Making an application
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 typically takes 6-9 months from initial enquiry application to final decision.
As part of the 2024-2027 grants programme, we introduced 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 a good fit.
Please use these resources, information and guidance before making an application:
How to apply
First 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.
You can contact us at any time using our ‘Say Hello’ form. While initial enquiries are reviewed on a rolling basis, applications are grouped into decision rounds throughout the year.
Stage 1 of the application process
We will respond to your ‘Say Hello’ enquiry within 2-3 weeks. If your application is ineligible, we will let you know and provide our reasoning.
If we’re unclear from your ’Say Hello’ form whether your work would be a suitable fit for our funding programmes, but we think it may be, we’ll invite you to an initial 30-minute Exploratory Conversation. We’ll discuss your work to get a better understanding of what you do, what you intend to do with the funding, how this relates to our funding programme, and how you perceive it is capable of contributing to transformative change within the economy or finance system.
After the conversation, we’ll reach a decision within our team about whether your work would be a good fit and could be successful compared to other applications in the strand. We will then provide you with feedback and a recommendation about whether to proceed with an application.
If we think your fit is clear, we’ll send you an email inviting you to apply, ask asking which way you would like to apply:
- Submitting a draft written application, and then receiving feedback: If you would like to submit a written application, the invitation email will ask you to book a Feedback Meeting and to request an application template – we will send this to you for you to complete a draft.
- Presenting your work in an Application Meeting to produce a draft: If you would like to present your application in a call, the invitation email will ask you to book a 60-minute Application Meeting – where we will transcribe the answers you provide verbally, to create your draft application.
Submitting written applications
If you would you have been invited to apply, and you would prefer to write your application, please reply to the invitation email requesting an application template – for you to complete a draft, and book a Feedback Meeting via the link in the invitation email.
We will send you a link to a Microsoft Word document. This needs to be ready for us to review two working days before the Feedback Meeting you have booked.
In the Feedback meeting we will respond with any comments or questions to help you provide clearer information, and a reminder of the date by which the application must be finalised.
Application meetings
If you would prefer an Application Meeting please book via the link in the invitation email.
This is a 60-minute video call on Microsoft Teams, which will be transcribed. Please let us know about any accessibility needs or accommodations we can offer at this meeting e.g. BSL interpretation.
This call is not an assessment conversation, but please come prepared to fully answer each question. We may ask questions or seek clarifications, so that together we can ensure that the application has the right information to represent your work well. We will try to complete as much of the application template as we can in this conversation, but we may ask you to come back to us with specific details or further bits of information.
Once we have all that we need, we will send you a copy of the transcript and a link to a first draft of the application in Microsoft Word, with any comments or questions to help you provide clearer information, and a reminder of the date by which the application must be finalised.
We will ask you to review the application to ensure it reflects what you want it to say and to make any changes.
You will have access to the finalised version of the application which you may use to create further applications elsewhere.
Stage 1 decision making
Applications are reviewed alongside each other by Friends Provident Foundation colleagues and an advisory panel. Find out more about these people.
We always receive far more applications than we can fund, so only those that are felt to have the best chance of success at Stage 2 will be invited to submit a second stage application. All applicants will receive notification of the outcome of their application and feedback as to why the decision was made. Those invited to Stage 2 will be sent information on how to complete this second stage application.
Stage 1 applications will receive feedback in June 2026, September 2026, December 2026 or March 2027, in line with decision rounds.