Could £500 help make
your idea happen?
The Murdoch GRANT
Have you got a small idea that could make life a little better for people living with dementia and their carers?
A grant of up to £500 could help you get it started.
You do not need a fully formed project or any experience of applying for grants. Just tell us, in your own words, what you would like to make happen. We would love to hear from you.
About the GRANTS
Good ideas often begin with one person, one group or even one practical change.
Each month, the Dementia Trust will award a Murdoch Grant of up to £500 to help bring a small idea to life or strengthen an existing activity, making a real difference for people living with dementia and their carers.
We have kept the application short because applying for £500 should not involve pages of paperwork.
We will also keep the decision process and follow-up simple.
WHO CAN APPLY
This Grant could be for you if you are:
A small community group or local initiative.
A local charity, voluntary or community organisation.
A carer-led or lived-experience-led group.
An existing community activity that wants to become more dementia-inclusive
We especially want to hear from groups who may not usually see themselves as grant applicants. You do not need a professional fundraiser or a perfectly written proposal.
WHAT WE CAN FUND
Your idea must take place in the UK and benefit people living with dementia, their carers, their families or their communities.
Dementia-inclusive community activities.
Creative, cultural or social activities.
Support for carer wellbeing.
Local awareness-raising or conversations about dementia.
Practical support for people living with dementia.
Intergenerational activity.
Room hire, transport, materials, small equipment, refreshments or participation costs.
An early-stage idea that could develop into something larger.
These are just examples, so please do not worry if your idea looks a little different. If you are not sure whether it fits, get in touch and we will be happy to talk it through with you.
WHAT WE CANNOT FUND
To keep the Grants clear and fair, there are a few things we cannot support:
Retrospective costs or anything paid for before we offer a grant.
Activities taking place outside the UK.
Applications from statutory bodies.
Party-political activity or campaigning for or on behalf of a political party.
Applications from a group that has received funding from the Dementia Trust within the previous 12 months.
General running costs that are not directly linked to the proposed activity.
Religious proselytising.
Activity mainly intended for private or commercial gain.
Anything unlawful, unsafe or inconsistent with the Dementia Trust’s charitable purpose and values.
Applications from individuals.
Organisations without a bank account.
How to apply
Complete the short application form and tell us, in your own words:
What you would like to do.
Who will benefit.
What difference you hope it will make.
How you would use the grant.
When and where the activity will take place.
Whether there are any safeguarding, insurance, permission or other practical issues we should know about.
There are no special phrases or funding language you need to use. We are interested in your idea, not how polished the application sounds. If you would like help with the form, please email admin@dementiatrust.org.
What happens next
We will read every eligible application carefully.
Once a month, two of the Dementia Trust Trustees will look at the ideas. They will consider what you hope to achieve, who could benefit, whether the idea feels practical and what the Trust might learn from supporting it.
If we need a little more information, we will get in touch.
Applications received after a monthly cut-off will simply move into the next round, so you will not need to apply again.
The next application cut-offs are:
5pm on
Friday 16 October 2026
5pm on
Friday 13 November 2026
5pm on
Friday 11 December 2026
We expect to let applicants know the outcome of their application within two weeks of the deadline.
If your application is successful, we will send you a short grant offer and arrange payment. Afterwards, we will ask you to tell us briefly what happened, who benefited, what changed or was learned and how the money was spent. If possible, we would also love a photograph, quote or short story that brings your idea to life.
About Dr Peter Murdoch
The Grant is named in recognition of Dr Peter Murdoch and the care, commitment and experience he has brought to the Dementia Trust over many years. Peter was one of the Trust’s founders, served as a Trustee since 1988 and was Chair from 1997 to 2003.
Peter was a Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine with NHS Forth Valley from 1983 to 2014 and latterly an Executive Director of NHS Forth Valley. His career also included leadership within the British Geriatrics Society and national work on dementia, care standards and services for older people. The University of Stirling awarded him an honorary degree in recognition of his service to older people, people with dementia and the Dementia Services Development Centre.
Not sure whether your idea fits, or would you like a little help with the form? We are happy to help. Email admin@dementiatrust.org