Local councils, combined authorities, charities, research bodies, and consortiums from across England can apply for grants of between £25,000 and £500,000 to help those currently not online to be able to access the Internet.
The funding is available to support new projects in every region of England.
To be eligible, proposed projects must contribute to either of the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund's primary objectives:
- To support innovative initiatives to increase digital participation, producing new knowledge on 'what works' and building the evidence base on effective digital inclusion interventions.
- To support best practice with the ambition to scale and replicate successful digital inclusion activities across England.
Projects must address at least one of the Digital Inclusion Action Plan Focus Areas:
- Opening up opportunities through skills.
- Breaking down barriers to digital services.
- Tackling data and device poverty.
- Building confidence and supporting local delivery.
Projects must also support at least one of the Action Plan focus demographic groups:
- Low-income households.
- Older people, specifically aged 60 and over.
- Disabled people, specifically people with a a physical or mental health condition or illness that has lasted or is expected to last 12 months or more, and the condition and/or illness reduces their ability to carry out day-to-day activities.
- People experiencing unemployment.
- Young people (25 and younger), including those not in education, employment or training (NEET).
The total amount available is £7.242 million which is comprised of three types of funding:
- Category 1: £2.594 million to be allocated to support a wide range of projects with a particular emphasis on replicating or scaling examples of best practice in digital inclusion interventions.
- Category 2: £3.380 million to be allocated to support innovative interventions that produce new knowledge and help fill evidence gaps on effective digital inclusion interventions. These projects must meet the R&D criteria in Annex C of the Government's Consolidated Budget Guidance 2024-25.
- Category 3: £1.267 million to be allocated to physical and intangible assets that can be capitalised. This equipment and inventory to support the delivery of digital inclusion activities may include laptops, devices, and new software.
Applicants will need to specify at least one category of funding they are requesting. They must also specify the amount being requested. Applicants can apply for a mix of funding from categories 1 and 3, or 2 and 3.
All applicants can apply for grants of £25,000 to £500,000 regardless of the organisation, category of funding, or region of England.
This is a one-year fund for 2025/26. All funded activities must be completed by 31 March 2026.
The deadline for applications is 10 September 2025 (15:00)
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