Lasting Impact Programme
Improving Health and Wellbeing Across Grampian
NHS Grampian Charity is committed to supporting projects which make a lasting difference to the health and wellbeing of people across Grampian.
Through our new Lasting Impact Programme, more than £2.3 million will be available in 2026-27 to support projects which improve health, prevent illness, reduce inequalities, strengthen community support, and help people live well.
The programme brings together our existing community and research funding opportunities under one clear banner, while also introducing a new large grants programme to support ambitious projects with the potential to create long-term change for patients, families and communities.
Please note, this funding programme is separate to the charity’s ongoing support of standard NHS Grampian projects. NHS Grampian staff should visit the charity’s intranet page to find out more about the charity’s core work.
Supporting Lasting Change
NHS Grampian Charity has a long history of funding projects which support patients, staff, and communities across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
Since launching our original Community Grants Programme in 2020, we have awarded more than £1.1 million to over 150 local health and wellbeing projects, supporting charities and community organisations to deliver vital community-led initiatives.
We have also supported early-stage research projects with the potential to improve health and wellbeing in Grampian, including studies focused on stroke, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental health, infertility, Parkinson’s, and more.
The Lasting Impact Programme builds on this work, creating a clearer and more joined-up approach to funding projects which can deliver tangible, long-term benefits for people across the region.
The programme has been shaped with feedback from previous grant recipients, including charities, researchers, and community organisations across Grampian. We are grateful to everyone who shared their experiences, ideas and suggestions.
What We Want to Support
Through the Lasting Impact Programme, we want to fund projects which have the potential to make a meaningful difference to the health and wellbeing of patients in Grampian.
We will prioritise projects which:
- Demonstrate a tangible benefit for patients in Grampian
- Prevent ill health and promote wellbeing
- Reduce health inequalities
- Improve mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Strengthen community-based support and access to healthcare
- Support children, young people and families
- Test innovative or evidence-informed approaches with potential wider benefit.
We are particularly interest in projects which respond to local needs, are informed by evidence or lived experience, and have the potential to create learning or impact beyond the initial funding period.
Our Funding Strands
The Lasting Impact Programme includes three funding strands, designed to support projects at different stages and scales.
Lasting Impact Small Community Grants Programme
Our Small Community Grants Programme will support local charities and community groups to deliver activities which improve health and wellbeing for people in Grampian.
Grants of up to £10,000 will be available for projects seeking capital or equipment costs, or funding to test a new way of working.
This programme is designed to support community-led activity which responds to local need and has the potential to create lasting benefit for the people of Grampian.
The Small Community Grants Programme is now open.
Lasting Impact Small Research Grants Programme
Our Small Research Grants Programme will support pilot or preliminary research studies which aim to achieve lasting impact for the people of Grampian.
Grants of up to £20,000 are available to applicants from NHS Grampian and from Grampian universities.
Research projects should have the potential to change care within NHS Grampian and attract future external funding, helping promising ideas take the next steps towards wider impact.
The Small Research Grants Programme is expected to launch in August.
Lasting Impact Large Grants Programme
Our new Large Grants Programme will support ambitious projects which aim to create lasting impact for the people of Grampian.
This programme will offer up to three years of funding, and will be open to local community groups, charities, NHS Grampian services, and Grampian university researchers.
There is no upper financial limit for applications. Instead, we want applicants to request the level of funding required to deliver the intended outcome of their project.
The Large Grants Programme is expected to launch in mid-October. Interested applicants will be asked to submit an expression of interest as the first stage of the application process.