A major £2 million Cancer Charities Grant Scheme for 2025/26 has
been unveiled by the Department of Health and Macmillan Cancer
Support, boosting community-based cancer services across Northern
Ireland.
The grant scheme has been developed through a co-design approach,
working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Cancer Charities
Coalition. The £2 million funding package will see the
deployment of a new partnership funding model, with £1 million
funding provided by the Department of Health and £1 million
match-funding provided by Macmillan Cancer Support.
Health Minister said: “Every
person living with cancer is different, and every local cancer
charity offers something different too. That's why, working in
partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, I am proud to launch
this transformative £2 million Cancer Charities Grant Scheme
today. It shows what we can achieve when government and the
charitable sectors work innovatively together for people affected
by cancer.
“This scheme also reflects my wider shift left approach
which focuses on moving care closer to people's homes and
strengthening support in the community. By enabling charities to
deliver earlier, more localised support, we can help people stay
well for longer and reduce avoidable pressure on hospital
services.
“This new funding model will secure a future of more
personalised, targeted support for people in Northern Ireland,
whoever they are and wherever they live. Community charities play
an essential role alongside HSC staff and the support of loved
ones, and this scheme recognises their impact.”
The Minister highlighted the success of the collaborative
approach to the development of this new funding initiative,
thanking Macmillan Cancer Support for their generous £1 million
match funding. The scheme aims to be a significant step forward
in strengthening cancer support outside clinical settings, with
an emphasis on tackling health inequalities and improving access
to services in local communities.
Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support,
said: “I've seen first-hand the power of community action when it
comes to delivering brilliant cancer support, and local charities
are at the heart of it.
“Macmillan's partnership with the Department of Health in
Northern Ireland (NI) on the Cancer Charities Grant Scheme will
create important opportunities to close current gaps in cancer
care. I look forward to seeing how cancer charities across
Northern Ireland embrace this opportunity, applying for funding
which could see them joining our mission to spark a revolution in
cancer care across Northern Ireland.”
Macmillan's £1 million contribution ensures the full £2 million
will be invested in community cancer services, and the
organisation will not apply for grants from the scheme.
Richard Spratt, Chair of the Northern Ireland Cancer Charities
Coalition (NICCC), said: “This investment is an important boost
for the cancer charity sector in Northern Ireland. It will help
community organisations deliver more accessible and impactful
support for people affected by cancer.”
The NICCC worked closely with the Department on the scheme's
development and welcomed its strong emphasis on equity and
community-based delivery.
Christine Campbell, member of the Macmillan Cancer Experience
Panel, said: “After receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, I had
many conflicting needs, both physically & mentally, outside
my chemotherapy - and this is where charities and grassroot
groups proved invaluable to me.
“I was able to access counselling through a local charity and
seek advice on employment rights, welfare advice, personal &
dietary care. This assisted me in removing barriers in care &
reducing stress at a time of trauma and means I have been able to
live well, do the things I want to do and feel heard as a person
and not the disease.
“These grants are so important in supporting those affected by
cancer outside the hospital setting, enabling cancer charities to
put patients and the community at the heart of their work.”
The funding will be offered across two tiers:
•
Tier 1: Grants up to £25,000 for smaller projects (with around
£500,000 ringfenced)
•
Tier 2: Grants from £25,001 to £150,000 for larger programmes
(with around £1.5 million available)
Eligible organisations must be UK registered charities or
not-for-profits operating in Northern Ireland with a clear
cancer-related purpose. Funding will support services including
mental health support, rehabilitation and prehabilitation,
transport services, awareness and education initiatives, and
programmes addressing health inequalities.
Applications will open on 27 November 2025 and close on 23
January 2026, with awards issued in March 2026.
Notes to Editors:
- Link to Grant Scheme forms www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/cancer-charities-grant-scheme-202526-guidance-and-application-forms
