UK employment-support innovation fund closes on 26 October

UK charities, businesses and other organisations have until 11.59pm on Monday 26 October 2026 to apply to the first round of the Pathways to Work Innovation Fund. It supports new ways to help disabled people and people with long-term health conditions prepare for work, find a job, stay employed or progress in their careers.

The Department for Work and Pensions added the online application portal link to its application guidance on 23 October. The fund itself opened on 28 September. This is not a new opening or an extension of the deadline.

Who can apply?

The official bid pack covers UK-based charities, voluntary organisations, social enterprises, businesses, researchers, public bodies and partnerships. Central UK government departments cannot apply. One organisation must lead a partnership application and manage any award.

Individuals cannot apply alone, but can work with an organisation. The fund’s FAQs also say applicants do not need previous employment-support experience. A clear idea and explanation of the problem it addresses matter. This is funding for organisations to test support, not a personal benefit payment or a job application.

What should an application include?

Proposals must test something new or significantly different. Simply continuing an unchanged service is not the purpose of the fund. A community organisation could consider whether its approach to removing employment barriers fits the criteria, rather than assuming all community work qualifies.

Applications need a budget and a milestones and delivery template alongside the form. The guidance includes accessible formats and alternative submission routes. Read the full criteria and prepare the supporting documents before submitting.

DWP’s current guidance confirms a total of up to £10 million for this first round, not £10 million per applicant. A further round of up to £50 million is expected early in 2027, but that is not an open application window yet. Funding is competitive, and applying does not guarantee an award.

Illustrative photo: Sora Shimazaki / Pexels.