DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
19 October 2026
The Health Minister today launched the Department of Health’s Core Grant funding scheme for 2027/2028.
The scheme is open to community and voluntary sector organisations and is intended to support them with core operating costs.
The 2027/2028 scheme largely mirrors last year’s, with the maximum bid per eligible organisation capped at £50,000. This guarantees a minimum of 64 recipients from a budget of £1.8million.
Health Minister Robbie Butler said: “Voluntary and community groups play a crucial role in the delivery of health and social care services across Northern Ireland.
“I therefore fully appreciate the importance of the Core Grant funding scheme to the sector. This money provides groups across Northern Ireland with funding assistance towards their core costs, which in turn allows them to continue providing essential services to some of the most vulnerable in our society.
“I would encourage all eligible organisations to submit applications under the scheme before the closing date of 20 November.
“Like my predecessor, I would like to commit more than the £1.8m available budget, but unfortunately this continues not to be possible given the ongoing extremely challenging financial environment.”
Under the 2027/2028 scheme, eligible organisations are invited to apply to one of four policy funds, each totalling £450,000. They are:
- Public health, including reducing health inequalities;
- Supporting adults, including those with disabilities, to live independent, healthy and inclusive lives;
- Supporting children and young people, including those with disabilities and vulnerabilities, and their families;
- Improving the mental health and wellbeing of the population.
Organisations have until 12pm on Friday 20 November to apply for funding from the scheme.
Notes to editors:
- The purpose of the Core Grant scheme is to help community and voluntary sector bodies cover their fixed costs. The scheme does not directly fund service delivery. That comes from separate funding. Further information, including application guidance, can be read here Core Grant Funding Scheme 2027-28 | Department of Health
- Through the scheme, financial contributions (ranging from £5,000 – £50,000) towards core costs will be offered on the basis that the outcomes specified in the organisation’s application form will be delivered.
The following costs are eligible:
- up to 30% of a permanent member of staff’s annual salary, excluding employer’s contributions. This is a change on the 2026/27 scheme, which had a limit of 25% of a post holder’s gross income including employers’ contributions. The change is intended to make individual salary calculations easier for applicants. The member of staff must not be involved in service delivery while funded by the Scheme;
- relevant training costs (training for staff and/or volunteers);
- relevant running costs and overheads (e.g. rent, rates, electricity, gas etc);
- equipment and minor (less than £5,000 in total) capital items. This is a change from the 2026/2027 scheme (which had a total of less than £15,000) and is intended to mitigate against the risk of organisations spending large sums on a low number of items which may not be considered strictly essential to the running of the organisation;
- management and audit costs;
- costs of involving volunteers (e.g. travel); and
- evaluation costs for the organisation or service.
