Our new grant strategy
What we fund, why we fund it, and how to apply for support.
Nottingham Hospitals Charity launched a new grant strategy in 2026 to make it clearer and more straightforward for staff to understand what we fund, why we fund it, and how to apply for support.
Our aim is to ensure funding is accessible, transparent, and aligned with improving patient care, staff wellbeing, research, and innovation across Nottingham University Hospitals.
Our five grant programmes
We now fund projects through five main grant programmes. While each has a clear focus, there may occasionally be crossover depending on the nature of the project.
Responsive Grant Programme
Designed to support smaller, quicker-to-deliver projects that make a meaningful difference to patients, staff, or services.
Large Grants – Improving the Patient Experience
Alongside Responsive Grants, we also support larger-scale projects that require more detailed planning and funding.
Projects typically focused on: major ward or department improvements, enhanced patient environments and significant medical equipment purchases.
Staff Development
These cover large-scale training and education initiatives and leadership and professional development programmes
Staff Wellbeing – Large Grants
Whilst smaller projects are available through our Responsive Granta Programme, our Large Grant Programme covers significant wellbeing programmes or facilities and large-scale initiatives supporting workforce health and retention.
Research and Innovation
This grant programme will be available soon and will cover clinical research projects, innovation in treatment, care pathways, or service delivery and the development and evaluation of new approaches.
The Responsive Grant Programme is designed to support smaller, quicker-to-deliver projects that make a meaningful difference to patients, staff, or services.
These grants are intended to be simple, flexible, and fast to access, helping teams respond to immediate needs and opportunities.
- Typically lower cost projects
- Designed for quick turnaround funding decisions
- Reviewed on a regular and ongoing basis
- Focused on practical improvements
Responsive grants are available to support projects that:
Improve patient experience
- Enhancing comfort, dignity, or accessibility
- Small-scale environmental improvements in wards or departments
- Items or initiatives that improve patient journey or communication
Support staff wellbeing
- Small wellbeing initiatives or resources
- Improvements to staff rest areas or facilities
- Tools or equipment that support day-to-day working life
Enable service improvement
- Small equipment purchases
Pilot projects or service enhancements
Applications are reviewed regularly by the grants team. We aim to provide a timely response so that projects can be delivered quickly where possible.
When assessing applications, we consider:
- Impact on patients or staff
- Alignment with NHS priorities and Charity objectives
- Value for money
- Feasibility and sustainability
- Clarity of outcomes
Responsive Grant applications are submitted online via our application form.
The form is designed to be straightforward and accessible, ensuring staff can quickly put forward ideas without unnecessary complexity.
If you are unsure whether your idea is suitable, we encourage you to speak with the grants team before applying.
Alongside Responsive Grants, we also support larger-scale projects that require more detailed planning and funding.
Improving the Patient Experience
Projects typically focused on:
- Major ward or department improvements
- Enhanced patient environments
- Significant medical equipment purchases
Staff Development
- Large-scale training and education initiatives
- Leadership and professional development programmes
Staff Wellbeing
- Significant wellbeing programmes or facilities
- Large-scale initiatives supporting workforce health and retention
Research and Innovation
- Clinical research projects
- Innovation in treatment, care pathways, or service delivery
- Development and evaluation of new approaches
For larger funding requests, we ask applicants to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the first instance.
This allows the grants team to:
- Discuss your project with you early on
- Confirm eligibility against grant criteria
- Support you in developing a strong full application
- Ensure alignment with strategic priorities
If you are unsure which grant programme is right for your idea, or would like support shaping an application, the Nottingham Hospitals Charity grants team is here to help.
We encourage early conversations, particularly for larger or more complex projects.
Contact our Grants Team by emailing hello@nottinghamhospitalscharity.org.uk or come and see us at our Charity Hub at QMC or charity office at City Hospital.