National Highways
Could National Highways fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £10,000 – £200,000
- Where they fund
- Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lower Thames region
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Two-stage application
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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nationalhighways.co.ukAbout National Highways
National Highways is the company responsible for England's Strategic Road Network. Through its Designated Funds, it supports projects that address priority business challenges, create efficiencies, and deliver value for money. The funding character is focused on innovation, research, and development that help ensure the road network of tomorrow, as well as schemes that deliver significant numbers of homes and jobs. The funder supports causes in environment, community development, employment, and education. Its mission is to manage the road network safely and efficiently while contributing to wider social and economic benefits.
What National Highways funds
They fund research into road network challenges, such as exploring priority business challenges to ensure the future road network. They also fund schemes that deliver homes and jobs while managing impacts on the Strategic Road Network. Specific themes include environment, community development, employment, and education. Projects may involve research, innovation, and development. Geographically, they fund across England, with particular focus on areas affected by the road network, such as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and the Lower Thames region. They support projects that demonstrate clear outcomes and, where required, match funding.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include registered charities, community interest companies, and community groups. They prioritise projects that benefit communities affected by the Strategic Road Network. Applicants should be based in or serve areas impacted by the road network, such as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and the Lower Thames region. There is no religious restriction. The funder welcomes unsolicited applications. They seek projects that align with their priority challenges and demonstrate clear outcomes.
What National Highways doesn't fund
They do not fund schemes that create safety risks on the Strategic Road Network. Projects with no evidence of delivering homes or jobs, or no identified match funding, are ineligible. Additionally, applicants with a current project contract addressing the same challenge will not be considered.
How they like to fund
They offer multi-year funding, as they ask for an estimate of funding required in future years. They fund both research and development projects and schemes delivering homes and jobs. Match funding is required for some schemes. They invite project ideas that respond to priority challenges, and unsolicited applications are welcome. They fund projects directly linked to the management and improvement of the strategic road network.
How much does National Highways give?
National Highways runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 19 sourced facts
- Expression of interest first
- Match funding required
- Online application form
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 National Highways funds — and what they won't
Schemes that deliver significant numbers of homes and jobs while managing impacts on the Strategic Road Network.
The full exclusions list (1)
- Schemes that create safety risks on the SRN are ineligible. Schemes with no evidence of jobs/homes or no match funding identified fail automatically.
Good to know
How to apply to National Highways
National Highways takes applications via two-stage application.
- Published programme route: expression of interest first.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What National Highways's application asks
We hold the 26 questions from National Highways's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“Section 1 - Contact details, name, email address and telephone number, address, and any existing contacts at National Highways.”
“Section 2 - Scheme details, name, location, planning application reference, highway interventions required, and scheme delivery date.”
24 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if National Highways could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does National Highways provide?
National Highways typically provides grants of £10,000 - £200,000.
Where does National Highways fund charities?
National Highways funds charities operating in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lower Thames region.
Does National Highways accept unsolicited applications?
National Highways accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does National Highways not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Schemes that create safety risks on the SRN are ineligible. Schemes with no evidence of jobs/homes or no match funding identified fail automatically.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from National Highways?
National Highways takes applications via two-stage application. Published programme route: expression of interest first.
Similar funders
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Could National Highways be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.