Grant News

To enable young people with disabilities and additional needs to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), State-funded specialist schools, Alternative Provision settings, and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) in England can apply for grants of up to £4,500 (ex-VAT) to purchase equipment for the Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition sections.

The funding, supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, also covers 75% of the 2025/26 annual DofE licence fee and provides fully funded Bronze, Silver, and Gold participation places to remove cost barriers for young people with disabilities and additional needs.

To be eligible to receive this support, the following criteria must apply:

• The organisation is a state funded Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school, Alternative Provision (AP), or Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) that receives funding through their local authority or directly from the government
• The organisation does not currently have a DofE licence
• The organisation has not terminated a DofE licence in the past six months at the point of application

Please note that independent settings are not eligible for this funding.

Applications close on 11 December 2025.

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