Service Development Funding
SWAG Open Funding Call for Early Diagnosis and Health Inequalities
Earlier diagnosis of cancer will save or extend more lives and improve quality of life for people affected by cancer. SWAG Cancer Alliance is committed to improving service delivery and outcomes through prevention and earlier detection of cancer.
Not everyone has the same opportunities to prevent, get diagnosed with, access treatment or survive cancer. These unfair and avoidable differences are referred to as health inequalities.
A core aim of the Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire (SWAG) Cancer Alliance is also to tackle health inequalities throughout the cancer pathway.
Funding is now available to support our partner organisations to deliver these two core aims. This document outlines the process in place to access these funds.
Who can apply
- Integrated Care Boards
- NHS Trusts
- Primary Care Networks
- GP Practices
- Pharmacies
- VCFSE organisations
- Some private limited companies
What projects will be funded
Funding is available for projects that:
Support Early Diagnosis
- Screening
- Timely presentation
- Primary care pathways and support
- Early Diagnosis initiatives (Innovation)
Reduce Health Inequalities*
- Early diagnosis
- Accessing diagnostic services
- Treatment and care
- Experiences of care
- Communications and engagement activities and materials that support the above
*See below for some examples of people who may face barriers to accessing services.
How much can we apply for?
- Up to £50,000 per project
- Bids below £15,000 will be reviewed and a decision made by the relevant SWAG programme lead
- Bids from £15,000 to £50,000 will be reviewed by a panel and will be discussed where required
- The monies awarded will be paid directly to the successful organisation
- If you are applying on behalf of a company or charity, please include your organisations Company Number or Charity Number in your application. If you don't have one, please include a link to your website, an example of previous work you have done, or the contact details of someone who can provide a reference.
- If you have a specific project that may require more than £50,000, please contact us to discuss this at swagca@nbt.nhs.uk.
Funding requests should consider the following areas of focus:
- The project supports SWAG's strategic goals of driving earlier diagnosis and reducing health inequalities
- The application must outline expected outcomes of success/benefit that the project will achieve
- The application must outline how the work will be evaluated including submitting data about the impact of your project
- The project must be deliverable and viable
- The project should be replicable to other areas across the SWAG Cancer Alliance footprint
- There should be a commitment to shared learning and education
- Applicants must be willing to submit at least one case study per project
- This fund is not designed to be an extension of an initiative already funded by the Cancer Alliance
- Your project may be shared at SWAG, regional and national events
- You will be required to use the SWAG logos in any communications
How to apply
Applications open: 22 September 2025
Deadline for submissions: 30 November 2025
Panel review dates: 10 November 2025 and 18 December 2025
Applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. If all funds are allocated at the first panel meeting, the open call will be closed early.
Step 1: Application submitted and acknowledged
All requests for funding are to be submitted via the application form which can be found online via this link. Alternatively, you can request a printed copy by emailing us at swagca@nbt.nhs.uk.
All requests for funding will receive a ‘receipt of proposal’ email within 2 working days of submission.
Step 2: Reviewing applications
Each application will be reviewed based on the funding principles described in part 4) and scoring against the criteria outlined in Appendix A
Funding requests of up to £15k will be reviewed within 5 working days of the submission and the outcome communicated to the named contact.
Funding request between £15k - £50k will be reviewed by a panel made up of the following stakeholders:
- SWAG Clinical Director/Lead/CAG chair
- SWAG Managing Director/Alliance Manager
- SWAG Early Diagnosis and Health Inequalities Programme Manager
- ICB representative
- VCFSE representative
- Lead cancer nurse/AHP
- People with lived experience
Step 3: Outcome of application communicated to applicants
Funding requests of up to £15k will be reviewed within 5 working days of the submission and the outcome communicated to the named contact.
The outcome of applications reviewed by the panel will be communicated within 2 working days of the panel meeting.
The applicant/organisation will be informed of the outcome of the funding request along with details of how to access the funding/invoicing arrangements.
If your bid was unsuccessful, you will be provided with feedback but unfortunately, there is no appeal process.
Step 4: MOU put in place for successful project
A Memorandum of Understanding with successful applications will be put in place to provide assurance to SWAG CA on the appropriate use of funds. The MOU will outline the purpose and, conditions of the grant use (only for agreed activities), reporting requirements (simple evaluation form, evidence of spend) and the management of any underspend.
Step 5: Evaluation and shared learning
Successful applicants will be required to meet monthly with the SWAG team to discuss project progress. A standardised Progress and Finances Template (Appendix C) has been created for all organisations to complete in preparation of the meeting, to guide discussions and any actions identified.
At least one case study will be collected, and a final report will be produced based on data collected and submitted on completion of the project.
For any queries or for support with your application, please email swagca@nbt.nhs.uk.
