GrantMatch

Health & Social Work grants open this month (April 2026)

April 2026 health & social work grants now open: multi-million research funds plus community project funding for MSK hubs and practical solutions.

April 2026 brings a mixed bag for health and social work organisations. While several major research funds dominate the headlines with multi-million pound budgets, there's decent funding available for community-level projects and smaller businesses developing practical solutions.

Worth applying to

Expanding Access to MSK Physical Activity Hubs in the Community

This Department of Health and Social Care fund offers up to £2.75 million for new musculoskeletal Physical Activity Hubs across England. Perfect for community organisations, charities, or social enterprises wanting to help people with back pain, joint problems, or mobility issues. The deadline is 28 March 2026, so you've missed this round, but it's worth watching for future openings.

BBC Children in Need Core and Project Funding

A reliable option for charities working with disadvantaged children and young people. Grants go up to £40,000 over three years, with rolling deadlines throughout the year. They fund both specific projects and core costs like staff salaries. You need to work with children under 18 who face disadvantage through disability, illness, or social circumstances.

The Movement Fund

Sport England's Movement Fund gives £300 to £15,000 for projects that get people active, particularly those who don't currently exercise. Community groups, charities, and small organisations can apply on a rolling basis. Great for mental health charities wanting to add physical activity components, or community centres developing wellbeing programmes.

Healthy Holidays

Leeds Community Foundation offers up to £22,000 for groups running holiday activities with healthy food for children in Leeds. Applications close 17 April 2026. You need to provide activities during school holidays and include nutritious meals or snacks. Local community groups and small charities should definitely consider this if you're in the Leeds area.

Also open

The remaining grants fall into two camps: massive research funds aimed at universities and pharmaceutical companies, or smaller local pots for specific areas.

Large-scale research and development (probably not for most readers):

Business and innovation funding:

Local and community grants:

Tips for health & social work applications

Show your impact with numbers. Funders want to see how many people you'll help and what difference you'll make. Don't just say "we'll improve wellbeing" - specify "we'll reduce social isolation for 50 older adults" or "we'll help 25 families access mental health support."

Demonstrate local need clearly. Use local statistics, waiting lists, or survey data to prove demand for your service. Health funders particularly value applications that reference local health needs assessments or joint strategic needs assessments from your council.

Include sustainability plans from the start. Most health and social care funders worry about what happens when their money runs out. Show how you'll continue the work through other funding, earned income, or by embedding the project into existing services.

Set up alerts for health & social work grants to catch new opportunities as they open.