Ministry of Defence

Could Ministry of Defence fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £5,000 – £50,000
Where they fund: local community, UK
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Online form

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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About Ministry of Defence

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is the UK government department responsible for protecting the nation and supporting the Armed Forces community. Its funding programmes aim to strengthen local ties between civilian and military communities, nurture public understanding of the Armed Forces, and recognise the sacrifices of service personnel, veterans, and their families. The MOD also supports defence-related innovation with commercial potential. Its funding character combines community welfare with strategic industrial development, reflecting its dual role as a government department and a grant-maker.

What Ministry of Defence funds

The MOD funds projects that encourage local communities to support the Armed Forces community, including initiatives that foster public understanding and recognise sacrifices. It also supports industrial research and commercialisation that aligns with defence capability challenges and has a clear defence use. Work can take place in local communities across the UK. Supported activities include community events, integration projects, and innovation with defence applications.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants include community groups, registered charities, faith groups, and schools. The MOD prioritises projects that benefit serving personnel, veterans, and their families, as well as the wider public. Organisations should be based in the UK and able to deliver outcomes locally. There is no religious restriction on applicants.

What Ministry of Defence doesn't fund

The MOD does not fund salaries, capital works, research outside defence applications, ongoing costs, fundraising activities, endowments, medical treatment, retrospective funding, or projects that duplicate existing grants. It also excludes monuments, investments, and activities that are a statutory obligation of the state.

How they like to fund

The MOD funds specific projects and initiatives, with some programmes requiring match funding from partners. It accepts unsolicited applications. Funding is directed at both community welfare projects and defence innovation, with a focus on tangible outcomes and collaborative partnerships.

How much does Ministry of Defence give?

Ministry of Defence runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 23 sourced facts

Community Covenant Grant SchemeCurrently closed

£100 – £250,000

Two-stage process
3 rounds a year

Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP)

Two-stage process
Match funding required

Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.

What Ministry of Defence funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Encourage local communities to support the Armed Forces Community; nurture public understanding; recognise sacrifices.

Where they fund

local communityUK

Costs they'll cover

ResearchProject delivery

They don't fund

SalariesResearchCapital works & buildings

The full exclusions list (1)

Topping up existing grants, repeat projects, monuments, research, investments, ongoing costs, fundraising, staff costs beyond 12 months, endowments, state obligations, medical treatment, retrospective funding, wage subsidy, contingency, management fees

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Mental healthEducationCommunity

How to apply to Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence takes applications via online form.

Published programme route: two-stage process.
Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

What Ministry of Defence's application asks

We hold the 11 questions from Ministry of Defence's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.

Question 1

“Is the proposal seeking to address MOD Enduring Capability Challenge Area / DTEP Technical Area?”

Question 2

“Is there a clear defence use and commercialisation plan for the project, with benefit to the defence supply chain?”

9 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.

How it works

1
Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
2
See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
3
Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Ministry of Defence could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Ministry of Defence provide?

Ministry of Defence runs 2 grant programmes — Community Covenant Grant Scheme: £100 – £250,000.

Where does Ministry of Defence fund charities?

Ministry of Defence funds charities operating in local community, UK.

Does Ministry of Defence accept unsolicited applications?

Ministry of Defence accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

What does Ministry of Defence not fund?

Their published exclusions include: Topping up existing grants, repeat projects, monuments, research, investments, ongoing costs, fundraising, staff costs beyond 12 months, endowments, state obligations, medical treatment, retrospective funding, wage subsidy, contingency, management fees. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from Ministry of Defence?

Ministry of Defence takes applications via online form. Published programme route: two-stage process.