The James Kane Foundation Grants 2026 are opening for a new round of funding to support projects that improve access to education, STEM opportunities, training, employment and career pathways across Northern Ireland. The Foundation expects to allocate approximately £400,000 per year and will consider both large and small grant applications.
The new funding round opens on 1 September 2026, with Expressions of Interest accepted until 12 noon on Friday, 16 October 2026. Organisations interested in applying should review the Foundation’s priorities and eligibility requirements before submitting an Expression of Interest.
About the James Kane Foundation Grants
The James Kane Foundation was established in 2016 through the legacy of the late James (Jim) Walker Kane, owner of JW Kane Precision Engineering Limited. Its charitable purpose focuses on advancing education and creating opportunities for education, training and career development.
The Foundation’s current funding programme is built around its mission to progress and facilitate education and career opportunities.
For the 2026 funding round, the Foundation is particularly interested in projects that help people access STEM education and careers or make informed decisions about employment, careers and higher-level education.
Funding Priorities
Projects must fall within at least one of the Foundation’s two main themes.
Theme 1: STEM Education and Career Opportunities
The Foundation supports initiatives that enable people to access STEM-related education and career opportunities.
Examples of relevant areas may include science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, practical STEM learning, digital skills and programmes that connect learners with STEM careers.
Recent Foundation-supported projects demonstrate this focus. These include STEM programmes, digital skills initiatives, coding projects and programmes connecting young people with engineering and construction careers.
Theme 2: Education, Employment and Career Pathways
The second theme focuses on helping students make informed choices between employment or career pathways and higher-level education.
Projects can therefore support activities that expose young people to different careers, develop employability skills, connect education with employers or help learners understand routes into further or higher education.
How Much Funding Is Available?
The James Kane Foundation intends to allocate approximately £400,000 each year through its grant programme. The Foundation may also consider multi-year funding for suitable projects.
The annual funding allocation is divided between larger and smaller grants:
- Approximately 75% of the annual budget is allocated to large grants.
- Approximately 25% is allocated to small grants of less than £25,000.
- Multi-year funding may be considered.
- Projects are normally expected to commence from the funding commencement date of June 2027.
The £400,000 figure represents the Foundation’s overall annual funding allocation rather than a £400,000 maximum award for an individual organisation.
Who Can Apply?
The Foundation’s current eligibility criteria allow applications from several types of organisations, including:
- Schools and other education bodies
- Colleges
- Third-level institutions
- Private-sector employers
- Charities
- Social enterprises
Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed activity is aligned with the Foundation’s mission and one or both of its funding themes.
The Foundation also seeks additionality, meaning projects should provide benefits beyond what organisations or public bodies are already required to provide.
Geographic Focus
The Foundation supports projects across Northern Ireland, but priority may be given to projects benefiting people living in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council areas.
This geographic priority does not mean that every eligible project must be located in those areas. Applicants should demonstrate clearly how their proposed project fits the Foundation’s wider objectives and, where relevant, how it will benefit communities within its priority areas.
What Will the Foundation Not Fund?
Applicants should carefully review the exclusions before preparing an Expression of Interest.
The Foundation will not normally support projects that trustees believe:
- Are the responsibility of local authorities or government under a statutory obligation
- Duplicate existing provision geographically or thematically
- Fail to demonstrate sufficient additionality
The Foundation’s application guidance also stresses that applicants must provide all required supporting information. Incomplete Expressions of Interest or missing documentation may result in an application being rejected without assessment.
Application Process
The first stage is an Expression of Interest (EOI).
For the 2026 round, EOI forms will become available from 1 September 2026. Completed EOIs will be accepted until 12 noon on Friday, 16 October 2026.
Applicants should use the official Foundation application materials and follow the instructions carefully. The Foundation states that only one application per organisation will be considered during a grant round.
After submission, Expressions of Interest are assessed, and organisations are either rejected or invited to proceed to Stage 2 – Application.
The Foundation says applicants will normally be notified of the EOI decision approximately 8–10 weeks after the submission deadline. Decisions are final, and there is no right of appeal or obligation for the Foundation to provide feedback.
Preparing a Strong Application
Organisations considering applying should begin preparing well before the deadline.
A strong proposal should clearly explain:
- The educational, STEM or career problem being addressed.
- Who will benefit from the project.
- How the proposed activity addresses the Foundation’s funding themes.
- What additional benefit the Foundation’s funding will provide.
- The expected outputs and outcomes.
- How progress and impact will be measured.
- Why the project does not duplicate existing statutory or publicly funded provision.
Applicants should also ensure that all requested supporting documents are available before submitting the EOI.
The Foundation’s previous funded projects provide useful examples of the types of initiatives it supports, including STEM learning, digital skills, employment mentoring, career pathways and programmes helping young people transition into further education or employment.
Recent Projects Supported by the Foundation
The Foundation’s current portfolio illustrates the breadth of its funding priorities.
Recent projects include STEMStart, which helps young people develop sustainable business ideas inspired by STEM and linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The programme works with schools and colleges in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area.
Another supported initiative, Bridge to Build, connects learners with special educational needs to construction and engineering employers, providing industry experience, mentoring and practical support designed to strengthen pathways into employment.
The Foundation has also supported digital skills, coding, creative technology, school-based mentoring and programmes designed to help young people make better education and career decisions.
Important Dates for the 2026 Grant Round
The key dates are:
- Funding opens: 1 September 2026
- EOI deadline: 16 October 2026
- Deadline time: 12 noon
- Expected EOI decision: Approximately 8–10 weeks after the deadline
- Expected project commencement: June 2027
Organisations should not wait until the final day to prepare their applications because the Foundation requires specific information and supporting documentation.
Final Thoughts
The James Kane Foundation Grants 2026 offer a significant funding opportunity for organisations working to improve education, STEM participation, employability and career pathways across Northern Ireland.
With approximately £400,000 expected to be allocated annually, support for both large and small grants, and the possibility of multi-year funding, the programme could be particularly relevant to schools, colleges, universities, charities, social enterprises and employers developing measurable education or career-focused projects.
The most important step for prospective applicants is to ensure that the proposed project clearly fits one or both of the Foundation’s funding themes and demonstrates genuine additionality.
The 2026 funding round opens on 1 September 2026, with Expressions of Interest due by 12 noon on 16 October 2026.
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