Gambling Harms Treatment VCSE Grant Fund

Organisations will need to demonstrate that they:

• Fall into the defined category of a VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) organisation. 

  A VCSE organisation refers to an entity that operates within the voluntary and community sector, distinct from the public sector (government) and private sector (business). These organisations are typically: 

1. Non-profit: They do not aim to generate profit for owners or shareholders. 

2. Mission-driven: Their primary purpose is to achieve social, environmental, or community goals rather than financial gain.   

   For due diligence, the charity register will be referred to when identifying applying organisations. 

• ​​​​That their activities related to this grant will only be delivered in England (either locally, regionally or nationally). Funding must be used only for activity delivered in England.​​ 

• Are able to fully mobilise the service within Q1​ (April ​to June)​​ of 2026-27 and deliver all outputs by 31st March 2027 

• Will be in adherence with the Declaration of Interest Policy developed by statutory levy system commissioners from 1st April 2026 (this is available within the Supporting Documents section) 

• Have been registered and operating in the voluntary and community sector for at least one year at the point of the scheme opening for applications (3rd February).

In addition to the above eligibility criteria, it should be noted that NHS England will expect applicants to:

• Provide evidence of intervention need and effectiveness within their target population group(s) and/or localities 

• Demonstrate how they will meaningfully engage and/or involve lived experience in their project

• Commit to the collection and reporting of appropriate data to demonstrate project delivery and impact, and willingness to participate in evaluation 

• Work collaboratively with all system partners to optimise service accessibility and patient outcomes

• Openly share learning with NHS England and other partners, including Integrated Care Boards and OHID, throughout the funded period 

• Demonstrate how the funding will be utilised over the course of the project, ensuring value for money

Out of Scope:

• Projects delivering prevention activities up to the point of referral into treatment

• Projects delivered outside of England

• Research projects (excluding proportionate evaluation of funded grant activity)

The key objectives of the Gambling Harms Treatment VCSE Grant Fund are to:

1. Ensure those harmed by gambling can continue to access VCSE-led treatment services

2. Facilitate a safe and smooth transition to future commissioning arrangements, harnessing existing system knowledge and expertise

3. Support innovation and learning across the gambling harms treatment system

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate how their planned activity delivers against these objectives.

Please note that the following dates are indicative.

• 3rd  February (midday): Application window opens 

• 20th February (midday): Application window closes

• 3rd - 13th February: Clarification period for questions in relation to the grant scheme (sent through to ggms.gamharmtreat@cabinetoffice.gov.uk)

• Late February - March: Assessment of applications 

• Late March: Notification of grant awards to successful applicants and issuing of Grant Funding Agreements

31st March 2027: Date by which funding must be spent and projects delivered

Eligible lead applicants are invited to submit an application by selecting ‘Start new application’ on the Find a Grant platform. You can register for an account at https://find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/apply/applicant. 

You can begin your application and return to it at a later time through your 'Find and Apply for a Grant' account.

Please note that applicants may only submit one bid as the lead organisation via the online portal (the organisation submitting the application will be considered the lead applicant). However, applicants may participate in other bids as delivery partners. If an organisation submits more than one application as the lead applicant, only the first application submitted will be scored.

For queries not included in FAQs please contact GGMS at ggms.gamharmtreat@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Background on the statutory levy on gambling operators can be found here:

Government response to the consultation on the structure, distribution and governance of the statutory levy on gambling operators - GOV.UK

Responses must use only the templates provided below in their application response. Use of alternate templates will mean the application will be deemed ineligible.