Funding

VisitScotland has launched Round 55 of the National Events Programme, offering financial support to public-facing events taking place in Scotland between Wednesday 1 April 2026 – Wednesday 31 March 2027. The programme aims to strengthen Scotland’s events sector by enhancing visitor experiences, increasing tourism, and supporting local economies. The deadline for applications is 12pm on Wednesday 6 November 2025.

The Better Breaks programme is now open to applications for 2026 – 2027. Better Breaks is a funding programme of the Short Breaks Fund, operated by Shared Care Scotland on behalf of the National Carers Organisations and Scottish Government. Around £1.7 million is available for 12 month grants (April 2026 – March 2027) for short breaks projects for disabled children and young people (aged 20 years old and under), and their carers (adult carers and/or young carers). The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 3 November 2025.

The Motability Foundation has announced a major funding opportunity aimed at enhancing the resilience and sustainability of the UK’s community and shared transport sector. Grants range from £50,000 – £1 million, with funding available for projects lasting 12 months – 3 years. To apply, organisations must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) outlining their proposed project. The deadline for EOIs is Friday 30 January 2026.

The Motability Foundation has launched a large funding round aimed at significantly improving access to affordable, high-quality wheelchairs and mobility equipment for disabled people across the UK. Grants of £250,000 – £1 million are available for projects lasting 12 months – 3 years, with applications closing on Monday 15 December 2025.

Funding is available for community-based opportunities for children and families to play outdoors in local green, blue, and grey spaces, using the Play Ranger model. This fund supports registered Scottish Charities operating in SIMD 1 and 2 locations to deliver free, child-led outdoor play which improves children’s health and wellbeing. The deadline for applications is Friday 10 October 2025.

The Motability Foundation has opened a new funding round to support projects which enhance active travel options for disabled people across the UK. Grants of £50,000 to £1 million are available for projects lasting 12 months – 3 years, with a final application deadline of Monday 15 December 2025.

UK charities and not for profit organisations (with annual incomes under £50,000) can now apply for grants of up to £10,000 to deliver programmes tackling reoffending, and preventing first-time offences, among young women and girls at risk of entering the criminal justice system. The Triangle Trust’s small grants programme is specifically aimed at smaller community organisations. The deadline for applications is 11:59pm on Tuesday 21 October 2025.

The National Lottery Community Fund is working on a research project about the experience of receiving an unsuccessful funding decision, as part of its work to make this process better for applicants.

The Housing (Scotland) Bill proposes new “Ask and Act” duties, requiring public bodies to ask about housing situations early to prevent homelessness. To support this, Scottish Government has launched a £4 million Homelessness Prevention Pilot Fund. The closing date for applications is Friday 17 October 2025.

Sustrans Scotland is inviting applications for its “ArtRoots” funding programme, offering grants of up to £6,000 to support public art projects along Scotland’s traffic-free National Cycle Network. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 15 October 2025.