Funding for Holiday Activities for Autistic Children and Young People – Opens 2 February 2026

VCSE organisations supporting autistic children and young people are encouraged to prepare now for the 2026 Holiday Activities grants programme, which opens for expressions of interest on 2 February 2026.

This highly competitive programme runs once a year, and demand is extremely high – last year’s funding round closed just one day after opening.

About the Fund

The 2026 programme will only fund autistic-specific holiday activity schemes. Funding is available for activity programmes that run during school holidays in the UK, including sessions that also support siblings.

Grants of up to £15,000 are available and are usually awarded as a contribution towards the costs of running holiday activity schemes.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to UK-based not-for-profit organisations with an annual income of less than £1 million.

To be eligible, organisations must be able to demonstrate that they:

• Have a safeguarding policy in place
• Hold Public Liability Insurance
• Hold Employer’s Liability Insurance (if employing or paying staff)
• Use professionally trained staff and volunteers (not parents or guardians)
• Have a bank account requiring two signatories or dual authorisation
• Deliver autistic-specific provision (this round will not fund general SEND provision)

Key Dates

• Expressions of Interest open: 2 February 2026
• Deadline to apply: 13 February 2026 at 17:00

Given the level of demand, organisations are strongly advised to prepare all required documents in advance and submit expressions of interest as early as possible once the round opens.

Preparing to Apply

Now is a good time to:

• Review your safeguarding and insurance documentation
• Ensure your holiday programme is clearly autistic-specific
• Gather evidence of need and impact
• Confirm staffing and volunteer arrangements

We encourage VCSE organisations working with autistic children, young people and their families to share this opportunity with relevant partners and networks.

For further updates and application guidance, Click Here