Support While Waiting Grant Scheme 2026/27
Date published:
The Department is inviting applications to the Support While Waiting Grant Scheme 2026/27.
The scheme will open on 25 September 2026 and applications must be submitted by 12 noon on 6 November 2026. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
The purpose of the scheme is to provide meaningful, community-based support to individuals while they await treatment on Health and Social Care (HSC) waiting lists.
is the scheme intended to help people maintain or improve their health and wellbeing during extended waiting periods. Funding will support projects that provide practical assistance, mental health support, and help people to manage their own health while they wait.
It will also contribute to building capacity within the voluntary and community sector to deliver high-quality support programmes, aiming to ease pressure on statutory HSC services, consistent with the principles of the Neighbourhood Model of Care within the HSC Reset Plan.
Available Funding 2026/27
A total funding pot of £500,000 is available through the Support While Waiting Grant Scheme.
Registered charities operating in Northern Ireland will be eligible to apply for grants between £5,000 and £30,000 to deliver programmes that support individuals on HSC waiting lists.
Each eligible organisation may only submit one application to the scheme.
Funding is a one-off payment which will be awarded before 31 March 2027 and programmes should start as soon as feasibly possible thereafter. All funds must be fully spent and activity completed by 31 March 2028.
Recipients must notify the Department as soon as any underspend is identified. Any unspent funding must be repaid to the Department no later than 31 March 2028.
Applicants must also confirm that the funding requested does not duplicate any other sources of funding already secured for the same purpose.
For further information, including on eligibility and programme requirements of the Grant Scheme, please click on the link to the Fact file document below.