Aims/priorities: A key change this year is that there are two project pathways, and applicants should offer support along one of the pathways:
- In-service support – for projects providing support to currently serving personnel and their family members where care needs significantly affect daily family life. Beneficiaries under this pathway will wish to keep serving in the armed forces and support will be tailored to enable them to do so.
- Moving on from service life – for projects providing support for families who are either transitioning out of the armed forces or within two years of leaving service and which will enable them to adjust to changing circumstances. Support may also be available for families affected by service-related ill-health that emerges later in civilian life and causes disruption to family functioning.
All projects must meet at least one of the following outcomes:
- Armed forces families with care needs report increased knowledge of, and confidence in accessing, information, advice, guidance and services relevant to their circumstances.
- Armed forces families with care needs report reduced loneliness and isolation, improved emotional wellbeing and increased resilience.
- Armed forces family members in a caregiving role develop skills, knowledge or confidence that improves their readiness to pursue volunteering, training or employment when the time is right for them.
Who can apply? Applications will be considered from:
- Charities registered with one or more of the charity commissions for England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland for at least three years at the time of their application and able to provide published accounts for all three years if requested.
- Community Interest Companies (CICs) incorporated in the UK for at least three years and have submitted three years’ of accounts to Companies House at time of application.
- Local authorities.
- NHS organisations.
Charities and CICs which do not have substantial recent experience of working with the Armed Forces community can apply. However, applicants must be able to demonstrate significant knowledge of the Armed Forces community, or the proposed project must be delivered in partnership with another organisation (or organisations) which do have substantial recent experience of working with Armed Forces communities or which are Armed Forces specific.
Local authorities and NHS organisations would be expected to work in partnership with other relevant organisations. They must show that all proposed activities are additional to their statutory responsibilities. Work must be over and above their existing work to meet the Armed Forces Covenant Duty.
Grant amount: Between £100,000 and £200,000 are available for projects being delivered for two to three years.
Application process: The programme guidance, faqs, application questions and online application portal can be found on the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust website.
Contact the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for further information.
Deadline: Wednesday, 4 November 2026 (12 noon)
Contact information: Contact us - Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
Website: Family Focus programme - Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust