Core Grant Funding Scheme 2027-28

The Department awards grants to voluntary and community sector organisations which are, through the work of the organisation, contributing towards the outcomes envisaged by the key departmental strategic and policy initiatives outlined below:

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.

Organisations must either deliver front-line services based on identified need or provide central support services, which are in line with DoH strategic and policy objectives, and particularly the vision for the HSC articulated in the Reset Plan – available at https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/health-and-social-care-reset-plan.

Core costs are the essential running expenses that keep a charity operational, rather than specific projects.

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);
• be a registered charity, independent, not for profit, and have a constitution or set of rules defining its aims, objectives and operational procedures;
• have appropriate governance and financial controls in place; 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 30% 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;
• relevant running costs and overheads;
• equipment and minor (less than £5,000) capital items;
• management and audit costs;
• costs of involving volunteers; and
• evaluation costs for the organisation or service.

The Department is now seeking applications for funding from 1 April 2027 until 31 March 2028.

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

• Application Form 
• Guidance for Applicants – completing the application form  
• Guidance for Applicants – application process and background information  
• Core Grant – FAQs 

Please read the accompanying Guidance documents 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 20 November 2026.