Domestic abuse can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on individuals, families and wider communities. For those connected to the armed forces, service life can bring specific circumstances that may make it harder to recognise abuse, seek help or engage with opportunities for change.
Our Free from Fear programme is now open, offering grants of £100,000 to £250,000 for two-year projects that will help tackle domestic abuse and strengthen responses for serving personnel, veterans, reservists and their families.
What will this programme support?
We want to fund projects that can create practical, long-term change: helping victim-survivors find safe routes to help, supporting perpetrators to take accountability, preventing harm before it escalates, and improving how services respond to the specific needs and challenges of the armed forces community.
Projects might provide direct support, preventative work, or sustainable improvements to service provision, but must work towards one or more of the following outcomes:
- Clear routes for victim-survivors to recognise, report and access support.
- Meaningful behaviour change support for perpetrators, helping them recognise harm and take accountability.
- Preventative work that addresses current and emerging risks of domestic abuse.
- Lasting improvements to services so they better meet the evolving needs of victim-survivors.
We also welcome proposals that additionally address one or both of this year’s optional outcomes:
- Bespoke support for people facing additional barriers, stigma or marginalisation.
- Stronger formal partnerships between organisations with shared expertise.
Why are we running this programme?
Tackling domestic abuse takes time, trust and the right support around people. This programme gives organisations the space to build relationships, work together and respond in ways that reflect the realities of armed forces life.
Through Free from Fear, projects can move beyond short-term activity and focus on change that lasts – from strengthening local partnerships and referral routes to improving how services identify need, support people safely and learn what works.
By investing in this work over two years, we want to help organisations make a meaningful difference for serving personnel, veterans, reservists and their families, while building stronger support that continue to benefit armed forces communities in the future.
Who can apply?
UK-based charities registered for at least three years, local authorities and combined authorities can apply. Applicants must show they understand domestic abuse and the needs of armed forces communities.
Existing Free from Fear grant holders can also apply to this funding round. We will not fund continuation funding for existing projects, but we will consider applications that expand or adapt existing work, as well as proposals for new projects and partnerships.
Find out more
Visit the Free From Fear programme page to read the full guidance before starting an application. It includes detailed information on eligibility, outcomes, partnership expectations, budgets, assessment criteria and how to apply.
Application deadline: midday on Wednesday 23 September 2026. Grant decisions will be announced by the end of December 2026.