Department of Health and Social Care

The Department supports projects that streamline adult social care assessments, reduce waiting times, and prepare for charging reforms. It also funds initiatives to reduce smoking prevalence and address health inequalities across England. Causes include older people, disability, carers, physical health, mental health, and children and youth. Work can involve project delivery, equipment, training, salaries, and research. All funded activity takes place in England, with beneficiaries including older people, disabled people, carers, young people, women, and ethnic minority communities.

Eligible applicants are organisations only, typically registered charities and other not-for-profit organisations. Some programmes also invite local authorities. Applicants must be based in England or able to deliver work in England. The Department prioritises projects that benefit older people, disabled people, carers, young people, women, and ethnic minority communities. Organisations should demonstrate alignment with national health and social care priorities.

The Department does not provide general charitable support outside of its strategic grant programmes. Some programmes exclude communications activities. Grants are designed to complement broader government objectives rather than fund standalone or non-strategic work.

The Department awards both one-off and multi-year grants, depending on the programme. Funding can cover project delivery, equipment, training, salaries, and research. They operate through targeted grant programmes with open calls or invitations, and may require no match funding. Grants are typically non-ringfenced and aligned with specific policy goals.