The National Development Project Fund and Challenge Fund are now open for applications.

These funding streams have been developed from the £20 million investment through Scottish Government’s 2017 Programme for Government (PfG) to support activities around seeking and supporting new innovative approaches to tackling problem alcohol and drug use, as well as responding to the needs of patients in a more joined-up person centred way.

The National Development Project Fund

This fund provides opportunities for joint approaches at both a national and local level in projects of national significance, with £1 million to this fund for 2018 – 19.

All projects wishing to apply for the fund must align with the following priorities for 2018 – 19:

advocacy Services (2 year funding with an optional 1 year extension)
families: testing the role of family members (2 year funding with an optional 1 year extension)
new approaches to recovery: new models (2 years only)

There are 2 funding routes:

projects of national significance
testing opportunities for joint approaches at both a national and local level, which have national significance (as detailed in the priorities above)

Applications must have a minimum cost bid per financial year of £20,000 and a maximum of £75,000. Funding for successful applications will be paid per financial year and must be spent within that financial year.

The deadline for applications to the National Development Project Fund is Thursday 6^th December.

To apply, or for further information (including guidance notes), please visit the Scottish Government website.

Alternatively, for further information, contact:

Nick Smith by phone: 0131 244 5942, or email: Nicholas.smith@gov.scot
Amanda Adams by phone: 0131 244 2278, or email: Amanda.adams@gov.scot

The Challenge Fund

The Challenge Fund is managed by the Corra Foundation, and will provide space to re-think the system (or parts of the system), test change and implement new ways of working. The aim is to help break down barriers for people when accessing services or receiving the right support, and as a result achieve better and more sustainable positive changes in people’s lives.

The Challenge Fund offers 2 opportunities to access funding:

Getting Ready For Change, which will enable local areas to help understand and improve blocks in their system
Support Change, which tests ideas ready for implementation, where mapping has already been undertaken and there is a strong understanding of systems and proposed changes

The fund will aim to look specifically at:

clinical pathways
stepped care (the right support at the right time)
whole family approaches
new approaches to alcohol-related harm
new early support tailored to changing patterns in young people’s drug and alcohol use

Priority will be given to proposals with a focus on clinical pathways around alcohol detox and opiate replacement. A secondary focus will be given to proposals on systems for mental health, homelessness or employability. All applicants must be able to demonstrate collaborative and partnership working across all sectors in the proposal, and all outcomes from successful applications will be evaluated.

The deadline for applications to the Challenge Fund is Thursday 7^th February.

To apply for the Challenge Fund, or for further information, please contact Rowan Anderson by phone: 0131 444 4020, or email: rowan@corra.scot

Alternatively, for further information view the FAQ document.