Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker.
Funding News
Atypical Generation Fund (Previously known as d/Deaf and Disabled Artist Support Fund or DDASF)
University of Atypical is delighted to announce that their annual individual artist support grants will return in 2026 with a new name to recognise that the Atypical Generation Fund enables artists who are d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent to generate new work, generate greater sectoral profiling and find time to generate new connections and skills. The grant process will not change significantly, and twenty £1000 Atypical Generation Fund awards will be made in April 2026. The opening date for applications will be in late January or early February 2026. More information on the application process for Atypical Generation Awards will be available soon.
Victims Support Programme 2026-28 Expression of Interest Process
VSS is inviting Expressions of Interest from experienced organisations to deliver Psychological/Talking Therapies (to include Family Therapy) for victims and survivors of the Troubles/conflict* who are aged under 18. This provision contributes to The Executive Office’s Strategy for Victims and Survivors of the Troubles/Conflict 2024–2034. Closing date: 30 January 2026 at 12 noon.
Arts & Business NI: Investment Programme
Their Investment Programme helps organisations ignite long-term partnerships, reach new audiences, connect with communities, support business solutions, and deliver world-class arts and culture. This competitive match-fund supports new or existing partnerships between an arts/cultural organisation and a business in Northern Ireland with awards of up to £15,000 match-funding. Open to both A&BNI members and non-members. Deadlines for 2026 are available. Upcoming deadlines include 30 January and 27 March 2026.
Cardfactory: Local Community Fund
Cardfactory Foundation launches new website detailing a range of funding opportunities in support of their mission: to help people and communities at ‘Moments that Matter’. Their Local Community Fund operates in two distinct annual rounds. The Internal Round is for Cardfactory colleagues only to nominate charities, and the External Round allows eligible registered charities such as health and wellbeing services, welfare support, youth, the elderly, arts centres and hospices to apply for grants of £5,000 - unrestricted funding only. Full guidance will be provided once the fund reopens later in 2026.
NIHE: Social Investment Awards
The Housing Executive has announced the launch of its new Social Investment Grants, a funding programme designed to strengthen social enterprises within Housing Executive communities. The programme has a focus on three main priorities: Community Wealth Building, Social Value, and employment and apprenticeship opportunities. The Awards offer three levels of support. Think It – Up to £5,000 for early stage or newly established organisations and social enterprises, Boost It – Up to £10,000 for emerging organisations or social enterprises with ambitions to grow, and Grow It – Up to £35,000 for established organisations or social enterprises seeking significant growth or diversification. Funding may support innovation in fields such as social value, climate change, net zero initiatives, information technology, community wealth building, and employability or apprenticeship programmes. Scheme is now open until 20 February 2026 at 4pm.
Upcoming Deadlines
The goal of Scops Arts Trust is to help people to understand, participate in and enjoy the arts, particularly the performing arts. They are keen to find projects which widen access and have a lasting cultural impact on the community. Open to in general registered charities, they will consider applications from social enterprises, community groups, etc. if they are formally constituted and have clear charitable purposes. Hosting 3 grant rounds a year, they invite applications for a particular area of the performing arts, different in each round. Round 1 focuses on Music festivals and closes 5pm on 27 January.
Sport NI: Project Creating Opportunities
Project Creating Opportunities provides funding to connect communities, enabling more people to take part in sport and physical activity throughout Northern Ireland. Match funding, of up to £5,000, aims to help the sports sector ‘level the playing field’. Phase 2 application deadline is 29 January 2026.
Amazon Literary Partnership 2026
The Amazon Literary Partnership is back for its seventh year to provide grants to all non-profit literary organisations that inspire and champion writers across the UK and Republic of Ireland. With a core mission to develop emerging writers, support diversity, celebrate storytelling, and/or build authors’ careers, organisations should be structurally and financially sound; display energy, passion, and reach; have an online presence and an enthusiastic membership or readership. Local grantees have included Fighting Words NI and Queen’s University of Belfast Foundation. Application deadline 23:59 on 30 January 2026.
Executive Office Central Good Relations Fund (CGRF)
Executive Office Central Good Relations Fund (CGRF) supports constituted voluntary and community sector groups to deliver good relations projects where there is evidence of identified good relations need. Applications for the 2026/27 Central Good Relations Fund (CGRF) funding programme for project funding (over £2,000) will close 30 January 2026 at 4pm.
Department of Health: Support While Waiting Grant Scheme 2025/2026
The purpose of the Support While Waiting Grant Scheme is to provide meaningful, community-based support to individuals while they await treatment on Health and Social Care (HSC) waiting lists. Voluntary and community sector organisations will be eligible to apply for grants between £5,000 and £30,000 to deliver programmes that support individuals on HSC waiting lists. Submit applications by 12pm(noon) on 30 January 2026.
Events & Training
FREE: Enthuse's Digital Fundraising Labs series
NICVA is delighted to offer this series of free Digital Fundraising Labs in partnership with Enthuse, Europe’s number one charity first fundraising platform. Each session is designed to guide, inspire, energise, and empower your online fundraising approach.
FREE: Creating a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign
11 February 2026 - 6:30 to 8:00pm
Join Sport NI and Crowdfunder UK for an engaging free webinar designed to help you unlock the power of crowdfunding. Learn practical steps to create campaigns that inspire support and raise funds for your cause.
Using AI to create Social Media Content
£75 NICVA members; £110 non-members
25 February 2026 - 9:30am to 1:00pm
This session has been designed for anyone who needs to understand how AI can support their social media efforts. It is a practical session in which you will learn how to use AI tools to brainstorm ideas, create content, and improve efficiency. It will be important also for feeling confident in incorporating AI into your social media strategy while maintaining a human touch.
FREE: Funding Fayre 2026
We're pleased to announce NICVA’s Funding Fayre returns in 2026, and we’re inviting voluntary and community organisations across Northern Ireland to register their interest in joining us. Kindly supported by the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland, this event is an ideal opportunity for anyone connected with raising funds for your cause. Register now for this popular event!
Latest Articles
Guest Blog: Funding Opportunities for Churches and Christian Organisations in Ireland
Heather Pope, the new Grants Officer for Ireland with Benefact Trust, gives an overview of the support available for churches and Christian organisations across the island of Ireland.
Foyle Foundation completes spend down in December
The Foundation’s long planned spend down and closure takes place in December 2025 by when it will have distributed over £185M in total to over 7,000 charities and state schools across the UK.
**UPDATED** AI a powerful force for good?
The growing role of AI in our lives and workplace and the opportunities it presents in improving both accessibility and efficiency for organisations is apparent to many including funders. We highlight the position of some local funders and provide a list of useful resources.
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