Any Army Unit, Formation, Club or Welfare Organisation may apply. This includes:

• Regular and Reserve Units
• Unit sports clubs and authorised Army sports associations
• Garrison or Station welfare organisations
• Affiliated civilian clubs with significant military membership

Applications must be supported by the Chain of Command and submitted via the Welfare Funds Mailbox.

Units must not approach the Army Central Fund (ACF) directly.

No.

Army Central Fund grants are awarded to Units and organisations, not to individuals. Funding cannot be used to support personal hardship, supplement pay, or fund individual participation in expeditions, tours or representative sport.

Grants are provided for unit-level welfare, recreational and sporting projects that:

• Promote the efficiency and wellbeing of serving personnel
• Improve collective welfare at Unit, Garrison or Station level
• Provide tangible, lasting benefit

Typical examples include:

• Welfare and recreational equipment
• Sports equipment (for unit-level participation)
• Unit minibuses
• Improvements to welfare facilities
• Capital or infrastructure projects (subject to additional scrutiny)

Preference is given to projects that benefit the greatest number of personnel.

Welfare funds are not a substitute for public funding.

The following are not normally eligible:

• Items properly chargeable to MOD public funds
• Running or maintenance costs
• Duty travel, subsistence or accommodation
• Expeditions, adventurous training expeditions or sports tours
• Personal clothing or representative team kit
• Entertainment, food or drink
• Unit-branded merchandise

Grants are normally one-off awards for tangible assets or discrete projects.

Yes.

Grants are normally awarded on the basis that the Unit contributes approximately 25% of the project cost from non-public funds (such as PRI funds).

If a Unit cannot meet this contribution, the application must clearly explain why and be endorsed at Formation level.

For minibuses, the standard grant is typically 80% of cost (up to £30,000), with the Unit contributing at least 20%.

Yes. Applications are considered under three main categories:

Command Grants

Smaller projects funded within delegated limits by Joint Military Commands (usually up to £10,000).

Minor Grants

Projects typically between £10,000 and £40,000.

Major or Capital Grants

Larger or more complex projects above delegated limits. These require additional scrutiny and longer lead times (often 6–12 months).

All applications must be submitted via the HQ Regional Command Funding Portal.

The process is:

1. Prepare the proposal – ensure public funding options have been explored first.
2. Obtain Chain of Command support.
3. Submit via the Funding Portal.
4. Screening by the Unit’s Welfare Grants Committee.
5. Consideration at the appropriate level (JMC, RCWGC or AWGC).

Units without MODNET access may use the offline form, which must then be uploaded by a MODNET user.

• Command and Minor Grants are usually considered monthly.
• Major and Capital projects require significantly longer planning and approval time.

Units should not commit expenditure until formal approval has been received.

Only in exceptional circumstances.

If any expenditure has already been incurred, this must be clearly stated in the application. Retrospective applications are subject to additional scrutiny.

If your project affects the Defence Estate (for example construction, structural works or building improvements):

• You must engage early with DIO and relevant infrastructure staff.
• Appropriate estate processes (LIIF or Statement of Need) must be followed.
• You must demonstrate how ongoing maintenance and replacement will be funded.

Capital and infrastructure projects require detailed planning and supporting documentation.

• The Unit normally pays project costs upfront and reclaims the grant on submission of receipts.
• Grants are paid into the Unit’s non-public account (never a personal account).
• Equipment must be recorded as non-public welfare stores.
• A short impact summary and photographs may be requested.

Grants must usually be claimed within 12 months.

Yes.

Where a project benefits multiple Services, this must be clearly stated in the application. Contributions from other Services may be sought and apportioned appropriately.

Applicants should seek advice in the first instance from:

• Their Joint Military Command or Formation HQ
• Theatre or G1 staff
• The AWGC Secretariat via the HQ RC Funding Portal mailbox

Units should not contact the Army Central Fund Trustees directly.