THE MCS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION – Grants of between £5,000 and £50,000

Grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 are available to UK registered charities, statutory agencies, social enterprises and not-for-profit companies for projects that aim to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and low carbon technologies. Projects should have a UK-wide impact, either through having a national reach or through developing/demonstrating an innovative approach that could be replicated, adapted or scaled up.
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o Application deadline: none – applications may be made at any time, initially by completing the Enquiry Form on the MCS Foundation website.
o Funder: The MCS Charitable Foundation (founded 2016. Charity number 1165752. Total charitable expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2022: £4,089,211).
o Who can apply: UK registered charities, statutory agencies, social enterprises and not-for-profit companies.
o Key words: Environment, Renewable Energy, Low Carbon Solutions, Education, Public Engagement, Ability to Scale Up, Skills Development, Research, United Kingdom.
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The charitable objectives of the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) Foundation, which has the overarching aim of increasing public confidence, awareness and access to renewable energy and low carbon solutions across the UK, are:

o The advancement of education and environmental protection and improvement by educating the public in the subject of the design, development, manufacture and installation of renewable energy and low carbon technologies (products and systems), including providing bursaries for those wishing to pursue a career in this area.
o The advancement of education and environmental protection and improvement by promoting study and research into the design, development, manufacture and installation of renewable energy and low carbon technologies (products and systems), provided that the useful results of such study and research are disseminated to the public at large.
o The advancement of health and the saving of lives and environmental protection and improvement by promoting study and research into improving the safety of the design, development, manufacture and installation of renewable energy and low carbon technologies (products and systems),provided that the useful results of such study and research are disseminated to the public at large.
o The advancement of environmental protection and improvement by supporting the development of standards and related guidance for the renewable energy and low carbon technology sector, and
o The advancement of environmental protection and improvement by raising awareness and confidence amongst consumers in the area of renewable energy and low carbon technologies (products and systems).

Grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 are available to public and not-for-profit organisations across the UK for projects that aim to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and low carbon technologies. An occasional higher award, usually for up to £100,000, may also be made for exceptional projects.

While matched funding isn’t essential, it is encouraged and the MCS Foundation is likely to prioritise applications with confirmed matched funding in place.

Projects should have a UK-wide impact, either through having a national reach or through developing/demonstrating an innovative approach that could be replicated, adapted or scaled up. Projects that are specific to the context in the devolved nations and regions are welcome.

Projects should meet one or more of the following priorities:

o Business case development, strategy planning and/or implementation of local and wider area whole house retrofit schemes.
o Community engagement.
o Continuous Professional Development (CDP).
o Developing skills, and/or
o Whole house retrofit supply chain development.

To be eligible for grant support, projects should also meet at least one of the following criteria:

o Capacity building in one of the themed areas.
o Research to support innovation.
o Seed funding for innovative initiatives.
o Sharing examples of good practice, and/or
o Support delivery of a proof of concept.

Funding is not available for:

o Installations and refurbishments (for example, commercial and private properties, community buildings and schools), or
o Transport (for example, electric charging points, battery power development).

To apply, organisations should complete the Enquiry Form on the MCS Foundation website. The enquiry Form can be submitted at any time.

After completing the Enquiry Form, applicants will be contacted by the Foundation and will be sent a full application form if they meet the Foundation’s funding criteria.