How to Apply

We operate a two-stage application process – our intention is that this allows you to test your ideas with us before committing to writing a full application. Please note that it takes 6-9 months from first application to funding being awarded to successful applicants.

As part of the 2024-2027 grants programme, we are introducing a more conversation-based approach to the first stage of applications – our hope is that this will reduce the workload for applicants, by taking on more of the early-stage work ourselves. It will also allow us to give you faster feedback if we feel an application is not going to be a good fit. You can read more about this and what to expect in our Stage One Explainer.

Preliminary steps

• Use our eligibility quiz to check that your work is a fit
• Use our say hello function to tell us about your work and state your interest in making an application

Stage 1 of the application process

• If your work is relevant to our agenda we will get in touch with you (If not we will offer an explanation at this point)
• If we feel we need more information to gauge fit we’ll invite you to an informal exploratory chat. If we think fit is clear we’ll invite you to an application meeting.
• You can find out more about what these meetings would look like
• Please let us know about any accessibility needs or accommodations we can offer at this meeting – e.g. BSL interpretation
• We will generate a stage 1 application for you based on this discussion
• We will check you are happy with the written application we create
• We will submit this application for review by an advisory panel, alongside other applications

Stage 2 of the application process

• If you’re successful at stage 1, we will invite you to submit a full stage two application which you will create (or give you feedback on why your work was not taken forward)
• We will hold a more detailed conversation with you about your work
• Trustees will make a final decision on your proposal at their next quarterly meeting

Application windows

This is a rolling programme which will make final grants in September 2027. Applicants can complete a ‘say hello‘ form at any time to tell us about their work and their interest in making a grant. We aim to reply within two weeks with feedback, and for eligible applications with an invitation to an online application meeting.

Four times a year, completed first stage applications (i.e. applicants have held their application meeting with us and submitted their finalised application) are presented to our Programme Advisory Group or staff decision-making panel.

The dates below are the dates our application meeting windows are open, with their corresponding application timeframes.

Application windows – 2026

Monday 16th Feb – Friday 24th April

• Finalised stage 1 applications must be submitted before Thursday 14th May and will be reviewed mid-June. Applications invited to stage 2 will be reviewed by our board in September 2026.

Tuesday 11th May – Friday 17th July

• Finalised stage 1 applications must be submitted before Friday 7th August and will be reviewed at the end of August. Applications invited to stage 2 will be reviewed by our board in December 2026.

Monday 3rd August – Friday 16th October

• Finalised stage 1 applications must be submitted before Friday 6th November and will be reviewed mid-December. Applications invited to stage 2 will be reviewed by our board in March 2027.

Monday 9th November – Friday 29th January 2027

• Finalised stage 1 applications will need to be submitted by mid-February 2027 and will be reviewed mid-March 2027. Applications invited to stage 2 will be reviewed by our board in June 2027.

The final application window for Transforming Financial Systems and New Economy Infrastructure will be open during February 2027 and April 2027. Finalised stage 1 applications will need to be submitted by mid May 2027. Applications invited to stage 2 will be reviewed by our board in September 2027.