Deadline: 28-Nov-2025
The Department of Health has opened applications for its Core Grant Funding Scheme for 2026/27, inviting voluntary and community sector organisations to apply for financial support that contributes to key departmental outcomes and strategic initiatives.
The funding focuses on four main objectives: Public Health, including reducing Health Inequalities; Supporting Adults, including those with disabilities and vulnerabilities, to live an independent, healthy and inclusive life; Supporting children and young people, including those with disabilities and vulnerabilities, and their families; and Improving the mental health and wellbeing of the population.
Each of these four policy areas has been allocated £450,000, divided into two funding tiers. A total of £350,000 is set aside for smaller bids ranging from £5,000 to £24,999, while £100,000 is reserved for larger bids between £25,000 and £50,000. This funding structure ensures both emerging and established organisations can access resources suited to their operational scale and capacity.
To be eligible, organisations must demonstrate that the proposed activities will benefit the Northern Ireland population and operate within Northern Ireland. They must also be independent, not-for-profit entities with a formal constitution defining their aims, objectives, and governance structure. Applicants are required to have appropriate governance and financial controls in place and comply with all relevant legislative requirements, including those related to safeguarding, health and safety, equality of opportunity, and data protection.
Applications from individuals, statutory bodies, commercial entities, academic institutions, trade unions, or political parties will not be considered. Projects associated with political activities are also ineligible.
Eligible activities under this scheme include supporting the development and implementation of departmental strategies and policies through representation on departmental structures, ensuring that service users’ voices are heard and effectively represented, promoting social inclusion and quality of life, facilitating capacity building within the voluntary and community sector through training and information-sharing, and encouraging collaboration and cooperation among organisations within the sector.
Through this grant scheme, the Department of Health seeks to strengthen the voluntary and community sector’s role in improving public health, promoting inclusion, and ensuring that people across Northern Ireland can live healthier, more connected, and fulfilling lives.
For more information, visit Department of Health.