Cancer Charities Grant Scheme 2026/27

The purpose of the Cancer Charities Grant Scheme is to provide funding that will enable charities, voluntary and community sector organisations to deliver the greatest support to cancer patients and their families across our communities.

The Department of Health, in conjunction with representatives from the Northern Ireland Cancer Charities Coalition (NICCC), have worked together to co-design and co-produce a Cancer Charities Grants Scheme for 2026/27 that meets the needs of the sector, Department and citizens.

Available Funding 2026/27

The Department and Macmillan Cancer Support in partnership, will provide a funding provision of £1.25m, to support the Cancer Charities Grant Scheme and benefit charities, voluntary and community sector organisations across Northern Ireland in 2026/2027.

Applications are invited for grants under the following categories:

• Applications of up to £40,000 – Application form and guidance for grants up to £40,000 
• Applications between £40,001- £150,000 - Application form and guidance for grants from £40,001 - £150,000

Please read the application guidance carefully before starting an application. 

Organisations may only submit one application to the Cancer Charites Grant Scheme overall.

You may email a completed application form to:

CancerCharitiesGrantAdmin@health-ni.gov.uk

Completed paper application forms can be posted to:

DoH Cancer Charities Grant Scheme
Floor D1
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
BT4 3SQ

Completed forms must be received electronically or via post prior to the application closing date of 5pm on Friday 20 November 2026. 

Information for Applicants and Eligibility

Cancer Charities Grant Scheme 2026/27 - Information Sheet | Department of Health

To be eligible for funding, an organisation must meet the following requirements:

• Be a UK Charity Commission registered charity, or an independent not for profit organisation with a constitution or set of rules defining its aims, objectives and operational procedures.
• As stated in your Memorandum and Articles of Association, or constitutional document and/or, your Charity Commission Registration, have as a primary charitable purpose a focus on the prevention and detection of cancer and/or the provision of support for people with/or affected by cancer and; have proven experience of delivering impactful cancer services and programmes in Northern Ireland which are aligned to the core aim of the scheme. The organisation must currently be operating in Northern Ireland and be able to identify expenditure incurred by its activities in Northern Ireland.
• Be able to demonstrate that the organisation complies with all relevant legislative requirements in respect of employment, safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and equal opportunities. This includes promoting equality of opportunity and good relations in accordance with section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Applications must support the development or implementation of Department of Health policy in one or more of the following areas:

1. Delivery of the actions in the Cancer Strategy for Northern Ireland 2022 - 2032.
2. Improve cancer outcomes and support for all.
3. Support Department of Health initiatives to target waiting lists.
4. Support NI Health and Social Care (HSC) cancer services, policies or service delivery.
5. Reduce the number of cancer patients re-presenting into HSC Secondary Care.
6. Address health inequalities across Northern Ireland.

Applications should positively impact one or more of the following areas of need:

• Mental Health: e.g. Provision of counselling, psychological support for individuals, families, adults, children and young people, either with/or impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
• Living Well: Support to enable individuals living with cancer or families impacted by cancer to carry out normal daily activities that help to promote social inclusion e.g. rehabilitation, prehabilitation, physical and mental health therapies and activities.
• Practical Support Services: e.g. to transport individuals with cancer to/from appointments, support to attend or whilst attending difficult appointments.
• Awareness: e.g. Provision of information or advice on available services, processes, guidance or support for engagement in cancer screening or other HSC services.
• Education: e.g. In relation to the onset of symptoms, screening services, causes of cancer, lifestyle, pre or post treatment advice on general or specific tumours or which target differing age groups.
• Health Inequalities: e.g. Activities which promote cancer awareness in areas of deprivation and or support minority groups to access services or, encourage participation in screening programmes or promote activities or services that focus on prevention.

Please note the activities listed are indicative and not exhaustive, activities and services will be considered outside of those listed where there is sufficient evidence provided within the submitted application proposal.

The following costs are eligible:

• Salary and employer costs for qualified practitioners, therapists or sessional costs paid.
• The direct cost of materials consumed in service or programme delivery.
• The direct cost of professional supervision, development and training that supports the organisation to deliver the proposal.
• The direct cost of marketing, promotional, educational or awareness activity.
• Up to 25% overhead recovery on total eligible proposal costs.

The Department is now seeking applications for funding from 10 September 2026 until the application closing date of Friday 20 November 2026.

Completed forms must be received electronically or via post prior to the application closing date of 5pm on Friday 20 November 2026.