Ministry of Defence Covenant Fund

The Ministry of Defence Covenant Fund has four main priorities for 2016 to 2017:

1. Veterans’ Gateway;
2. Families in Stress;
3. Strengthening Local Government Delivery of the Covenant; and
4. Community Integration / Delivery of Local Services.

Priorities 2, 3 and 4 will be reviewed in two years’ time. Each priority has its own criteria, budget and application timescale.

£10 million is available each year for this fund.

The funding for each priority is as follows:

o Priority 1 Veterans' Gateway - a single grant of up to £2 million for a two-year project;
o Priority 2 Families in Stress - grants of between £20,001 and £300,000.

(PLEASE NOTE: Priorities 1 and 2 are currently closed to applications.)

o Priority 3 Strengthening Local Government Delivery of the Covenant - grants of between £20,000 and £500,000;
o Priority 4 Community Integration/Delivery of Local Services - grants of up to £20,000.

Eligibility for each of the two open priorities is as follows:

o Priority 3 Strengthening Local Government Delivery of the Covenant - A lead local authority in behalf of a cluster of local authorities.
o Priority 4 Community Integration / Delivery of Local Services - Registered charities, local authorities, schools, Community Interest Companies and Armed Forces units with a Unit Identification Number (UIN) can apply.

Applicants are expected to have experience and a track record of working with the Armed Forces community, as well as a real understanding of the issues facing the Armed Forces community.

Applicants must work closely with their Local Partnerships to ensure that their project is properly connected locally, responds to recognised need and does not duplicate other provision.

Guidance notes and expression of interest forms are available on the GOV.UK website.

There is a two stage application process.

The first step is to submit an expression of interest form.

Groups that are successful at this stage will be invited to submit a full application.

The completed expression of interest must be submitted online. Full details are in the guidance notes.

The funding rounds for Priorities 3 and 4 for 2016/17 are:

o Priority 3 Strengthening Local Government Delivery of the Covenant - closes at midday on Thursday 27 October 2016;

o Priority 4 Community Integration/Delivery of Local Services - closes at midday on Tuesday 2 November 2016.

Groups who wish to discuss their project are invited to send an email to the Grants Team at: covenant-grantteammailbox@mod.uk.

Contact details for the Fund are:

The Grants Team
Ministry of Defence
Room 222
Old War Office
Whitehall
London SW1A 2EU
Tel: 087 0607 4455
Email: covenant-grantteammailbox@mod.uk

(Source: GRIN)