Apply for the Supporting Partners Programme (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 23-Sep-2026

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is inviting applications for the Supporting Partners programme, which provides funding to improve support systems and opportunities for partners of serving personnel, including reservists.

The programme is delivered through the Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3) and focuses on projects that help military partners overcome barriers, develop skills, access employment opportunities, and improve wellbeing.

The initiative recognises the specific challenges faced by armed forces families and aims to create stronger, more accessible support networks.

Purpose of the Supporting Partners Programme

The Supporting Partners programme is designed to strengthen services and opportunities available to partners of serving personnel.

The programme supports projects that:

• Improve access to practical support services.
• Help partners use and develop existing skills and experience.
• Enable informed personal and career decisions.
• Reduce barriers to employment and professional development.
• Increase confidence through training, career changes, and new ways of working.
• Improve access to employment support suited to military lifestyles.
• Increase understanding among employers and service providers about military family challenges.
• Promote better mental health, wellbeing, confidence, and empowerment.

Funding Available Through the Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3)

The programme provides:

• Grant amount: £10,000 to £150,000.
• Project duration: Up to three years.
• Funding focus: Supporting partners of serving personnel, including reservists.

Funding will support projects that respond to:

• Current needs of military partners.
• Emerging challenges affecting armed forces families.
• Immediate barriers faced by individuals during service life.

Why This Programme Matters

Military life can create unique challenges for partners of serving personnel.

Common challenges include:

• Frequent relocation due to postings.
• Difficulties maintaining stable employment.
• Periods of separation from serving partners.
• Limited access to local support networks.
• Challenges balancing family responsibilities and career development.

The programme aims to ensure that partners have access to meaningful opportunities and support that reflect the realities of armed forces life.

Key Areas Supported by the Programme

Employment and Career Support

Projects may help partners:

• Access employment advice and guidance.
• Identify transferable skills.
• Develop workplace confidence.
• Overcome employment gaps caused by military mobility.
• Explore new career pathways.
• Gain qualifications and professional skills.

Skills Development and Personal Growth

Funded activities may include:

• Training programmes.
• Skills-building workshops.
• Career transition support.
• Mentoring opportunities.
• Confidence-building initiatives.

These activities should help partners make informed choices about their personal and professional futures.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support

Projects may also focus on:

• Improving emotional wellbeing.
• Increasing confidence and resilience.
• Reducing isolation.
• Creating stronger peer support networks.
• Supporting empowerment and independence.

Improving Support from Employers and Service Providers

The programme also aims to improve awareness among organisations that interact with military families.

Projects may support:

• Employer education about the challenges of service life.
• Better workplace support practices.
• Improved understanding among service providers.
• More inclusive approaches for military partners.

By increasing awareness, the programme aims to create environments where partners can access fair employment and support opportunities.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include organisations with relevant experience supporting armed forces communities.

Applicants may include:

• Registered charities with substantial recent experience working with armed forces communities.
• Community Interest Companies (CICs) with relevant expertise.
• Armed forces units or bases.
• UK universities and colleges.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Experience supporting military families or armed forces communities.
• Ability to deliver practical and measurable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of the needs of partners of serving personnel.
• Capacity to manage funded projects effectively.

Eligible Project Types

Projects can be delivered at:

• Regional level.
• National level.
• Overseas armed forces community locations.

Successful projects should:

• Remove barriers to participation.
• Promote equality and inclusion.
• Provide practical and accessible support.
• Address real challenges experienced by military families.

Examples of suitable activities may include:

• Employment support programmes.
• Career development initiatives.
• Training and skills programmes.
• Peer support networks.
• Wellbeing projects.
• Employer engagement activities.

How the Programme Works

Organisations applying for funding should follow these steps:

1. Review Programme Guidance

Applicants should carefully read the official Supporting Partners programme guidance to understand eligibility criteria, funding priorities, and application requirements.

2. Develop a Project Proposal

The proposal should explain:

• The needs of partners of serving personnel.
• The problem the project will address.
• Planned activities.
• Expected outcomes.
• How success will be measured.

3. Demonstrate Organisational Experience

Applicants should provide evidence of:

• Previous work with armed forces communities.
• Relevant expertise.
• Delivery capacity.
• Experience managing similar projects.

4. Submit a Funding Application

Applicants must complete the required application process and provide all requested information before submission.

What Funded Projects Should Achieve

Successful projects should create positive outcomes for military partners, including:

• Improved access to employment opportunities.
• Increased confidence and skills.
• Better understanding of available support.
• Stronger mental health and wellbeing.
• Greater independence and empowerment.
• Improved ability to make career and life decisions.

Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposing projects that do not directly support partners of serving personnel.
• Failing to explain the specific challenges faced by military families.
• Providing unclear project outcomes.
• Not demonstrating relevant experience.
• Submitting incomplete application information.
• Designing activities without considering service-related mobility and separation challenges.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Clearly identify the needs of military partners.
• Explain how the project removes barriers.
• Show evidence of previous successful work.
• Include measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrate how activities will create long-term benefits.
• Ensure the project design reflects the realities of armed forces life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Supporting Partners programme?

The Supporting Partners programme is a funding initiative from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust that supports projects improving services, employment opportunities, skills, and wellbeing for partners of serving personnel, including reservists.

How much funding is available?

Projects can apply for grants ranging from £10,000 to £150,000.

How long can funded projects run?

Projects can receive funding for a maximum duration of three years.

Who can benefit from these projects?

The programme benefits partners of serving personnel, including reservists, by helping them access employment support, skills development, wellbeing services, and other opportunities.

Can projects operate outside the UK?

Yes. Projects may support armed forces communities overseas as well as regional or national communities.

What types of organisations are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include registered charities, Community Interest Companies, armed forces units or bases, and UK universities or colleges with relevant experience supporting armed forces communities.

What challenges should projects address?

Projects should address challenges such as employment barriers, frequent relocation, separation, limited access to services, confidence issues, and wellbeing needs experienced by military partners.

Conclusion

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust Supporting Partners programme provides an important opportunity to strengthen support for partners of serving personnel and reservists. Through grants of £10,000 to £150,000, the programme will fund initiatives that improve employment access, skills development, confidence, wellbeing, and empowerment.

Eligible organisations with experience supporting armed forces communities are encouraged to develop projects that remove barriers, improve inclusion, and create meaningful long-term benefits for military families.

For more information, visit Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.