The LNER Customer and Community Investment Fund (CCIF) for 2025 is now open for applications.

In a change to previous rounds, the maximum amount that can be applied for is £10,000.

Requests over £10,000 will not be considered and will be removed from the application process.

CCIF works to support charities and causes along the LNER rail route, providing funding to small- and medium-sized projects which deliver a positive impact regarding the 3 priorities supported by the fund: Better for People, Better for Places, and Better for Planet. Applications must support at least one of these priorities.

Better for People
- Fostering a culture of equality, that champions diversity and inclusivity.
- Creating a culture of positive mental health, bringing people and communities together.
Better for Places
- Creating skilled and inclusive communities along our networks that can thrive.
Better for Planet
- Conserve resources, reduce waste and reuse where possible.

Preference will be given to small and medium charities, over larger charities.

When applying, the application should be factual and concise, clearly outlining the identified need, the method of identification, the project deliverables, and how the grant will be utilized. Applications should also:

provide a high-level budget breakdown, including the funding amount requested, the overall project budget, and any identified match funding
include a high-level, month-by-month project timeline
include details of the primary beneficiaries and expected numbers
explain the benefits the project will deliver, what success would look like, and the mechanism for capturing and measuring the benefits and impact

Funding must be spent in full, and projects completed within the financial year (April – March) in which the funding is awarded.

The applying project and charity do not need to be located within the immediate proximity of an LNER station; instead, the fund is open to those based within 15 miles of the LNER route (route map linked for your convenience), in England and Scotland. This includes the entirety of Falkirk District, with Blackness being 14.1 miles from Falkirk Grahamston station (as shown by Google Maps).

The deadline for applications is 11:59pm on Monday 25 August 2025.

For further information, including FAQs, guidance, fund timeline, and how to apply, please visit the dedicated CCIF page. Alternatively, for further information, contact LNER’s CCIF team by email: CCIF@lner.co.uk