DWP Pathways to Work Innovation Fund opens to businesses, closes 26 October

DWP Pathways to Work Innovation Fund opens to businesses, closes 26 October

28 September 2026 — The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) opened applications for the Pathways to Work Innovation Fund at 12:01am on 28 September 2026. The fund gives grants to test new ways of helping disabled people and people with long-term health conditions prepare for work, get a job, stay in work or progress at work. Applications close at 11:59pm on 26 October 2026.

Who can apply

The fund is open to organisations across the United Kingdom, including companies, community interest companies, charities, social enterprises, universities and research organisations, and eligible public bodies. UK government departments and individuals cannot apply. Organisations can apply alone or in a partnership with a named lead. An organisation does not need to have worked on disability employment before, and it does not need to have applied for government funding before.

DWP's list of what counts as innovation includes a new product or tool, a new use of technology, and a new approach for employers. One of its example project types is testing a new technology product for job matching or career progression. The fund will not pay for an existing service to continue unchanged.

How much, and for how long

The applicant bid pack says the fund will invest up to £60 million over two years. It also says there is no minimum or maximum amount an organisation can apply for. Projects must be delivered within 12 months of signing the grant agreement, and funding runs to the end of March 2028. The Find a grant listing shows a different total of £10 million and a range of £1 to £10 million. We could not tell from the published documents whether that figure refers to this round only.

Payments normally follow evidence of completed milestones, at most one a month. Where there is a clear need, an applicant can ask for a mobilisation payment of up to 30% of the grant. DWP says it will approve these only in exceptional circumstances.

Dates

• 28 September to 26 October 2026: application window, with weekly online drop-in sessions.
• By 5 October 2026: DWP publishes a partnership directory to help applicants find partners.
• Early October 2026: online application portal launches. Until then, the application form can be downloaded and sent by email or post.
• By 9 November 2026: shortlisted applicants told.
• 16 to 27 November 2026: development sessions for shortlisted applicants. Revised applications are accepted from 27 November to 4 December.
• From January 2027: funding decisions. From February 2027: mobilisation, after the grant agreement is signed.

Who is affected

HR technology, assistive technology, recruitment and occupational health providers, employers with workforce inclusion projects, and the charities and councils they would partner with.

What to do

• Download the bid pack, application form, budget template and milestones template from GOV.UK.
• If you want a partner, send the Partnership Interest Form so you are listed in the directory.
• Make sure the proposal explains what is new, what DWP could learn from it, and how disabled people helped shape it. The assessment criteria score all three.
• Submit one application per idea, well before 26 October. An application cannot be changed after it is submitted unless DWP shortlists it.

Sources

• GOV.UK (Department for Work and Pensions): Pathways to Work Innovation Fund: applicant bid pack — 28 September 2026
• Find a grant (GOV.UK): Pathways to Work Innovation Fund — 28 September 2026
• GOV.UK (Department for Work and Pensions): Pathways to Work Innovation Fund — 27 August 2026