Over the last couple of years, we have revamped the funding request application process to create a process with clearer objective criteria and transparency. We have continued to review and improve our processes and have made a few changes to better reflect what our members have told us that they want.
A different review process will now be used depending on the nature and size of applications. This will enable a faster turnaround of smaller applications and allow for more in-depth discussion for larger or more complex applications.
The key changes that we have introduced for applications are:
- Legal applications
- Request for legal opinion (approx £1.5k)
- A separate form and process will be used to enable a faster decision with decisions by Board members via email
- Request for a full legal case
- This will involve the collation of additional information to reflect a significantly higher outlay of expenditure with decisions being made using an objective marksheet following discussion at a board meeting
- For applications received within 2 weeks of our monthly board meeting, they will be reviewed at the subsequent meeting.
- This will involve the collation of additional information to reflect a significantly higher outlay of expenditure with decisions being made using an objective marksheet following discussion at a board meeting
- Request for legal opinion (approx £1.5k)
- Project applications
- Bids >£5k will be reviewed at Board meetings as a standing item on the agenda.
- For applications received within 2 weeks of our monthly board meeting, they will be reviewed at the subsequent meeting.
- Bids <£5k will be managed under a “small grants programme”, allowing us to respond quicker, with discussions and a decision occurring via email
- Emergency bids have a prioritised turnaround of no more than 2 weeks
- Bids >£5k will be reviewed at Board meetings as a standing item on the agenda.
GPC Bids:
Having reviewed all of the GPC bids we have received over the past 2 years and listened to feedback from those involved, we will be requiring that applications must be ratified at a GPC meeting (bids of >£75k) or Exec meeting (or agreed by majority decision via email)
The updated application form is available here with an application guide available here
Long term Projects
- Any large project requiring ongoing funding, such as the LMCSN, will be added to face-to-face Board meetings for discussion and approval with funding of >£50k needing to be voted on at our AGM/EGM
- In addition to the above, for applications >£5k, we will set aside 5% of the cost of the project in our budget to allow for evaluation and to demonstrate return on investment for our members. This will not change the amount of money which is given to the applicant and will purely be for GPDF accountancy purposes.
We will be using these new policies from January 2026 as a trial and then presenting these processes to our members at our 2026 AGM.
As always, we look forward to hearing your feedback and suggestions so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at applications@gpdf.org.uk.
– Dr Phil Cox, GPDF Grant Lead