£2 million Cancer Charities Grant Scheme announced to boost community support across Northern Ireland

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Gemma Peters, Chief Executive Macmillan Cancer Support.

A major £2 million Cancer Charities Grant Scheme for 2025/26 has been launched by the Department of Health in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, marking a significant investment in community-based cancer services across Northern Ireland.

The scheme has been co-designed alongside the Northern Ireland Cancer Charities Coalition (NICCC), introducing a new partnership funding model. Half of the investment—£1 million—has been provided by the Department, with the remaining £1 million match-funded by Macmillan Cancer Support.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said:

“Every person living with cancer is different, and every local cancer charity offers something different too. That’s why, working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, I am proud to launch this transformative £2 million Cancer Charities Grant Scheme today. It shows what we can achieve when government and the charitable sectors work innovatively together for people affected by cancer.”

He added:

“This scheme also reflects my wider shift left approach which focuses on moving care closer to people’s homes and strengthening support in the community. By enabling charities to deliver earlier, more localised support, we can help people stay well for longer and reduce avoidable pressure on hospital services.

“This new funding model will secure a future of more personalised, targeted support for people in Northern Ireland, whoever they are and wherever they live. Community charities play an essential role alongside HSC staff and the support of loved ones, and this scheme recognises their impact.”

Strengthening Community-Based Cancer Care

The Department of Health has emphasised the collaborative development process behind the initiative, highlighting its focus on tackling health inequalities and expanding access to cancer support outside clinical settings.

Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said:

“I’ve seen first-hand the power of community action when it comes to delivering brilliant cancer support, and local charities are at the heart of it.

“Macmillan’s partnership with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland (NI) on the Cancer Charities Grant Scheme will create important opportunities to close current gaps in cancer care. I look forward to seeing how cancer charities across Northern Ireland embrace this opportunity, applying for funding which could see them joining our mission to spark a revolution in cancer care across Northern Ireland.”

Macmillan confirmed it will not apply for grants, ensuring its full £1 million contribution is directed entirely to external organisations.

Richard Spratt, Chair of NICCC, said:

“This investment is an important boost for the cancer charity sector in Northern Ireland. It will help community organisations deliver more accessible and impactful support for people affected by cancer.”

The NICCC welcomed the scheme’s strong emphasis on equitable, community-focused delivery.

“These grants are so important” – Lived Experience

Christine Campbell, a member of the Macmillan Cancer Experience Panel, shared her perspective:

“After receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, I had many conflicting needs, both physically & mentally, outside my chemotherapy - and this is where charities and grassroot groups proved invaluable to me.

“I was able to access counselling through a local charity and seek advice on employment rights, welfare advice, personal & dietary care. This assisted me in removing barriers in care & reducing stress at a time of trauma and means I have been able to live well, do the things I want to do and feel heard as a person and not the disease.

“These grants are so important in supporting those affected by cancer outside the hospital setting, enabling cancer charities to put patients and the community at the heart of their work.”

How the Funding Will Be Distributed

The £2 million will be allocated across two tiers:

• Tier 1: Grants up to £25,000 for small-scale projects (approx. £500,000 ringfenced)

• Tier 2: Grants from £25,001 to £150,000 for larger programmes (approx. £1.5 million available)

Eligible applicants must be UK-registered charities or not-for-profit organisations operating in Northern Ireland with a clear cancer-related purpose.

Funding may support:

• Mental health and emotional wellbeing services

• Rehabilitation and prehabilitation programmes

• Transport for cancer patients

• Education and awareness initiatives

• Projects addressing health inequalities

Applications open 27 November 2025 and close 23 January 2026, with awards issued in March 2026.

Full guidance and application forms are available via the Department of Health’s website.