More than £16 million has been awarded to over 100 organisations across the United Kingdom in the latest funding round announced in January 2026. The capital funding supports a wide range of projects with a primary focus on research, education, health, disability services, and cultural infrastructure, reaching communities from Scotland and Wales to Northern Ireland and the south of England.
The funded projects include gallery refurbishments, new rehearsal and learning facilities, specialist research equipment, and the redevelopment of essential community spaces such as hospice inpatient units, school science laboratories, and residential accommodation for individuals with complex support needs. The geographic spread of recipients highlights a nationwide commitment to strengthening infrastructure that supports learning, care, and cultural engagement.
Within science and medicine, research-intensive universities and institutions are receiving support to expand and modernise research facilities. Queen’s University Belfast has been awarded £1.2 million to establish an advanced ophthalmology suite within the iREACH Health clinical research innovation centre. The facility will accelerate the translation of eye research into clinical trials, with a focus on ageing, early disease development, and the impact of neurological and genetic conditions on vision.
Funding for health and disability services is supporting charities that provide care for people with complex needs, older populations, and individuals requiring specialist medical support. In the Cheshire countryside, David Lewis has received £100,000 to help construct three new residential bungalows that will support independent living for residents with complex needs through access to education, training, and therapeutic programmes.
In Newcastle, St Oswald’s Hospice has been awarded £100,000 to refurbish its adult inpatient, day services, and children’s hospice facilities. The improvements will enhance infection control, safety standards, and patient comfort, ensuring welcoming and supportive environments for individuals and families receiving end-of-life care.
Cultural organisations across the UK are also benefiting from the funding round. Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales has received £350,000 to support the major redevelopment of the National Slate Museum in Llanberis. The project will conserve and restore historic Victorian quarry workshops, improve accessibility, and strengthen the museum’s role as a gateway to the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In east London, Discover Children’s Story Centre has been awarded £200,000 to create new gallery spaces designed to support early literacy and child development. The project includes an innovative multi-storey gallery inspired by the natural world, aimed at fostering creativity and storytelling among young children.
Support for education extends to secondary schools and sixth form colleges, with dozens of grants awarded for facilities in science, technology, the arts, and performance. Rushcliffe Spencer Academy in Nottinghamshire will use a £90,000 grant to develop new science laboratories that enhance practical learning, while Balfron High School near Stirling has received £40,500 for specialist equipment to support design, music, and art education for students from a rural catchment area.
Overall, the £16 million funding round reflects a strategic investment in research excellence, inclusive education, community health, and cultural heritage, strengthening essential infrastructure and creating long-term benefits for communities across the United Kingdom.
