Deadline: 15-Dec-2025

The Motability Foundation is offering grants of £50,000 to £1 million to support active travel initiatives for disabled people across the UK. The funding helps organisations improve accessibility, independence, and participation through walking, cycling, wheelchair use, adaptive scooters, and other mobility solutions. Projects can include equipment provision, training, pilot programmes, research, and policy or advocacy work.

Motability Foundation Active Travel Grant

Overview

The Motability Foundation has launched a funding programme to expand and strengthen active travel options for disabled people in the UK. The initiative supports projects that make daily journeys safer, more inclusive, and empowering, promoting independence and confidence.

Key Objectives:

• Remove barriers to active travel for disabled people

• Support practical and sustainable mobility solutions

• Encourage innovation in equipment, services, and community-based approaches

• Promote inclusion, independence, and equitable access

Funding Details

• Grant Amount: £50,000 – £1,000,000 per project

• Project Duration: Up to 3 years (one, two, or three-year proposals allowed)

• Eligible Uses:

  • Purchase or hire of adaptive travel equipment (cycles, walking aids, scooters)

  • Development of community-based services for active travel

  • Pilot programmes testing innovative access models

  • Research or feasibility studies to identify barriers and effective interventions

  • Digital tools, apps, or campaigns supporting journey planning

  • Partnership, policy, or advocacy initiatives to improve local infrastructure

Focus Areas / Priorities

• Practical solutions that increase access to walking, cycling, and mobility-aid-based travel

• Training, mentoring, or peer support to help disabled people engage in active travel

• Inclusive design of projects to ensure participation across diverse groups

• Pilot or experimental approaches that could be replicated at scale

• Evidence-based research to inform policy and service delivery

Who is Eligible?

Eligible organisations must:

• Be UK-based and active for at least three years

• Be legally constituted as one of the following:

  • Incorporated Charity

  • Company Limited by Guarantee

  • Community Interest Company (CIC)

  • Community Benefit Society

  • Exempt Charity

Strongly Encouraged: Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs) because lived experience helps shape effective solutions.

Not Eligible:

• Unincorporated associations, statutory bodies, hospitals

• Companies limited by shares, organisations outside the UK

• Individuals, sole traders, political groups

• Projects that exclude participants based on religious, ethical, or other protected characteristics

How to Apply / What to Do

1. Confirm Eligibility: Verify organisational type, operational history, and compliance with funding criteria.

2. Develop a Project Proposal: Include objectives, target beneficiaries, planned activities, expected outcomes, and measurable impact.

3. Prepare a Budget: Detail costs for equipment, services, training, research, or advocacy initiatives.

4. Submit Application: Follow the Motability Foundation’s official application process and deadlines.

5. Evaluation: Applications will be assessed based on innovation, impact, sustainability, scalability, and alignment with programme goals.

Best Practices / Tips

• Emphasise how your project removes barriers to active travel

• Demonstrate long-term sustainability and replicability of the initiative

• Highlight inclusive participation, particularly of underrepresented disabled communities

• Show clear budget allocation linked to outcomes

• Include evidence or pilot data if available to support proposed activities

FAQ

1. Who can apply?
UK-based charities, DDPOs, CICs, community benefit societies, or companies limited by guarantee operating for at least three years.

2. What is the funding range?
£50,000 – £1,000,000 per project.

3. How long can a project last?
Up to 3 years; funding can be requested for one, two, or three years depending on the plan.

4. What types of projects are supported?
Equipment provision, community services, training programmes, pilot projects, research studies, digital tools, advocacy, and policy work related to active travel.

5. Are Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations prioritised?
Yes, DDPOs are strongly encouraged to apply for their expertise and lived experience.

6. Can funding cover innovation and research?
Yes, projects testing new models, researching barriers, or developing creative solutions are eligible.

7. Who benefits from this grant?
Disabled people across the UK, especially those facing barriers to active travel and mobility participation.

Conclusion

The Motability Foundation Active Travel Grant provides a significant opportunity to expand inclusive, empowering, and sustainable mobility solutions for disabled people. By funding equipment, training, innovative pilots, and policy initiatives, the programme supports greater independence, safer travel, and equitable access, helping disabled individuals move confidently and fully participate in everyday life.

For more information, visit Motability Foundation.