- Interest-free loans of up to £50,000 towards viable business ideas that will benefit the whole community – particularly those facing greater challenges.
- No repayments for the first year, while your trading activities are developing.
- If you are based in a more deprived area, or your work mainly benefits more disadvantaged members of the community, we might also be able to offer some grant funding alongside a loan.
Applicants will need to fill out an expression of interest here.
Applications can be submitted at any time.
Grants to support children’s health and education
The next deadline to apply to the DM Thomas Foundation Central Grants Programme is the 23rd July 2019. The Foundation distributes a total of around £200,000 per quarter.
Grants of up to £30,000 are available per year for up to two years to registered charities for projects that improve education and health for young people in three key areas:
- Children and young people with disabilities
- Children and young people who are sick in hospital
- Children and young people who are life limited (requiring palliative care)
The Foundation is a small charity and generally will not make awards of over £30,000 (per year). Funding can be requested for one-off projects or for up to 2 years work.
Applications from schools and hospitals are welcomed as long as they are made through an appropriate registered charity.
If favoured, grant applications for up to £5,000 can be approved by the Director, up to £10,000 can be approved by the Grants Committee, and applications for more than £10,000 are recommended to the Trustees for final approval.
Funding opportunities under £25,000
Grants to support canoeing and inland waterway conservation
The main purpose of the Canoe Foundation is to “support all to enjoy and benefit from the experience of paddling on our water in a sustainable manner”. The Foundation does this through grant making that facilitates improvements to suitable landing and launching points and by promoting the conservation of inland waterways for the benefit of all sectors of the community.
The Foundation awards grants to projects that:
- Set up new or improved launching points in urban or rural locations or as part of a water trail, such as steps or pontoons. Linked promotion of access points including signage or maps to increase participation and use.
- Incorporate better accessibility or facilities at waterside locations which might improve the parking or changing aspects of a site.
- Improve the quality of the waterways and oceans through support, for example practical kits, for a clean-up or an improved natural habitat.
The Foundation invites applications for grants ranging from £2,000 to £20,000. Applications are considered on a quarterly basis with the next deadline for applications being the 31st August 2019.
Project development funding for Churches
The Gateway Programme supports congregations and local communities to look after and build a sustainable future for their church buildings.
Preference is given to projects from Churches that can demonstrate strong community engagement and sound plans for economic viability. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate support beyond the congregation, and into the future.
Gateway Grant Programme grants can be used for project development and investigative work up to RIBA planning stage 1, to support churches preparing for a major project, and in developing their project to the point at which they can approach a major grant funder.
Grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 for up to 50% of the project costs are available.
Applications are accepted from listed and unlisted Christian places of worship, of any denomination, across the UK. The Trust particularly encourages applications from priority areas i.e. North East England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The first deadline to apply for a Gateway Grant is the 12th September 2019.
Funding for international school exchanges
Schools in England can apply for grants to take pupils aged 11 and above overseas. The funding which is being made available through the British Council’s International Exchanges Programme is aimed at schools with a high proportion of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and with above-average numbers of pupil premium students. Young people are encouraged to stay with host families where possible, giving them the best opportunity to practice their language skills and be fully immersed in another culture.
Funding is available for three different elements:
- A short teacher pre-visit (to conduct risk assessment and plan the school exchange)
- Up to 100% of the total cost. Max grant: £500 (EU and wider Europe); £1000 (Rest of the world)
2. School exchange
- Up to 100% of the total cost (families of pupil premium children should not be asked to contribute)
- On the basis of 20 pupils and 2 to 3 teachers, minimum 4 nights away.
- Max grant: £10,000 (EU and wider Europe); £15,000 (Rest of the world)
- Applications may be considered for higher numbers than this depending on particular circumstances (for example if a higher staffing to pupil ratio is required due to the needs of the pupils). Please provide details in your application.
- Administration and management
- Up to 100% of the total cost. Max grant: £500
Overall maximum grant available per school:
- For visits to EU and wider Europe: £11,000
- For visits in the Rest of the world: £16,500
The grant can be used to cover the following costs:
- travel for pupils and accompanying teachers
- accommodation and subsistence for pupils and accompanying teachers
- local transport
- administration costs
Exchanges programme and visit can take place any time up until 19th April 2020.
Grants available to support the performing arts and the conservation of historic objects
The Leche Trust has announced that the next closing date for applications is the 16th August 2019. The Leche Trust is a grant making charity that provides funding of up to £5,000 to UK registered charities, public authorities or institutions in the areas of the Performing Arts and Conservation.
Through the Performing Arts funding strand, the Trust supports projects that promote excellence in professional performance in music, dance and theatre, with particular emphasis on new work and on the development of young professionals aged 18 or over. Trustees are sympathetic to projects that widen geographical access to the performing arts, for example through festivals and touring.
Through the Conservation funding stream, the Trust will support projects to conserve historic objects, collections and features of buildings and landscapes which date from the Georgian period or earlier, i.e. pre-1830s. Projects may include acquisition costs (for objects) and conservation surveys as well as remedial work.
Trustees are inclined to give grants to smaller projects, or specific elements of projects, where their contribution can make a greater impact. In the case of churches, Trustees will consider supporting the conservation of such features as monuments, wall paintings, stained glass, and historic furniture and fittings.
Near Neighbours small grants fund
Local groups and organisations, who are working to bring together neighbours and develop relationships across diverse faiths and ethnicities in order to improve their communities, have until 11th October 2019 to apply for grants of £250 to £5,000 from the Near Neighbours fund. The fund which operates in specific areas of Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, the Black Country, East Midlands, Birmingham, Peterborough, Luton, West London, and East London. Areas served by a local Near Neighbours Hub.
Near Neighbours has two key objectives:
- Social interaction – to develop positive relationships in multi-faith and multi-ethnic areas i.e. to help people from different faiths and ethnicities get to know and understand each other better.
- Social action – to encourage people of different faiths and of no faith and of different ethnicities to come together for initiatives that improve their local neighbourhood.
To be eligible for funding, a project should:
- Bring together peoples of two or more different faiths and/or ethnicities, to build friendships and develop relationships of trust.
- Work locally: Near Neighbours want to see people who are living very locally (i.e. in the same street, estate or neighbourhood) come together.
- Work sustainably: Near Neighbours want to see long term and natural relationships grow, that will last beyond the period of funding.
- Work to improve the community: Near Neighbours want to see people working to make their communities a better place to live.
- Involve a diverse group of people in planning and implementation: People from more than one faith group and/or ethnicity are involved in running the project.
In addition, a grant must be for:
- New or developed work: We will not support repeat or ongoing activities.
- Specific activities: Funding is given for a specific project or activity.
- Immediate activities: Grants should be claimed within three months of approval, and projects should finish within six months or before the end of March 2020, whichever occurs sooner.
- Small initiatives: We like to fund small projects, so the total cost of the project needs to be £15,000 or less.
- Grassroots organisations: Near Neighbours particularly seek to fund emerging local groups as well as charities, religious organisations and other not-for-profit organisations whose focus is on local work.
Grants awarded in the past have offered funding to a broad range of work; environmental, social, cultural, artistic, and sporting, that furthers the programme’s aims of encouraging social interaction and social action.
Grants for chemistry-based public and schools engagement activities
Grants of up to £2,000 are available from the Chemistry Society through the Small Grants Outreach Fund. The Fund provides financial support to members, individuals and organisations to enable them to run chemistry-based public and school engagement activities.
Grants can support anything from one off events to large programmes of activity and should aim to offer teachers a range of effective curriculum-enriching activities and opportunities to further engage their students with outreach; provide hard-to-reach student audiences with inspiring chemistry engagement opportunities, and assist members in maximising their outreach and engagement contribution.
Applications for schools engagement activities should demonstrate how the proposed activities will:
- enrich student’s chemistry education and not solely deliver the curriculum
- provide students with opportunities to explore chemistry through local contexts, AND/OR
- demonstrate career opportunities and develop employability skills, AND/OR
- provide opportunities which would not normally be accessible to the students taking part, e.g. for hard-to-reach student audiences.
The scheme is open to individuals and organisations, including, but not limited to, members of the Royal Society of Chemistry, member-led groups, schools, researchers in academia or industry, museums, community groups, not-for-profit organisations, arts groups and libraries.
It is a rolling application process and the next deadline is 12 noon on the 9th September 2019.
The Society also runs a large grants programme for grants of between £2,000 and £10,000. This is currently closed to applications.
Funding for projects that tackle the root causes of social inequity
The next closing date for grant application to the Scurrah Wainright Charity is the 14th September 2019.
The Charity supports a wide range of charitable projects with an emphasis on social reform and tackling the root causes of social inequity. The charity favours causes that are outside the mainstream, and unlikely to be funded by other charities. Typically, grants are between £1,000 and £5,000.
The charity runs three funding programmes:
- Yorkshire. Trustees give priority to applicants working in the Yorkshire region. Your organisation need not be based in the region but the project itself must directly benefit the Yorkshire community. We fund national charitable organisations ONLY if the project is specifically working in the Yorkshire region, with clear evidence of local control and access to the grant.
- Southern Africa, particularly Zimbabwe.
- Projects that have applied to the Andrew Wainwright Reform Trust because they meet the AWRT’s broad objectives to work for a just and democratic society and to redress political and social injustices, but have not been able to proceed with an application to that Trust because they are eligible for charitable funding.
Previous organisations supported include:
- The Boaz Trust a Christian organisation serving destitute asylum seekers in Greater Manchester which received a grant of £2,000.
- The Grandparents Association in Leeds which received a grant of £4,800.
Organisations applying do not have to be a charity, but its work must satisfy the Charity Commission’s definition of charitable purposes and public benefit.
Maintenance grants for churches
Churches can apply for grants of up to £500 (excl. VAT) towards the cost of building’s maintenance services. The grant will cover up to 50% of the cost of works.
Churches are only eligible to apply for a Preventative Maintenance Micro-Grant if they book one of the following services through the MaintenanceBooker website:
- Rainwater goods maintenance;
- Lightning protection system repairs;
- Asbestos removal;
- Masonry repairs and high level maintenance (from June 2019).
The National Churches Trust accepts applications from listed and unlisted churches, chapels and meeting houses of any age, as long as they are open for regular public worship and are located within an area covered by MaintenanceBooker services.
The funding is being made available through the National Churches Maintenance Micro-Grant Programme and applications can be submitted at any time. There are no application deadlines.
This document is produced by Corporate Policy, Research and Partnerships, Blackburn with Darwen Council.
Tel: 01254 585825