Teacher Development Fund 2026: Funding for Arts-Based Learning in England

Teacher Development Fund 2026 offers funding of up to £165,000 to organisations in England working to help teachers develop arts-based approaches in schools. The programme aims to support more equitable classrooms where children can learn, participate and thrive through arts-based education.

The fund is particularly relevant to charities, community interest companies, social enterprises and other organisations working with schools and teachers. Successful projects must be designed to run for two academic years, making this an opportunity for organisations seeking substantial, longer-term support for teacher development and arts-based learning initiatives.

Applications are currently open, with the deadline set for 11 November 2026.

About the Teacher Development Fund 2026

The Teacher Development Fund is provided by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and focuses on strengthening teachers’ ability to use arts-based approaches in classroom settings.

Rather than providing funding for individual teachers applying on their own behalf, the programme is intended for organisations that work with teachers and schools. Projects should demonstrate how arts-based approaches can contribute to classrooms in which all children have opportunities to learn and thrive.

The fund can provide grants of up to £165,000, while projects are required to operate across two academic years.

The opportunity falls within both the education and arts, entertainment and recreation sectors and is specifically focused on organisations and projects operating in England.

What Does the Funding Support?

The central purpose of the Teacher Development Fund is to help teachers develop and apply arts-based approaches in schools.

Funded projects should therefore have a clear connection between:

Teacher development and professional learning
Arts-based approaches to classroom teaching
School-based implementation
Improved opportunities for children to learn and thrive
Creating more equitable classroom environments

Applicants should be able to explain how their proposed project will support teachers rather than simply presenting an arts project without a teacher-development component.

The two-academic-year requirement also means applicants should consider how their programme will be sustained and developed over an extended period.

Who Can Apply?

The opportunity is aimed at organisations in England that support teachers to develop arts-based approaches in schools.

The GrantMatch listing identifies eligible applicant types including:

Charities
Community interest companies (CICs)
Social enterprises
Limited companies

The fund is not intended for individual teachers applying independently.

Organisations considering an application should ensure that their proposed work clearly relates to teacher development and the use of arts-based approaches within schools.

Key Eligibility Requirements

Before preparing an application, organisations should pay particular attention to the core requirements of the programme.

Two Academic Years

Projects must run for two academic years. Applicants should therefore develop a realistic project plan covering the full period rather than proposing a short-term intervention.

Arts-Based Teacher Development

The project must support teachers to develop arts-based approaches in schools. The arts element should therefore be integrated into the proposed teacher-development model.

Focus on Children and Equitable Classrooms

The overall goal is to help create equitable classrooms where all children can learn and thrive. Applications should demonstrate how the proposed work contributes to this objective.

Organisation-Based Applications

Individual teachers cannot apply on their own behalf. The applicant needs to be an organisation working to support teachers and schools.

Funding Amount and Project Planning

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

Because the project period extends over two academic years, applicants should think carefully about how the funding will be allocated throughout implementation. A strong proposal should be able to connect its requested budget to the activities, teacher-development work and expected outcomes.

Organisations may need to consider costs associated with programme delivery, teacher support, arts-based activities, coordination, evaluation and other eligible project expenses, subject to the full guidance from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

The GrantMatch listing also reports that the funder has made more than 1,000 awards historically, with a typical award of around £40,000, although previous awards should not be interpreted as a guarantee of the amount an applicant will receive.

How to Apply for the Teacher Development Fund 2026

Applications are open through the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Prospective applicants should first review the foundation’s current funding guidance and application requirements. The application should clearly demonstrate that the organisation and proposed project meet the fund’s eligibility criteria.

A strong application should explain:

What the organisation does and whom it supports.
How the project will develop teachers’ use of arts-based approaches.
Which schools and teachers will be involved.
How the project will operate across two academic years.
How the work will contribute to equitable learning environments.
The resources and funding required to deliver the project.
The expected benefits for teachers and children.

Applicants should use the official guidance to confirm the full assessment criteria and any additional requirements before submitting.

Official funding information and application: Paul Hamlyn Foundation – Funding

Application Deadline

The Teacher Development Fund 2026 application deadline is:

11 November 2026

The opportunity was listed as open and was last updated by GrantMatch on 30 August 2026. Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day because preparing an organisational funding application can require significant planning and supporting information.

Quick Facts

Details	Information
Funding opportunity	Teacher Development Fund 2026
Funder	Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Maximum grant	Up to £165,000
Location	England
Sectors	Education; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Project duration	Two academic years
Main focus	Arts-based teacher development
Eligible applicants	Organisations supporting teachers and schools
Individual teacher applications	Not eligible
Status	Applications open
Deadline	11 November 2026

Final Thoughts

The Teacher Development Fund 2026 is a significant funding opportunity for England-based organisations seeking to strengthen teacher development through arts-based learning. With grants of up to £165,000 and a required two-academic-year project period, the programme is suited to organisations capable of delivering structured, sustained work with schools and teachers.

Applicants should make the connection between teacher development, arts-based practice and equitable learning central to their proposals. Before applying, organisations should also consult the Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s official guidance for the complete application criteria and requirements.

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