Grant News
The UK Government has launched a £9.5 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund aimed at tackling digital exclusion and boosting access to online services across the in the UK. The Fund forms part of the Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps and the wider government Plan for Change strategy.
The fund aims to help identify and replicate what works in bridging digital divides, while ensuring communities most at risk of exclusion—such as older people and low-income households—benefit from lasting change.
Eligible initiatives include
- digital skills training for groups such as older people, job seekers and low-income households;
- schemes improving access to devices and connectivity, including tackling data poverty;
- programmes that build confidence and motivation through mentoring or community champions.
The fund will also back innovative pilots and research that generate evidence on effective approaches, alongside scaling up proven best practices to reach new communities. Additionally, grants can cover capital assets, such as devices, assistive technologies and software to improve access.
Grants will range from £25,000 to £500,000, with projects required to complete by 31 March 2026.
In England, £7.242 million of the fund will be distributed across three categories:
- scaling up proven best practices (£2.594m),
- supporting research and development of new interventions (£3.380m),
- and capital funding for equipment and software (£1.267m).
The remaining budget will be allocated to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland through devolved administrations, amounting to £764,020, £400,368 and £267,249 respectively.
Eligible applicants include local authorities, combined authorities, charities, research organisations, and consortiums led by these bodies. Private companies may participate only as delivery partners.
Applications close on 10 September 2025.