Public Administration & Defence Grants UK
Public sector grants include funding for local authorities, councils, and government bodies. These often support digital transformation, community services, infrastructure, and partnership programmes with the voluntary sector.
There are currently 54 live grants available for public sector organisations in the UK, with deadlines ranging from 5 October 2026 to 1 April 2031.
Checked daily. Last updated 4 October 2026.
No deadline listed
Check the funder's current application window before you apply.
Cumbria Community Resilience Fund
Cumbria Community Foundation
Overview The Cumbria Community Resilience Fund provides grants to voluntary, community and parish‑level organisations across Cumbria. The fund supports community‑led activity that helps local people prepare for, withstand, respond to and recover from incidents, emergencies and local risks – such as flooding, power loss, extreme weather, access disruption or isolation – and reduces the unequal impact these events can have on local communities and diverse groups. Donor Cumbria Local Resilience Forum is made up of a wide range of organisations, working together to prepare for, respond to, and recover from major emergencies or incidents in Cumbria. This fund has been made possible through the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) Trailblazers Fund from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government which focuses on three themes: accountability; leadership; and integration of resilience in Cumbria. What is “Community Resilience”? By community resilience, we mean how well a community can prepare for, respond to and recover from incidents, emergencies, or local risks, in ways that improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities. This might include: • mitigation, planning, preparation and prevention • local response and recovery • building strong community connections • reducing risks for people more likely to be affected The Fund aims to: • help communities in Cumbria build practical resilience to emergencies and local risks • support community‑led approaches, equipment and skills • strengthen local response and recovery, especially for people more likely to be affected • support innovative or test‑and‑learn approaches where appropriate Who can apply? • charitable, not-for-profit organisations including Parish and Town Councils • organisations supporting specific communities or groups, for example minority ethnic communities, disabled people, carers, faith communities, or people facing social or economic barriers, are encouraged to apply (includes organisations working across more than one area or countywide) To apply, organisations must either: • already have a community resilience or emergency plan, or • be part of a recognised community emergency hub, or • commit to developing a plan or hub as part of the funded activity Funded organisations will be required to act as a focal reference point for the community in the planning for and during future emergency events. Organisations agree to: • be contacted during an emergency • share communications/information/updates to their community • be a reference point for community level emergency support. Support available: Support is available to help groups develop or strengthen their plans and arrangements. Funded organisations will be asked to act as a local point of contact during emergencies, including sharing information with their communities when needed. For advice and support, contact: Support.Cumbria@cumbria.gov.uk What the Fund will support (eligible costs): The Fund supports practical, innovative, community‑led activity that helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and local risks. • Community and shared resilience equipment, such as: – shared resilience equipment held by the community – power resilience equipment, such as batteries and charging solutions – storage and insurance for shared equipment – communication equipment, such as radios, satellite phones or local alert systems *If applying for a generator, applicants will be required to complete an additional information sheet and submit it with their application. • Household‑level resilience (delivered through community organisations), such as: – community‑led activity that reduces barriers during emergencies, such as communication needs or loss of power or utilities – support that helps households become better prepared for emergencies – targeted activity for households more likely to be affected during emergencies • Community preparedness, engagement and reducing inequality, such as: – raising awareness of local risks – activities that reduce unequal impacts during emergencies – community resilience events and engagement activities – improving access to emergency warnings, alerts and information – outreach to groups less likely to receive emergency information • Planning, coordination and capacity building, such as: – developing or improving local community resilience or emergency plans – testing plans and learning from exercises or real events – staff or volunteer time where this is directly linked to delivery and proportionate to the size of the grant What the Fund will not support in addition to our normal exclusions: – activities unrelated to resilience, preparedness, response or recovery – specialist search and rescue equipment – retrospective costs (already incurred) – grants paid directly to private individuals or households – routine core running costs not linked to a funded activity – statutory responsibilities that should be funded elsewhere – political or party‑political activity How much can you apply for? • Grants for equipment and activities will normally be up to £12,500. Larger, innovative or phased applications may be considered where there is clear justification and impact How to apply? • All applications are now made through our online application portal • Read our step‑by‑step portal help guide here How applications will be assessed Applications will be assessed fairly and proportionately, taking account of the size and capacity of the organisation. We will look for: • Clear need and risk, including indirect impacts (e.g. power loss, access issues) • Inclusive approaches that reduce barriers and address inequalities • Practical and deliverable proposals with realistic costs • Readiness to plan for emergencies, or a clear commitment to develop this • Value for money and clear community benefit • Learning and sustainability, including how benefits will be maintained For more information, contact: Joe Cosby, Programmes Coordinator on joe@cumbriafoundation.org or 01900 511856.
Community Covenant Grant Scheme
Surrey County Council
The Community Covenant Grant Scheme provides up to £7,000 for local projects in Surrey. The money helps strengthen connections between military families and local communities. You can use the funding for initiatives that bring Armed Forces personnel and civilians together. Local organisations can apply for projects that build mutual understanding between these groups. The scheme has rolling deadlines, so you can apply at any time. Applications are managed by Surrey County Council. Projects should focus on creating stronger ties between military and civilian communities.
Counter UAS Technologies
Innovate UK
Innovate UK is offering up to £5 million for UK registered organisations to develop counter drone technologies. These technologies must work in both civil and military settings. Counter UAS means systems that can detect, track, or stop unwanted drones. You could develop radar systems, jamming equipment, or other anti-drone solutions. The funding is for dual use technologies that have both civilian and defence applications. This is a competitive grant with multiple organisations sharing the total pot. No specific deadline is mentioned so applications may be rolling.
Blackford Community Fund
Foundation Scotland
The Blackford Community Fund provides funding to benefit residents in the Blackford Community Council area. This area is in Perth & Kinross, Scotland. The fund is charitable and aims to help the local community. No specific funding amounts are mentioned. There are no set deadlines, so you can likely apply at any time. The fund appears to support public sector and charity projects. You need to be working to benefit people who live in the Blackford area. More details about eligibility and application process are not provided.
Cambusbarron Community Fund
Foundation Scotland
The Cambusbarron Community Fund supports community projects in the Cambusbarron area of Stirling. The fund helps projects that benefit local residents. You must be working on a project in the Cambusbarron Community Council area. The funding amount is not specified. There are no set deadlines, so you can apply at any time. This appears to be a rolling application process. The fund focuses on community benefit projects.
ADR UK Academic Lead(s) 2026 to 2031: Data First (MoJ)
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
This grant funds Academic Lead positions for the Ministry of Justice Data First programme from 2026 to 2031. You can get up to £500,000 to lead innovative research across the justice system. You must be based at a UK research organisation that can receive ESRC funding. The role involves facilitating and delivering new research using justice data. This is a leadership position for academics working on justice system research. The funding covers a 5-year period. Applications appear to be accepted on a rolling basis.
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Create free accountCommunity Leadership Fund
Peterborough City Council
The Community Leadership Fund gives each of Peterborough's 60 city councillors £1,000 per year to support local community projects. You can get up to £1,000 for schemes that improve your local area. Projects should help with economic, social or environmental improvements in Peterborough. You must contact your local city councillor directly to ask for support. The deadline is 31 December 2025. This funding is only for organisations and community groups in Peterborough. Your project should align with the city's priorities and benefit your local ward.
Trees, woodlands and forestry - Woodland Creation Planning Grant
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs / Forestry Commission – Defra Trees Programme
The Woodland Creation Planning Grant pays for the cost of creating a woodland design plan. You can get between £1,500 and £30,500 in funding. The plan must meet UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) rules. Landowners, land managers, and public bodies in England can apply. Applications are open year-round with no set closing date. Funding is confirmed until March 2030.
See all 2 rounds of Woodland Creation Planning GrantChanging Futures Learning and Support Grant
The Changing Futures Learning and Support Grant funds one national organisation to coordinate learning and support across the Changing Futures initiative. This grant supports knowledge-sharing and collaboration between local areas working on system change. The funding helps strengthen delivery and maximise impact of efforts to support people with multiple disadvantages. Only one organisation will be selected to run this national programme. The grant covers North West England but involves coordinating work across multiple local areas. No funding amounts or application deadlines are specified. You would use this money to deliver learning programmes, improvement support, and knowledge-sharing activities.
See all 5 rounds of Changing FuturesESRC React Awards (pilot): outline
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
ESRC React Awards provide up to £1.5 million for urgent research that helps UK policymakers and public services. You must work with a confirmed public sector partner who will use your research findings. The funding is for time-critical projects that address immediate policy needs. You need to be based at a UK organisation that can receive ESRC funding. This is a pilot scheme with rolling applications. The research must directly support government departments, councils, or other public services. Your public sector partner must confirm they will use the project outputs.
See all 2 rounds of ESRC React AwardsHome Office - Community Engagement Fund 2026-27
Home Office
The Home Office Community Engagement Fund 2026-27 supports community projects in North West England. The fund runs from 2026 to 2027. The funding amount and application deadlines are not yet specified. Eligibility criteria have not been announced. The fund aims to strengthen community engagement activities. More details about who can apply and how much money is available will be released later. This appears to be a rolling programme rather than having fixed deadlines.
See all 2 rounds of Community Engagement FundGet new public administration & defence grants delivered weekly, free
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Frequently asked questions about public administration & defence grants
How many public administration & defence grants are available in the UK right now?+
There are currently 54 live public administration & defence grants available in the UK. GrantMatch reviews and updates hundreds of grants daily from verified sources including GOV.UK, National Lottery, Innovate UK, and UKRI.
When is the next deadline for public administration & defence grants?+
The nearest deadline for a public administration & defence grant is 5 October 2026. Some grants have rolling deadlines with no fixed closing date.
How do I get notified about new public administration & defence grants?+
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