Antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention community engagement fund

Who can apply 

You can apply if you are a charity, social enterprise or community organisation that is based in Scotland or delivers services in Scotland.

You must be able to:

• demonstrate experience of facilitating meaningful and inclusive engagement with diverse communities 

• recruit, train and support a community voice and engagement co-ordinator

• support the wellbeing of people who take part in engagement activities 

• demonstrate national reach across Scotland

• engage people from a range of ages, socio-economic backgrounds and experiences, including people affected by antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections 

• demonstrate financial solvency and robust financial management

• manage project delivery between quarterly payments in arrears 

• demonstrate robust safeguarding policies and procedures 

Who cannot apply 

You cannot apply if you are a for-profit business that does not provide a clear public benefit.

What funding can be used for

One grant of up to £100,000 will be awarded,, to recruit a community voice and engagement co-ordinator and support their engagement activities.

You can use funding for: 

• staff costs

• project delivery costs

• reasonable participant incentives

• equipment costs that support project delivery

What funding cannot be used for 

You cannot use funding for: 

• costs that are not directly related to the project

• recoverable VAT 

Funding period

Projects should begin in August 2026.

All funding must be spent by 31 March 2027.

This fund aims to: 

• increase participation in public health policy development, particularly among under-represented and seldom-heard communities

• ensure lived experience informs infection prevention and control (IPC) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategies, action plans and public awareness campaigns

• improve the effectiveness, relevance and accessibility of public health policy, communications and interventions

• strengthen trust, transparency and evidence-based decision-making in public health

Key dates for this fund are set out below.

• Application deadline: 19 July 2026

• Funding starts: August 2026

• SOHASO Group meeting (co-ordinator attendance expected)*: 18 August 2026

• Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) action-planning work begins: From September 2026

• Public consultation period: Early 2027

• Funding period ends: 31 March 2027

*SOHASO: Scottish One Health AMR Strategic Oversight Group

Funding is available for 2026 to 2027 only. Any future funding will be subject to future Scottish Budget decisions.

Apply for this grant by clicking on the ‘start new application’ button by 19 July 2026. You will need to register before you can apply.

Before applying, read the full guidance.

We will not accept late applications.

You will normally receive a decision within two weeks of the closing date.

If you need help, email: HAI-AMR_Policy_Unit@gov.scot.

Why this funding is available

Healthcare associated infection rates are increasing in Scotland.

The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Strategy for Scotland - due for publication in late July 2026 - sets out a 10-year vision to reduce preventable infections across health and social care settings. This highlights the importance of public participation and co-design in achieving lasting improvements.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health threat. When organisms like bacteria and viruses become resistant to medicines, infections become harder to treat and can cause greater harm to people and animals. The UK AMR National Action Plan (2024 to 2029) identifies public engagement, behaviour change and evidence-informed policy as key priorities.

This fund will help ensure that communities across Scotland can contribute directly to the development of infection prevention and antimicrobial resistance policies, strategies and public awareness activities.

Role of the community voice and engagement co-ordinator

Funded organisations must recruit and support a Community Voice and Engagement Co-ordinator.

The co-ordinator will: 

• represent lived experience perspectives in national policy and planning discussions

• engage with communities across Scotland, particularly people affected by antimicrobial resistance or healthcare-associated infections

• ensure engagement activities are inclusive, accessible and safe

• protect participants' privacy, confidentiality and wellbeing

• provide feedback to participants on how their contributions have been used

• identify and address barriers to participation

The postholder will contribute to the IPC Action Planning Groups and the Scottish One Health AMR Strategic Oversight (SOHASO) Group and its Public Awareness Sub-Group.

How applications will be assessed 

Applications will be assessed on:

• quality

• value for money

A panel will score application questions from 0 to 4, with one question (question 2, section 4) which will be scored from 0 to 16.

Each score means the following: 

• 0 - does not answer the question

• 1 - some relevant points, but unclear or lacking detail 

• 2 - basic answer, but missing some detail 

• 3 - clear, detailed and thoughtful answer 

• 4 - very strong, complete and well-explained answer 

Cost will be assessed separately using fixed bands, with the lowest-cost application receiving the highest score: 

• 0 – highest cost band 

• 8 – middle cost band 

• 16 – lowest cost band 

Quality and cost scores will be combined to determine the overall score. If two applications score equally, the one with the higher quality score will be selected.

Applications that score 2 or less on more than one assessment question will be disqualified.

What your application should include

Your application should include: 

• a clear project plan with milestones, timelines and governance arrangements

• a breakdown of estimated spend for 2026 to 2027 and 2027 to 2028 (if further funding is approved) 

• details of how you will engage diverse and under-represented communities

• an explanation of how community insights will inform policy and decision-making

• monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements

• evidence of your ability to mobilise and deliver the project quickly

Monitoring and reporting requirements

Successful organisations will be required to:

• provide monthly verbal progress updates

• attend quarterly review meetings covering progress, finances and risks

• submit mid-year and end-of-year reports

• ensure the co-ordinator participates regularly in national stakeholder groups

Applicants should also explain how they will meet, or have regard to, Fair Work First commitments.