The James Kane Foundation has opened its 2026 Expression of Interest process for organisations seeking funding for projects that improve access to education, STEM opportunities, career development, work experience, training and pathways into employment across Northern Ireland.

Established in 2016 through the legacy of the late James “Jim” Walker Kane, owner of JW Kane Precision Engineering Limited, the Foundation supports initiatives designed to help people develop the education, skills, competencies and career opportunities needed to progress into employment, further study or professional life.

For the 2026 funding round, the Foundation expects to allocate approximately:

£400,000 per year

across its grantmaking programme.

Funding may include both:

• Large grants
• Small grants below £25,000

The Foundation indicates that approximately:

• 75% of its annual budget will be allocated to large grants
• 25% will be allocated to small grants of under £25,000

Multi-year funding may also be considered.

The current application process begins with a mandatory Expression of Interest, commonly referred to as an EOI. Organisations whose EOIs are assessed positively may then be invited to submit a full application during Stage 2.

The deadline for the 2026 Expression of Interest round is:

Friday, 16 October 2026 at 12:00 noon

Applicants should note carefully that the closing time is midday, not midnight.

Projects funded through this round will normally be expected to commence from:

June 2027

The Foundation particularly welcomes projects aligned with two priority themes:

1. Enabling STEM-related education and career opportunities
2. Helping students make informed choices between employment, career and higher-level education pathways

Applications are open to eligible organisations including:

• Schools
• Colleges
• Third-level institutions
• Employers
• Private-sector companies
• Charities
• Social enterprises

Priority may be given to projects benefiting people living in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council areas, although the Foundation’s broader area of benefit extends across Northern Ireland.

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About the James Kane Foundation

The James Kane Foundation was established in 2016.

Its funding comes from the legacy of the late James Walker Kane, also known as Jim Kane, who owned JW Kane Precision Engineering Limited.

The Foundation was created with a strong connection to:

• Education
• Skills
• Employment
• Engineering
• Career development
• Training
• Economic opportunity

Its charitable objects focus on advancing education for public benefit, particularly in Portadown and surrounding areas, while also allowing support for projects elsewhere in Northern Ireland.

The Foundation may support people and organisations through activities connected with:

• Work experience
• Employment opportunities
• Training
• Career preparation
• Skills development
• Professional development
• Preparation for entry into occupations, trades or professions

However, the Foundation does not intend to replace funding for services that schools, colleges, government bodies or other public authorities already have a legal obligation to provide.

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Who Governs the James Kane Foundation?

The Foundation is governed by a:

Board of Trustees

with experience across:

• Business
• Education

The Trustees collectively make decisions concerning:

• Grant awards
• Funding priorities
• Project support
• Strategic direction

The Foundation is administered by:

Belfast Charitable Society

which supports the Trustees in delivering the Foundation’s aims and charitable objectives.

This governance structure means applicants should prepare proposals that are not only socially valuable but also:

• Clearly structured
• Financially credible
• Educationally relevant
• Deliverable
• Capable of demonstrating measurable outcomes

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Purpose of the 2026 Funding Round

The Foundation’s core mission is to:

Progress and facilitate education and career opportunities.

Projects seeking support must clearly demonstrate how they contribute to this mission.

Applications that fall outside education, career development, STEM access or transitions into employment are unlikely to be competitive.

The Foundation has identified two principal themes for eligible projects.

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Theme 1: Enabling STEM-Related Education and Career Opportunities

The first funding theme focuses on improving access to opportunities connected with:

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

or:

STEM

Projects under this theme may seek to help participants:

• Discover STEM careers
• Develop technical skills
• Gain practical experience
• Engage with employers
• Access engineering opportunities
• Understand pathways into STEM education
• Build confidence in science and technology
• Prepare for technical employment
• Access skills training
• Participate in work experience

The Foundation’s origins in the legacy of a precision engineering business make STEM and employment development particularly relevant to its charitable objectives.

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What Could a STEM Project Look Like?

The Foundation does not provide an exhaustive list of eligible activities, but qualifying projects might potentially include initiatives such as:

• Engineering outreach
• STEM career programmes
• Employer engagement
• Robotics programmes
• Coding opportunities
• Technology workshops
• Practical engineering experience
• STEM mentoring
• Career fairs
• Skills development programmes
• STEM-related work placements
• Technical training

The important consideration is not simply whether a project uses the label “STEM.”

Applicants need to show how their activity creates additional and meaningful education or career opportunities.

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Theme 2: Helping Students Make Informed Education and Career Choices

The second priority theme concerns helping students make informed decisions between:

• Employment
• Career pathways
• Higher-level education

Many young people face uncertainty when deciding what to do after:

• School
• College
• Training
• Further education

The Foundation is interested in projects that help students better understand the options available to them.

This could include initiatives helping participants understand:

• University pathways
• Apprenticeships
• Vocational training
• Employment opportunities
• Professional careers
• Technical careers
• Further education
• Skills requirements

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Why Career Decision-Making Matters

Students may have limited information about:

• Different industries
• Entry requirements
• Apprenticeships
• Career progression
• Workplace expectations
• Alternative pathways to university

Good career guidance can help individuals make choices aligned with their:

• Skills
• Interests
• Strengths
• Ambitions
• Financial circumstances

Projects under this theme should therefore demonstrate how they improve the quality of information, experience or support available to learners.

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Additionality Is a Key Requirement

The James Kane Foundation specifically states that it seeks:

Additionality

in the projects it funds.

This means funding should create something additional to what is already available.

Applicants should demonstrate clearly:

• What currently exists
• What gap remains
• What the proposed project adds
• Why Foundation funding is necessary

A project that simply continues standard activity without adding something new may be less competitive.

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What Additionality Could Mean

Additionality may involve:

• Reaching a new group of participants
• Expanding access to an existing opportunity
• Introducing an innovative programme
• Creating a new employer partnership
• Developing a new training pathway
• Providing an opportunity not previously available
• Testing a new model
• Bringing STEM resources to underserved communities

Applicants should explain additionality directly rather than expecting Trustees to infer it.

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Projects the Foundation Will Not Fund

The Foundation states that it will not support activities that Trustees believe are the responsibility of:

• Local authorities
• Government
• Public bodies with statutory obligations

This means funding cannot simply substitute for services that should already be delivered through public funding.

The Foundation will also avoid funding projects that:

Duplicate existing provision.

Applicants therefore need to research existing services and demonstrate that their project fills a genuine gap.

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Avoiding Duplication

A strong application should explain:

• What similar services currently exist
• How the proposed activity differs
• Which participants are currently underserved
• Why another service is necessary
• Whether the project complements rather than duplicates other organisations

This is particularly important in areas where several organisations are already delivering similar education or employment programmes.

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Geographic Priority: Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon

The Foundation may give particular priority to projects benefiting people in the:

Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council areas.

This geographic priority reflects the Foundation’s historical connection to:

• Portadown
• Surrounding communities

However, the Foundation’s objects allow activity elsewhere in:

Northern Ireland

Projects outside the priority council area may therefore still be eligible where they fit the wider mission and criteria.

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Approximately £400,000 Available Annually

The James Kane Foundation intends to allocate approximately:

£400,000 per year

through its grantmaking.

This does not mean a single organisation can apply for £400,000.

Rather, this is the approximate total annual funding envelope available across funded projects.

Applicants should request only what is justified by:

• Project scope
• Delivery plan
• Outputs
• Outcomes
• Budget

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Large and Small Grants

The Foundation plans to divide its annual budget broadly as follows:

Large Grants

Approximately:

75% of the annual budget

will be allocated to larger grants.

The information provided does not specify a single maximum amount for a large grant.

Applicants considering a substantial request should therefore review the detailed guidance carefully rather than assuming a particular upper limit.

Small Grants

Approximately:

25% of the budget

will be allocated to:

Small grants below £25,000

This makes the programme potentially suitable for both:

• Smaller pilot projects
• Larger strategic initiatives

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Multi-Year Funding Is Possible

The Foundation states that it will consider:

Multi-year funding

This can be valuable for projects requiring more than one year to:

• Develop
• Recruit participants
• Deliver training
• Measure outcomes
• Establish partnerships

However, multi-year funding should not be assumed automatically.

Applicants should provide a clear case for why several years of funding are necessary.

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When Can Projects Begin?

Projects supported through the current round will normally be funded only if they commence from:

June 2027

Applicants should therefore plan:

• Recruitment
• Staffing
• Procurement
• Partnerships
• Programme delivery

around the expected funding commencement date.

Projects requiring funding significantly before June 2027 may not align with the Foundation’s normal timetable.

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Match Funding Is Allowed

The James Kane Foundation allows its grants to be combined with:

• Match funding
• Other secured funding sources

This means applicants do not necessarily need the Foundation to finance the entire project.

Indeed, applications that can demonstrate:

Secured match funding

may be viewed more favourably.

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Why Match Funding Can Strengthen an Application

Match funding can demonstrate:

• Wider confidence in the project
• Shared commitment
• Financial sustainability
• Partnership
• Lower dependence on one funder
• Stronger leverage of Foundation resources

Applicants should clearly state:

• How much match funding has been secured
• Who is providing it
• What costs it will cover
• Whether it is confirmed or pending

Do not describe unconfirmed funding as secured.

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Partnership Funding Is Encouraged

The Foundation states that it is willing to work with:

• Other organisations
• Other funders

where collaboration can:

• Maximise impact
• Increase resources
• Improve project delivery

This may be particularly useful for larger education or STEM initiatives involving:

• Schools
• Universities
• Employers
• Charities
• Industry bodies
• Community organisations

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Eligible Project Costs

The Foundation may support several types of direct project costs.

These can include:

Project Costs

Funding may support costs directly required to deliver the proposed programme.

Salary Costs

The Foundation may support salary costs where they are clearly connected to the project.

This could include staff required specifically for:

• Project coordination
• Training
• Delivery
• Participant support

Equipment Costs

Equipment may also be eligible where it is clearly required for project delivery.

For STEM programmes, this could be particularly relevant where projects need technical equipment.

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Funding Requests Must Be Clearly Connected to Outcomes

Every cost should be linked to:

• Project activities
• Outputs
• Outcomes

Applicants should avoid submitting broad or poorly justified budgets.

For example, instead of requesting a generic equipment budget, explain:

• What equipment is required
• Who will use it
• Why it is necessary
• What educational outcome it enables

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Overhead and Indirect Costs Are Normally Not Funded

The Foundation generally does not seek to fund:

• General overheads
• Indirect organisational costs

because its priority is supporting:

New and/or innovative projects

that directly align with its mission.

Applicants should therefore avoid including large general administrative charges unless there is a compelling project-specific justification.

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Organisational Reserves May Be Reviewed

The Foundation may request further information concerning:

Organisational reserves

Applicants should therefore be prepared to explain:

• Current reserves
• Financial position
• Why Foundation support is necessary

This helps Trustees understand whether the requested funding represents appropriate use of philanthropic resources.

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Who Can Apply?

The James Kane Foundation accepts applications from several categories of organisations.

Eligible applicants include:

Education Bodies

Such as:

• Schools
• Colleges
• Third-level institutions

Employers

Including:

• Private-sector companies

Charities

Eligible charitable organisations may apply where the project aligns with the mission and themes.

Social Enterprises

Social enterprises can also apply if they meet the programme requirements.

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Can Individuals Apply?

The information provided describes eligible applicants as organisations rather than individuals.

It does not list:

• Individual students
• Individual researchers
• Individual jobseekers

as direct applicants.

The funding is therefore primarily designed to support organisations delivering projects for beneficiaries.

Individuals may benefit from funded projects but are not identified as direct applicants under the published eligibility categories.

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One Application Per Organisation

The Foundation will consider:

Only one application per organisation in each grant round.

This is an important restriction.

Organisations with multiple possible projects should decide internally which application represents their strongest fit with the Foundation’s priorities.

Submitting several applications from different departments of the same organisation may not be accepted.

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Can an Organisation Receive Funding More Than Once?

Yes.

The Foundation may fund the same organisation more than once over time.

However:

It will not provide multiple awards to the same organisation within the same funding cycle.

Future applications from previous grantees are considered on a:

Case-by-case basis

and are usually dependent on satisfactory performance against previous:

• Outputs
• Outcomes

Organisations that have previously received funding should therefore be prepared to demonstrate the impact of earlier awards.

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The Application Process

The James Kane Foundation uses a:

Two-stage application process

consisting of:

1. Expression of Interest
2. Full Application

The purpose of the two-stage structure is to allow the Foundation to assess project fit before asking applicants to prepare a more detailed full submission.

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Stage 1: Expression of Interest

The first stage is the:

Expression of Interest

or:

EOI

This allows applicants to present:

• Their project concept
• Relevant organisational information
• Supporting evidence

The EOI is therefore an important screening stage.

Applicants should not treat it as an informal preliminary note.

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Expression of Interest Form Requirements

The Foundation has strict formatting instructions.

Applications must be completed using the official forms provided.

They must be submitted in:

Microsoft Word format

Applicants must:

• Leave the form formatting unchanged
• Not add photographs
• Not add images
• Not insert extra text boxes

Applications submitted:

• In another format
• With altered formatting

will not be accepted.

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Word Limits Must Be Followed

Many questions in the EOI form include:

Maximum word counts

Applicants must not exceed these limits.

Information provided beyond the stated limit may:

• Be treated as ineligible
• Not be considered

This means applicants should write strategically.

Prioritize:

• Need
• Project design
• Outcomes
• Fit
• Evidence

rather than lengthy background information.

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No Unrequested Additional Documents

Applicants cannot attach additional supporting papers unless the Foundation specifically requests them.

Do not attempt to strengthen an application by sending:

• Extra brochures
• Large reports
• Promotional materials
• Unrequested case studies

The application should stand on the evidence permitted within the formal process.

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Required Supporting Documents

The EOI form sets out the supporting documentation required at Stage 1.

Applicants must submit:

All requested information

for the EOI to be accepted.

Incomplete submissions will:

Not be assessed and will be rejected.

Applicants should therefore use a checklist before sending their application.

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Data Sharing and Due Diligence

The Foundation notes that information supplied through the application process may be shared with:

• Other funders
• Government departments
• Agencies

for purposes such as:

• Audit
• Research
• Statutory obligations
• Crime prevention
• Crime detection

Applicants should therefore ensure all information submitted is:

• Accurate
• Complete
• Verifiable

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Stage 2: Full Application

EOIs undergo assessment after the October deadline.

Applications will either:

• Be rejected, or
• Proceed to Stage 2

Only successful Stage 1 applicants will move to:

The Full Application stage

This means applicants should not prepare a complete second-stage application unless invited.

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When Will EOI Applicants Hear Back?

The Foundation expects applicants to be notified approximately:

8–10 weeks after the Expression of Interest deadline

Given the deadline of October 16, applicants should therefore expect initial decisions later in 2026.

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No Appeal Process

The James Kane Foundation’s funding decisions are:

Final

There is:

No right of appeal

Applicants should therefore ensure their EOI is as complete and persuasive as possible at the time of submission.

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No Feedback Will Be Provided

The Foundation states that:

Feedback will not be provided

to unsuccessful applicants.

Because of this, organisations should carefully self-assess against the eligibility criteria before applying.

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Expression of Interest Deadline

The deadline is:

Friday, 16 October 2026 at 12:00 noon

Applicants should not assume that the form can be submitted at the end of the business day.

The deadline is specifically:

12 PM

rather than 5 PM or midnight.

Submitting at least a day early is advisable.

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Download the 2026 EOI Guidance

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the full guidance before preparing their submission.

2026 EOI Guidance

The guidance should be reviewed carefully for:

• Eligibility
• Funding priorities
• Application questions
• Supporting documents
• Assessment requirements

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Download the Expression of Interest Form

The official 2026 EOI form

Applicants must use this form and preserve its original formatting.

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Key Dates at a Glance

EOI forms available: 2026

EOI deadline: Friday, 16 October 2026 at 12:00 noon

EOI decision: Approximately 8–10 weeks after the deadline

Stage 2: By invitation

Normal project funding commencement: June 2027

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Funding at a Glance

Foundation: James Kane Foundation

Approximate annual grant budget: £400,000

Large grants: Approximately 75% of the annual funding budget

Small grants: Approximately 25% of the annual budget

Small grant threshold: Under £25,000

Multi-year funding: May be considered

Match funding: Permitted and potentially advantageous

Eligible project costs: Project costs, salary costs and equipment costs where clearly related to the project

General overheads: Normally not funded

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How to Prepare a Strong James Kane Foundation EOI

1. Start With the Foundation’s Mission

Your application should clearly demonstrate how the project will:

Progress and facilitate education and career opportunities.

Do not make the connection vague.

State directly what educational or employment outcome the project will create.

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2. Align Clearly With One or Both Themes

Identify whether the project fits:

• STEM education and careers
• Education/employment decision-making

or both.

Do not submit a general youth programme and assume the Foundation will identify the connection.

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3. Demonstrate Additionality

Explain:

• What currently exists
• What is missing
• What your programme adds
• Why it cannot be delivered through existing provision

This is one of the Foundation’s explicit priorities.

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4. Avoid Statutory Activity

Do not apply for services that schools, government or local authorities are already required to provide.

The Foundation wants philanthropic funding to create:

Additional opportunities

rather than replace statutory provision.

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5. Demonstrate Need

Use evidence to show:

• Who needs the project
• What barrier exists
• How many people are affected
• Why the issue matters

Evidence can make the difference between a general idea and a credible project proposal.

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6. Define Outputs

Outputs describe what the project will deliver.

For example:

• Number of workshops
• Number of participants
• Number of placements
• Number of mentoring relationships
• Number of employer sessions

These should be realistic and measurable.

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7. Define Outcomes

Outcomes describe the change created.

Examples might include:

• Improved STEM confidence
• Increased career awareness
• Improved technical skills
• More students entering apprenticeships
• Better understanding of higher education pathways
• Increased employment readiness

Trustees will want to understand what changes because of the grant.

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8. Explain Why Your Organisation Is Well Placed to Deliver

Applicants should demonstrate organisational capacity.

This may include:

• Relevant experience
• Staff expertise
• Partnerships
• Existing relationships with schools
• Employer networks
• Previous programme outcomes

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9. Use Match Funding Strategically

If match funding has already been secured, state it clearly.

The Foundation says confirmed match funding may be viewed more favourably.

Explain:

• Funding source
• Amount
• Confirmation status
• How it complements the Foundation request

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10. Follow the Form Instructions Exactly

Technical compliance matters.

Do not:

• Alter the form
• Add photographs
• Add text boxes
• Exceed word limits
• Submit unrequested documents

Even a strong project can be rejected if the application does not comply with formal requirements.

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Important Details at a Glance

Organisation: James Kane Foundation

Funding round: 2026

Primary location: Northern Ireland

Priority geography: Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon

Funding focus: Education and career opportunities

Theme 1: STEM-related education and career opportunities

Theme 2: Supporting informed decisions between employment/career and higher-level education

Eligible applicants: Education bodies, employers, charities and social enterprises

Approximate annual funding: £400,000

Small grants: Under £25,000

Multi-year funding: Possible

Application process: Two stages

Stage 1: Expression of Interest

Stage 2: Full application by invitation

EOI deadline: 16 October 2026 at 12:00 noon

Normal funded project start: June 2027

EOI Form:
https://jameskanefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/JKF-Expression-of-Interest-2026.docx

Guidance:
https://jameskanefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/JKF-EOI-Guidelines-2026.pdf

Main information:
https://lnkd.in/eWWsuMfC

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Conclusion

The James Kane Foundation 2026 grant round offers an important funding opportunity for eligible organisations delivering education, STEM and career-development projects across Northern Ireland.

The Foundation expects to allocate approximately £400,000 per year, with around 75% directed toward larger grants and 25% toward grants below £25,000. Multi-year funding may also be considered.

Applications should support the Foundation’s mission of progressing and facilitating education and career opportunities and must align with at least one of two priority themes:

1. Enabling STEM-related education and career opportunities.
2. Helping students make informed choices between employment/career pathways and higher-level education.

Eligible applicants include schools, colleges, third-level institutions, employers, private-sector companies, charities and social enterprises.

The Foundation places strong emphasis on additionality, meaning funded programmes should create opportunities beyond what is already available. It will not fund activities that public bodies have a statutory responsibility to deliver or projects that unnecessarily duplicate existing services.

Priority may be given to projects benefiting people in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, although the Foundation’s remit extends more broadly across Northern Ireland.

Funding may cover project, salary and equipment costs where clearly connected to project outputs and outcomes. General overheads are normally not funded.

Match funding is allowed, and applications demonstrating confirmed match funding may receive more favourable consideration.

The application process has two stages. Organisations must first submit an Expression of Interest. Successful applicants will then be invited to complete a full application.

EOIs must be submitted using the Foundation’s official Word document without modifying its formatting, adding images or exceeding stated word limits.

The deadline for Stage 1 is:

Friday, 16 October 2026 at 12:00 noon.

Applicants are expected to receive an EOI decision approximately 8–10 weeks after the deadline.

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