McPin Foundation

The Foundation funds collaborative research projects, participatory evaluations, peer research training, and academic studentships. Thematic areas include peer-led interventions, young people's mental health, psychosis, loneliness, mental health inequalities, perinatal mental health, community support, and the social justice impacts of mental health. Much of this work involves evaluating innovative interventions such as digital therapies and community-based peer support. Funding is primarily directed at work that benefits communities in England, with some UK-wide and international collaborations. The Foundation also invests in capacity-building through training and studentships that develop lived-experience researchers.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, academic institutions, and community groups, with a preference for smaller to medium-sized organisations. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to lived experience leadership and participatory methods. There is no strict geographic base or income limit, but funded work must primarily benefit communities in England or the UK. Key beneficiary groups include children and young people, people with disabilities or long-term mental health conditions, socially excluded groups, and the wider public.

McPin does not fund unrestricted core costs, capital projects, or emergency appeals. Its grants are for specific collaborative research and evaluation projects; it does not support general charitable activities, service delivery, or work without a strong lived-experience focus. Applications from individuals or non-UK organisations are not accepted.

McPin funds specific collaborative research and evaluation projects rather than core costs or unrestricted grants. They do not accept unsolicited applications; all funding opportunities are published on their website and in newsletters, or arise through invitation. The Foundation typically partners with organisations to co-produce research, embedding peer researchers and lived experience throughout.