The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) is looking to support eligible stakeholders in England to provide a range of individual grants to fund locally delivered, highly tailored and targeted interventions that meet the needs of digitally excluded people.
Local councils, combined Authorities, charities, research bodies and consortiums England can apply for grants of between £25,000 and £500,000 to help those currently not online to be able to access the Internet. The funding is available to support new projects in every region of England.
The total Fund is £7,242 million which is divided into three categories of funding – projects, innovative interventions, and physical and intangible assets that can be capitalised which may include laptops, devices, and new software.
To be eligible, proposed projects must contribute to either of the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund’s primary objectives:
- To support innovative initiatives to increase digital participation, producing new knowledge on ‘what works’ and building the evidence base on effective digital inclusion interventions.
- To support best practice with the ambition to scale and replicate successful digital inclusion activities across England.
Projects must address at least one of the Digital Inclusion Action Plan Focus Areas of:
- opening up opportunities through skills
- breaking down barriers to digital services
- tackling data and device poverty
- building confidence and supporting local delivery.
They must also support at least one of the Action Plan focus demographic groups:
- low-income households.
- older people, specifically aged 60+
- Disabled people, specifically people with a a physical or mental health condition or illness that has lasted or is expected to last 12 months or more, and the condition and/or illness reduces their ability to carry out day-to-day activities
- people experiencing unemployment
- young people (25 and younger), including those not in education, employment or training (NEET).
The closing date for applications is 3pm on Wednesday 10 September 2025.
Notification will be given to applicants on 20 October 2025.
All funded projects must be completed by 31 March 2026.
For full details and to apply, visit the DSIT Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund webpage here.
