Applications now open for Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Fund 2025-26
Applications are now open for the latest tranche of funding available through the Irish Football Association/Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund.
In March 2025 the UK Government announced it is to invest a further £100m in the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, including £3m earmarked for facility improvements in Northern Ireland via the Irish FA/DCMS fund.
The new tranche of funding for 2025-26 follows on from a £123 million investment in 2024-25 to support projects across the whole of the UK.
The Irish FA/DCMS Fund aims to enable grassroots football clubs, local authorities, schools and football-focused sports community/charitable organisations in Northern Ireland to improve and refurbish facilities so that grassroots football clubs and communities have a high quality pitch to play on, thereby helping to create a better grassroots football infrastructure foundation.
Applications for funding are now open with a closing date of 8 May at 12 noon for submissions.
The 2025-26 funding guidance notes, a link to access the application process and associated documents can be viewed on this dedicated funding page.
The Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund previously allocated £2m of funding in Northern Ireland for the 2023-24 financial year and £3.66m in the 2024-25 financial year, funding 17 artificial grass pitch projects..
The minimum award available will be £100,000, with a maximum award of up to £500,000. See full Guidance Notes for details on match funding requirements.
Funding will be directed towards large capital projects primarily focusing on the installation of quality natural grass pitches, certified artificial grass pitches (AGPs) or Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs). All projects must have a pitch proposal at its core and associated infrastructure will be considered as part of the overall proposal.
The main objectives of the Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund are:
● Improves the capital infrastructure to support the delivery of grassroots football activities across Northern Ireland;
● Delivers a sustained increase in participation in sport and physical activity across Northern Ireland, improving the mental and physical health of participants;
● Increases the number of multi-sport facilities in Northern Ireland to deliver a sustained increase in participation in non-football sports;
● Reduces the postcode lottery for quality facilities by directing investment to disadvantaged or areas of deprivation and delivers a sustained increase in participation and physical inactivity in these areas;
● Delivers improved access to sport facilities for women and girls to deliver a sustained increase in participation;
● Delivers improved access for under-represented groups to deliver a sustained increase in participation;
● Delivers ‘value for money’ investment in facilities by securing partner match funding.
Successful projects must be completed by 31 March 2026. Failure to complete by 31 March 2026 may result in the withdrawal of any award.
The Irish FA will maintain a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) log on this dedicated funding page to help potential applicants get answers or clarification to their queries. If after reading the FAQ log the potential applicant still has funding queries, or is seeking further clarification, they should direct these queries to dcms.funding@irishfa.com.
Application forms and all required supporting documentation must be submitted online via the dedicated application platform by 12 noon on 8 May 2025.
Before accessing the full application form, all applicants must first complete a short eligibility screening questionnaire. Applicants who pass the screening will receive a personal link to the main application form and a secure folder to upload the required evidence. Submissions will not advance to assessment unless all necessary eligibility documentation is correct and complete.
You will find the Guidance Notes, the application portal link and all associated documentation below.
Please note that completing a funding application is time consuming and requires detailed research and preparation. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding.