Access -
Funding for Additional Needs and Alternative Provision

This fund supports ANAP settings to begin delivery of the DofE Award. To be eligible to receive this support, the following criteria must apply:

• The organisation is a state funded Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school, Alternative Provision (AP), or Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) that receives funding through their local authority or directly from the government
• The organisation does not currently have a DofE licence
• The organisation has not terminated a DofE licence in the past six months at the point of application

Please note that independent settings are not eligible for this funding.

Bronze, Silver, and Gold DofE Participation Places

Newly Licensed Organisations can apply for Participation Places to support their young people to access the DofE Award at no cost.

Sectional equipment

Licensed Organisations can apply for up to £4,500 ex-VAT in total to purchase sectional equipment to help support participants undertaking their DofE activities. This funding can be applied across Physical, Volunteering, Skill, and/or Expedition sections.

All requested items must:

• Be reusable for DofE activity
• Be owned and retained by the Licensed Organisation, who must have the ability to store and maintain them so they can be used again
• Demonstrate value for money
• Clearly help facilitate the activity and support participants to do their DofE.

DofE Licence Fee support

75% of the 2025/26 DofE Licence Fee.

Applications open 14 April 2025.

Applications close 11 December 2025.

Step 1: Fill out our expression of interest form.

Step 2: If your organisation is eligible, we’ll be in touch to support you to become licensed and to apply for this funding.

Step 3: Submit your application form, including reading and confirming you agree to the DofE’s standard Terms and Conditions which will be provided within the Grant Agreement.

Step 4: We will review your application and you will be informed whether you have been successful by email from your Operations Officer.

Step 5: If successful, use your grant in line with the agreement, making sure you keep copies of all receipts/invoices.

Step 6: Complete a final report in line with the reporting dates stated on the grant application.

Successful Licensed Organisations will be required to submit a final report by 13 February 2026.

This will detail how the grant has supported young people in your setting to do their DofE, and the positive impact this has had. Grantees must retain all invoices and receipts associated with the expenditure as these may be requested during the reporting process.