Access to Elected Office Fund
Funding
Up to £500,000
Deadline
4 November 2026
Location
England
Applications
Deadline: 4 November 2026
Overview
The Access to Elected Office Fund helps disabled people cover extra costs when standing for elected office. It recognises that disabled people make up around 25% of the UK population but are underrepresented in councils and Parliament. The Cabinet Office is looking for an organisation to run the fund on its behalf. The successful organisation will handle preparation, awareness raising, and day-to-day operation of the fund until 31 March 2029. Up to £500,000 is available for this administrator role. The fund will cover UK General Elections, English local and mayoral elections, and Northern Ireland local and Assembly elections. The deadline to apply is 4 November 2026.
Requirements to check
Key requirements:
- Must be able to act as fund administrator on behalf of the Government
- Must deliver preparation, awareness raising, and operation of the fund
- Contract runs until 31 March 2029
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
This grant is for organisations with the capacity to administer a government fund on behalf of the Cabinet Office. You would be responsible for running the fund, not receiving support as a disabled candidate yourself. It is not for individuals or for organisations seeking funding to stand for election.
Regions
Full details from Cabinet Office
The Access to Elected Office Fund (The Fund) is a vital initiative to address disability-related financial barriers that prevent disabled people from contesting elected office. While disabled people make up approximately 25% of the UK population, this diversity is not reflected in our local councils or Parliament. The fund will operate across specific geographic areas to complement existing devolved frameworks, covering: - UK-wide: UK General Elections. - England: Local government elections; Regional and Combined Mayoral Authority elections. - Northern Ireland: Local elections and NI Assembly elections. This multi-year grant seeks to secure an administrator for preparation, awareness raising and operation of a new Access to Elected Office Fund on behalf of the Government (until 31/3/29).
Apply by 4 November 2026 through the Cabinet Office procurement or grant process. Review the full fund documentation to understand the administrator role and requirements before applying.
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