Aims/priorities: The funding is for projects that address misinformation and barriers, share information, and increase support for donation among Black, Asian, mixed heritage and minority ethnic communities.
The focus of the proposed projects must be one of the following:
- Deceased organ donation – applications are encouraged from all ethnic minority communities to raise awareness of, and participation in deceased donation. Other forms of organ donation may be referenced in applications, but the focus must be on deceased organ donation.
- Blood donation - due to clinical need, funding is for projects focusing on the Black African and/or Black Caribbean communities.
- A combination of deceased organ and blood donation - applications jointly covering deceased organ donation and blood donation from all ethnic minority communities will be accepted; however, the blood element of any project must focus on engaging the Black African and/or the Black Caribbean communities and must be carried out in England.
- Living kidney donation - applications are encouraged from all minority ethnic communities to raise awareness of, and participation in living kidney donation.
Who can apply? Registered charities, limited companies, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies, or unincorporated groups may apply.
Grant amount: The total funding pot of £600,000 is divided as follows:
- Blood donation: funding pot of £300,000 (projects engaging Black African and Caribbean communities only).
- Deceased organ donation and living kidney donation: funding pot of £300,000 (projects must be focused on engaging all ethnic minority and faith communities
- Combined blood and deceased organ donation – funded through a combination of the blood and organ donation funding pots
The blood element of the project must focus on Black African and Caribbean communities.
There are two funding levels:
- Larger, strategic awards of up to £50,000 per year for established partners delivering sustained impact.
- This is for organisations looking to deliver a project focusing on blood donation, living kidney donation or combined deceased organ and blood donation projects can apply for this funding band.
- Smaller grants of £10,000 to £20,000 per year for innovative smaller/grassroots organisations.
- This is for organisations looking to deliver a project focusing on blood donation, living kidney donation, deceased organ donation or combined deceased organ and blood donation projects can apply for this funding band.
All projects will now be funded for a two-year funding period.
All projects for the new funding round will be 24 month projects, running from December 2026 to December 2028.
Application process: All relevant documents can be found on the NHS Blood and Transplant website.
Deadline: Tuesday, 24 November 2026 (23:59).
Contact information: email the Community Grants team