Armed Forces Families Fund Early Years Programme Now Open

Early years providers and local authorities across can now apply for funding through the Armed Forces Families Fund Early Years Programme, aimed at supporting young children from armed forces families.

Grants of between £5,000 and £80,000 are available for projects delivered over a two-year period, helping to enhance early childhood education and childcare provision for children aged 0–5.

Funded by the Ministry of Defence and administered by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust, the programme will support projects that:

• Increase capacity so more service children can access early years settings
• Improve indoor and outdoor learning environments
• Develop staff skills through targeted training and resources
• Strengthen partnerships between providers and local authorities
• Improve engagement with families, particularly during challenging periods

The fund is focused on creating sustainable, long-term impact, with applications expected to demonstrate clear evidence and involvement from armed forces communities.

Eligible applicants include:

• Early years childcare providers with at least five service children on roll
• Local authorities delivering training and shared resources across multiple settings

This is the only application round for 2026/27, with a deadline of 15 July 2026.

👉 Find out more and apply: https://covenantfund.org.uk/programme/armed-forces-families-fund-early-years-programme/