How long will I have to wait for a decision?
We aim to acknowledge your first stage application by email within a week of receiving it. We expect to make a decision about whether to take it further within a month.
At second stage, we will notify you of the decision within four months of receiving your application. It is, therefore, advisable to factor in a minimum period of five months into your planning, particularly if you are requesting a grant of more than £75,000.
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If my application is refused at either first or second stage, may I apply again?
You may come back to us at any time with a revised proposal or a new project. You must wait for a decision on one application before submitting another.
May I call you to discuss my organisation’s application?
For a conversation to be meaningful we first need to read your first stage application.
We will call you if we need to know more. Existing grant-holders should get in touch with their contact at Esmée Fairbairn.
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Can my organisation have more than one grant at a time?
In most cases we only make one grant to an organisation at a time through the Main Fund. In rare cases an organisation may also receive a separate grant through one of our funding
strands.
Do I need to have matched funding in place before applying?
No. However, where the total cost of the work you propose is high it may help to have commitments of funding from other sources or plans to apply elsewhere.
Do you fund research?
Only occasionally, where we consider it is likely to have a practical impact.
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Will I receive feedback if my application is rejected?
Because of the breadth of our interests and the high number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide tailored feedback by letter or telephone for applications declined at first stage. Feedback is available for applications declined at second stage.
What happens if my application is successful?
You will be expected to comply with our standard
terms and conditions. Some grants will have specific terms and conditions.
You will also need to report to us on your progress with the work we are supporting. We will provide you with advice on what we like to see in a
progress report.
