Key Criteria
Projects that focus on the arts or sports can apply for up to £10,000 for work lasting up to 12 months.
For a project involving the arts, the National Lottery Community Fund will prioritise projects that:
- engage people from areas of high deprivation
- remove financial barriers to access creative activities
- address rural isolation and encourage activity in rural areas
- engage older people, people in care homes and carers; engage care leavers
- support integration of refugees and asylum seekers
For a project focused on sport, they will prioritise projects that engage:
- young people from our most deprived areas
- girls and young women; engage disabled young people
Community-led projects, can apply for between £300 and £20,000 to support work lasting up to 2 years.
They are looking for projects that are connected to local people and their communities, and use their existing skills and experience. It is important to involve your community from the start - in the design, development and delivery of the activities you are planning.
On 25 March 2026 it was announced that an additional £2.2 million of National Lottery funding would be added to the National Lottery Awards for All Scotland Fund. Its purpose was to support community, arts, and sports activity inspired by Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, bringing the excitement of the Games to towns and neighbourhoods across Scotland.
This summer, organisations delivering Glasgow 2026-inspired activities can apply for up to £10,000 of National Lottery funding for projects lasting up to 12 months that will:
- increase access and remove barriers so more people can take part in arts or sports activities
- bring people together and strengthen connections within and across communities
- support health and wellbeing through physical activity and shared community experiences
- celebrate cultural diversity and international connections
- create a lasting legacy that communities can enjoy beyond the games
Decisions take at least 12 weeks.
