Core Grant Funding Scheme 2026-27

1. Public Health, including reducing Health Inequalities.
2. Supporting Adults, including those with disabilities and vulnerabilities, to live an independent, healthy and inclusive life.
3. Supporting children and young people, including those with disabilities and vulnerabilities, and their families.
4. Improving the mental health and wellbeing of the population.

To be eligible for funding, an organisation must:

• demonstrate that the funding will benefit the Northern Ireland population (i.e. the organisation must operate in Northern Ireland only or allocate the funding to costs incurred by activities in Northern Ireland).  Details to be provided in Section 4.1 of the Application form;
• be independent, not for profit, and have a constitution or set of rules defining its aims, objectives and operational procedures, bona-fide, self-governing constitutionally independent and not directly controlled by a ‘for-profit’ organisation;
• have appropriate governance and financial controls in place (If successful you will be asked at Stage 2 to demonstrate financial viability, either from your published financial accounts, or realistic financial plans and credible references); and
• comply with relevant legislative requirements in respect of employment, safeguarding, health and safety, discrimination, data protection and equality of opportunity.

Applications from individuals, statutory bodies, commercial organisations, academic institutions (schools), trade unions or political parties will not be considered. Applications where the grant may be associated with political activity are excluded.

To be eligible for funding, one or more of the following activities must be satisfied by the organisation;

• supporting the development and/or implementation of key departmental strategy and policy through representation on structures established by the Department and/or at the request of the Department;
• giving service users a voice/ensure that their views are effectively represented;
• promoting social inclusion and quality of life;
• facilitating capacity building within the sector, including through training, information-sharing and the provision of corporate [or other] services; and/or
• facilitating/enabling collaboration and co-operation across VCS organisations.

Financial contributions (ranging from £5,000 - £50,000) towards core costs will be offered on the basis that the outcomes specified in the organisation’s application form will be delivered.

The following costs are eligible:

• up to 25% of a permanent member of staff’s annual salary (the member of staff must not be involved in service delivery while funded by the Scheme);
• relevant training costs (training for staff and/or volunteers);
• relevant running costs and overheads (e.g. rent, rates, electricity, gas etc);
• equipment and minor (less than £15,000 in total) capital items;
• management and audit costs;
• costs of involving volunteers (e.g. travel); and
• evaluation costs for the organisation or service.

The Department is now seeking applications for funding from 1 April 2026 until 31 March 2027.

The application form and guidance for applicants are available by clicking below:

• Application Form
• Guidance for Applicants

Please read the Guidance for Applicants document carefully before starting an application.

You may email a completed application form to CoreGrantAdmin@health-ni.gov.uk or mail a completed physical form to:

DoH Core Grant Scheme
FCPD Admin
Room A3.7
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
BT4 3SQ

Completed forms must be received prior to the application deadline of 12pm on Friday 28^th November 2025.