Applications are currently open for the Education Support Fund; a programme that awards grants to schools to help address additional challenges that children from Armed Forces families may face. Grants awarded under this programme are typically in the region of £50,000- £60,000. Applications to this programme need to be submitted by 30 September 2022.
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is working with the MOD to deliver funding to high quality projects that will have significant impacts for Armed Forces Families through the Armed Forces Families Fund.
Grants are available for projects that reduce the negative impact of mobility and/or separation on Service children, and can be used to support children from both Regular Forces and Reserves Forces families, if the family member is in Full Time Reserve Service. Funding is available to schools to help mitigate the effects of exceptional mobility and/or separation faced by Service children.
Schools can apply directly to the programme or via their local authority or academy trust. Clusters of schools can also apply.
Strong applications will be able to show they have support from the local Armed Forces Bases or Units.
Applications need to show how it will meet at least one of the priorities of the Fund.
- Provide support for schools directly affected by mobility and/or separation.
- Meet staffing and training needs due to unforeseen increases in Service pupil numbers.
- Provide community support to help build and maintain relationships between schools, local authorities and Service families.
- Provide educational resources linked to Service pupil intake.
- Provide funding for refurbishment of existing resources within the school (no capital works).
Mobility related projects will help to reduce the impact on children moving to different schools due to their parent(s) service. Separation related projects will support families where the serving parent(s) are away from the family for a continuous period of one month or more on operational tours, long exercises, training courses or similar. Projects could address one or both of these needs.
Previous grants are generally in the region of £50-£60,0000 though eligible organisations can apply for smaller and larger amounts. It would be unlikely for a grant of more than £100,000 to be awarded. Applications must show why their projects offer good value.
Applications must be submitted before 30 September 2022.
Find out more at www.covenantfund.org.uk/education-support-fund
A funding programme to support children from Armed Forces Families who are in early years settings such as nurseries will open in September 2022.
Further programmes to support Armed Forces families will open in 2023; and interested organisations can register for updates at www.covenantfund.org.uk
