Application Process

Please read the Guidelines carefully before starting your application, to ensure that your project is eligible. If you are in doubt, please contact the office for an informal discussion.

You will first be taken through a short questionnaire to identify which type of grant is most suitable.

Follow this link to download the application form.

You can either print out the form or save it to your computer. (If you have difficulties with the download, please contact the office.)

Complete the form and send it by surface post together with the additional information listed on page 2 of the application form. Please note that we do not accept applications by email.

Check the Guidelines for further details on what information you should include in your application.

What will happen to my application?

Applications can be submitted at any time of the year. We will acknowledge receipt of your application within 2 weeks.

Summaries of all applications are sent to Trustees with the comments of the office. You may be contacted and asked to add more details to your application.

For Large and Small Grants, if there is sufficient support from Trustees at the initial assessment, the application will be submitted to a meeting of the Grants Committee for a decision, and you will be informed of this within 6 weeks of receipt of your application. For Large Grants, an assessment visit will be made by one of the staff or an independent assessor. Meetings are usually held in January, April, July and October. Applications must be received at least 8 weeks prior to a meeting in order to be considered at the next meeting but it cannot be guaranteed that any appeal will go to a particular meeting. You will be informed in writing of the Trustees’ decision within two weeks of the meeting. If a grant is awarded, only one grant can be supported in any 12 month period.

If there is insufficient support from Trustees at the initial assessment, you will be informed within 6 weeks of receipt of your application.

If you have applied for a Fast Track grant, you should receive a final decision within 6-8 weeks of receipt of your application.

Applicants who are not successful must wait a minimum of 6 months from the date of the letter of refusal before making a further application.

Payment of Grants

Grants for Fast Tracks are usually paid at the beginning of the month following the award.

Grants for running costs awarded under the Small Grants are paid within 2 weeks of the date of the Grants Committee meeting (or from the time the project starts which must be within 3 months of the meeting). Grants for Large Grants or capital costs Small Grants are paid on receipt of invoices, and must be claimed within 12 months of the date of the award.