Teachers Development Fund 2026: Up to £165,000 for Arts-Based Learning

The Teachers Development Fund 2026 offers grants of up to £165,000 to organisations in England supporting teachers to develop arts-based approaches in schools. Learn about eligibility, funding, project requirements and how to apply before 11 November 2026.

The Teachers Development Fund 2026 is a funding opportunity designed to help organisations in England strengthen teaching and learning through arts-based approaches. The fund supports projects that work with teachers and schools to develop approaches that can contribute to more equitable classrooms where children have greater opportunities to learn and thrive.

The current opportunity provides grants of up to £165,000 for projects that run across two academic years. Applications are currently open and must be submitted by 11 November 2026.

The fund is provided by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation (PHF) and is particularly relevant to organisations working at the intersection of arts and education.

Category	Details
Fund	Teachers Development Fund
Funder	Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Maximum grant	Up to £165,000
Location	England
Focus	Arts-based learning and teacher development
Project duration	Two academic years
Eligible applicants	Organisations supporting teachers and schools
Application status	Open
Deadline	11 November 2026

What Is the Teachers Development Fund?

The Teachers Development Fund supports organisations that want to help teachers incorporate arts-based approaches into classroom practice.

Rather than funding individual teachers to pursue their own professional development, the opportunity is aimed at organisations that can develop and deliver a broader project involving schools and teachers.

The central objective is to support approaches that can help create equitable classrooms in which children are supported to learn, participate and thrive.

Projects should therefore demonstrate a clear connection between teacher development, arts-based practice and improved educational experiences for children.

How Much Funding Is Available?

Successful applicants can receive up to £165,000.

The funding is intended for projects lasting two academic years, making this a substantial opportunity for organisations seeking to develop a sustained arts-and-education programme rather than a short-term activity.

Applicants should ensure that their proposed budget is clearly connected to the activities, outcomes and duration of the project.

The maximum grant should not automatically be interpreted as an amount every applicant will receive. Organisations should develop a realistic funding request based on the scale and requirements of their proposed project.

Who Can Apply?

The Teachers Development Fund is intended for organisations in England working to support teachers and develop arts-based approaches in schools.

The available information identifies organisations such as:

Charities
Community interest companies
Social enterprises
Limited companies

The opportunity is therefore broader than traditional charitable organisations, although applicants must still meet the fund’s specific eligibility conditions.

Who Is the Fund Designed For?

The fund is aimed at organisations working with schools and teachers rather than individuals applying independently.

An individual teacher cannot apply on their own behalf under the opportunity described by the funding information.

Strong applicants are likely to be organisations with a clear educational or arts-related mission and the capacity to deliver a project over two academic years.

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

The core requirement is that proposed projects support teachers to develop arts-based approaches in schools.

This could include programmes designed to help teachers use creative and arts-related methods as part of classroom teaching and learning.

The fund’s stated goal is broader than simply increasing access to arts activities. It seeks to support approaches that can contribute to equitable classrooms and positive learning outcomes for children.

Applicants should therefore explain how their proposed work will strengthen teachers’ practice and how the resulting changes could benefit pupils.

Key Project Requirement

One of the most important conditions is the two-academic-year project duration.

Organisations considering an application should make sure their project design demonstrates sufficient depth and sustainability for this timeframe.

A strong proposal should clearly connect:

Teacher development → arts-based practice → classroom change → benefits for children.

This type of logical structure can help demonstrate why the project requires sustained support rather than a one-off intervention.

Why Arts-Based Teacher Development Matters

Arts-based learning can provide schools with approaches that encourage creativity, participation and new ways of engaging pupils with educational content.

For organisations applying to the Teachers Development Fund, the emphasis should remain on teacher development and classroom practice rather than simply delivering arts events.

The opportunity is particularly relevant to organisations seeking to embed creative approaches within school environments and support teachers in developing new professional practices.

What Applicants Should Prepare

Although the final application should follow the current guidance from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, organisations should be prepared to explain the main components of their proposed project.

Project Rationale

Applicants should establish the educational need their project addresses and explain why arts-based teacher development is an appropriate response.

Teacher Development Approach

The proposal should demonstrate how teachers will be supported to develop their knowledge, confidence and ability to use arts-based approaches.

School Engagement

Because the fund is focused on schools, applicants should clearly explain how schools will participate and what role teachers and school staff will play.

Outcomes for Children

A convincing application should make a clear case for how improvements in teacher practice are expected to contribute to more equitable and effective learning environments for children.

Sustainability

Given the two-year project period, applicants should consider how learning generated through the project can be embedded and sustained beyond the funding period.

Benefits of the Teachers Development Fund

The opportunity offers several advantages to eligible organisations.

Significant Funding

With grants of up to £165,000, the fund can support a substantial multi-year project.

Two-Year Delivery Period

The two-academic-year timeframe allows organisations to develop a programme over a meaningful period rather than relying on a short intervention.

Focus on Teacher Development

Projects can concentrate on strengthening teacher practice through arts-based approaches, making the fund relevant to organisations interested in educational change.

Potential for Wider Educational Impact

Because projects are delivered through schools and teachers, successful approaches may have a broader effect on classroom learning and pupil experiences.

How to Apply for the Teachers Development Fund 2026

Applications are open through the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Organisations should review the latest fund guidance, confirm their eligibility and develop a proposal that clearly addresses the objectives and requirements of the Teachers Development Fund.

The stated application deadline is:

11 November 2026

Applicants should avoid leaving submission until the final day, particularly where organisational information, project planning and supporting materials need to be prepared.

Application Steps

Review the Teachers Development Fund guidance from Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
Confirm that your organisation and proposed project meet the eligibility requirements.
Develop a two-academic-year project focused on teacher development and arts-based approaches.
Prepare a realistic project budget and supporting information.
Explain the expected benefits for teachers, schools and children.
Submit the application through the Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s official funding process before the deadline.

Official funding information: Paul Hamlyn Foundation

Application Tips

Organisations should make the connection between arts practice and teacher development central to their proposal.

A project that simply provides arts activities may not demonstrate the same fit as one that clearly shows how teachers will develop new approaches that can be applied in their classrooms.

Applicants should also avoid presenting broad aspirations without explaining what will actually change. Clearly defined activities, intended outcomes and an explanation of how progress will be assessed can strengthen the overall case for funding.

The project should also be realistic for delivery across two academic years, with sufficient organisational capacity and school engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can organisations receive?

The Teachers Development Fund provides grants of up to £165,000.

Where must applicants be based?

The opportunity is for organisations in England.

How long must projects run?

Projects must run for two academic years.

Can individual teachers apply?

No. The fund is designed for organisations that support teachers to develop arts-based approaches in schools rather than individual teachers applying independently.

What is the main focus of the fund?

The fund supports teacher development through arts-based approaches in schools, with the broader goal of helping create equitable classrooms where children can learn and thrive.

When is the deadline?

Applications are open until 11 November 2026.

Who provides the funding?

The fund is provided by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Conclusion

The Teachers Development Fund 2026 represents a significant opportunity for organisations in England working to strengthen education through the arts. With grants of up to £165,000 and a two-academic-year delivery period, the fund can support substantial programmes focused on teacher development and arts-based classroom practice.

The strongest applicants will be those able to demonstrate a clear educational need, a credible approach to supporting teachers, meaningful engagement with schools and a convincing pathway toward better and more equitable learning experiences for children.

Organisations should review the latest Paul Hamlyn Foundation guidance carefully, develop a focused project and submit their application before the 11 November 2026 deadline.

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