James Kane Foundation Grants for Education and Career Opportunities (UK)

Deadline: 16-Oct-2026

The James Kane Foundation supports education and career opportunities through projects that help people develop skills, competencies, work experience, employment opportunities, and pathways to further education. The Foundation focuses on projects that create meaningful education and career opportunities, particularly through STEM-related initiatives and programmes that help students make informed decisions about employment and higher-level education. Funding is available to eligible education bodies, employers, charities, and social enterprises across Northern Ireland, with particular priority potentially given to projects benefiting communities in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council areas.

About the James Kane Foundation

The James Kane Foundation was established to advance education and career opportunities for the public benefit in Portadown and its environs, as well as elsewhere in Northern Ireland. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees with expertise in business and education. Its administration is undertaken by the Belfast Charitable Society, supporting effective delivery of the Foundation’s mission and funding activities. What Does the Foundation Support? The Foundation supports projects that improve education and career opportunities by helping people develop relevant skills, competencies, experience, and pathways.

Supported projects can focus on:

- Skills development. - Competency development. - Work experience. - Employment opportunities. - Further education pathways. - STEM-related education. - STEM-related career opportunities. - Informed choices between employment and higher-level education. Projects should demonstrate a clear connection to the Foundation’s mission and provide additionality. STEM Education and Career Opportunities One important area of interest is projects that create or strengthen STEM-related education and career opportunities. Projects may help participants develop skills and knowledge that support future employment or further study in STEM-related fields. Applicants should clearly explain how their project will contribute to education, skills development, career development, or employment outcomes. Supporting Education and Employment Choices The Foundation also supports projects that help students make informed decisions about their future. This can include initiatives that help students understand and evaluate different pathways between: - Employment. - Higher-level education. - Skills development. - Career opportunities. Projects should provide participants with useful information, experiences, or competencies that can help them make more informed decisions. Focus on New and Innovative Projects The Foundation seeks to support new and innovative projects. Applicants should demonstrate what is new about their proposed initiative and how it provides additionality. Projects should not simply duplicate existing activities without demonstrating a clear additional benefit. What Does Additionality Mean? Additionality is an important consideration for funding. Applicants should demonstrate that Foundation support will enable something additional to take place, such as: - Creating a new programme. - Expanding access to an existing initiative. - Providing additional opportunities for participants. - Introducing innovative approaches. - Developing new education or career pathways. - Increasing the project’s reach or impact. The proposed funding should therefore contribute to outcomes that would not otherwise be achieved in the same way. Who Can Apply? The Foundation accepts applications from a range of organizations involved in education, employment, skills development, and community benefit.

Eligible applicants include:

- Schools. - Colleges. - Third-level institutions. - Education bodies. - Private-sector companies. - Other employers. - Charities. - Social enterprises. Applicants should demonstrate that their organization has the appropriate capacity to deliver the proposed project. Education Bodies Schools, colleges, and third-level institutions can apply for funding. Education bodies may propose projects that improve students’ skills, competencies, work experience, career awareness, or pathways to further education. Employers and Private-Sector Companies Employers, including private-sector companies, are also eligible applicants. Employer-led projects can help participants gain practical experience, develop employment-related skills, and better understand potential career pathways. Charities and Social Enterprises Charities and social enterprises can also apply. Their projects should align with the Foundation’s objectives and demonstrate how the proposed activities will create meaningful education or career opportunities. Geographic Priority The Foundation’s work has a particular connection to Portadown and its surrounding area. Priority may be given to projects benefiting people living in the: - Armagh area. - Banbridge area. - Craigavon Council area. However, applications from elsewhere in Northern Ireland are also considered. Applicants outside the priority areas should therefore still demonstrate how their project aligns with the Foundation’s mission and criteria. How Much Funding Is Available? The Foundation intends to allocate approximately: £400,000 per year The annual funding budget is divided between large and small grants.

Approximately:

- 75% of the annual budget is allocated to large grants. - 25% of the annual budget is allocated to small grants of less than £25,000. This structure allows the Foundation to support both larger projects and smaller initiatives. Small Grants Small grants are defined as grants of less than £25,000. Approximately 25% of the Foundation’s annual funding budget is intended for this category. Organizations seeking smaller amounts should still demonstrate clear project outcomes and alignment with the Foundation’s objectives. Large Grants Approximately 75% of the annual funding budget