The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), in partnership with Movember and People’s Health Trust, has launched the Men’s Health Community Fund — a new grant programme investing in community-led approaches to men’s health across England. With grants of £75,000–£125,000 available, this fund is aimed at voluntary and community organisations already doing trusted, meaningful work with men who are disengaged from mainstream health services.
The Round 1 application deadline is 15 July 2026 at 5:00 PM.
About the Funder
The Men’s Health Community Fund is a government-backed initiative led by the Department of Health and Social Care. It sits within the broader Men’s Health Strategy for England and is co-funded by Movember, the global men’s health charity, and delivered in partnership with People’s Health Trust (PHT). The fund is designed to generate practical evidence on what works in engaging men — particularly those facing multiple disadvantages — and to feed that learning directly into future health policy and service design.
What the Fund Supports
The DHSC funding stream (up to £3 million in total) supports community-based, non-clinical programmes that encourage men to prioritise their health and seek support earlier. The focus is on prevention and early intervention, not clinical treatment or crisis response.
Projects must focus on one of two target groups:
- Men aged 35–59 who are unemployed, economically inactive, or facing economic precarity
- Older men (60+) experiencing key life transitions such as retirement, bereavement, relationship breakdown, or new caring responsibilities
Within those groups, programmes must also address at least one inequality route — either population-based (e.g. men with disabilities, men from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, GBMSM, homeless men) or place-based (reaching men in IMD deciles 1–5, i.e. the 50% most deprived areas of England).
Illustrative activities include peer-led groups, sports or gaming initiatives, creative arts, nature-based programmes, and faith-based peer support — but these examples are not exhaustive. Digital-only programmes are not eligible.
How Much Is Available
Grants range from £75,000 to £125,000 per organisation. The total DHSC funding envelope is up to £3 million, though the department may not award the full amount subject to final requirements, affordability, and value for money.
Funding is paid in quarterly instalments, allocated by financial year, and must be spent within each financial year it is awarded. The overall delivery period runs to March 2029, with the earliest project start date of January 2027.
Who Can Apply
The fund is open to voluntary and community sector organisations (VCSEs) in England, including:
- Registered charities (England, Scotland or Wales)
- Charitable incorporated organisations
- Companies limited by guarantee
- Community interest companies limited by guarantee (not shares)
- Charitable community benefit societies
- Constituted community groups or voluntary organisations
Organisations must have been established for at least three months and have a minimum of three unrelated trustees, directors, or management committee members aged over 18. Companies limited by shares and LLPs are excluded.
To be eligible, your organisation must have previous experience designing and delivering at least one programme specifically for men and/or boys, with evidence of reach or outcomes. Proposed programmes must be community-based, evidence-informed, and focused on men who are underserved by formal health systems.
The Application Process
The fund runs a two-stage process:
Round 1 (Expression of Interest) Complete a short eligibility screening form first, then submit the Round 1 application. Applicants can only submit one application to the DHSC funding stream.
Round 2 (Full Application) Shortlisted organisations will be invited to submit a full application including a theory of change.
Assessment at Round 1 is scored across five areas: understanding of the target group and health inequalities (20%), organisational fit (10%), community reach and trust (20%), alignment with programme objectives (25%), and evidence base and programme design (20%). A further 5% is awarded for unique contribution.
Key Dates
- Round 1 deadline: 15 July 2026 at 5:00 PM
- Round 1 notification: 10–11 August 2026
- Round 2 opens: 14 August 2026
- Round 2 deadline: 11 September 2026 at 5:00 PM
- Outcome notification: w/c 27 October 2026
- Earliest project start: January 2027
A Q&A webinar was held on 25 June 2026. For queries not covered by the FAQs, contact: MHCF@dhsc.gov.uk
