The Debt Advice Modernisation and Transformation Fund 2026/27

The Debt Advice Modernisation and Transformation Fund (DAMTF) 2026/27 is designed to build on previous MaPS funding by supporting organisations to embed, extend or scale activity that has already demonstrated value. 

This fund focuses on implementation, sustainability and learning, helping to strengthen the delivery, effectiveness and resilience of free-to-client debt advice services across England.

To be eligible for this fund

1. Gateway eligibility (previous MaPS funding)

This funding opportunity is restricted to organisations that have previously received grant funding from MaPS.

The lead applicant organisation must:

• have been a lead grant recipient of either: 

  • the Debt Advice Modernisation Fund (DAMF) 2024/25 or 2025/26, or

  • the Debt Advice Transformation Fund (DATF) 2025/26

  • Consortium partners are not required to have previously received MaPS funding, provided the lead organisation meets this requirement. 

2. Lot-specific eligibility

Applicants must apply to one lot only and meet the relevant criteria:

• Lot 1 – Modernisation (Implementation and Scale):Restricted to organisations that were lead recipients of DAMF 2024/25 or 2025/26

• Lot 2 – Transformation (Further Development and Learning):Restricted to organisations that were lead recipients of DATF 2025/26

Applications that do not meet the relevant lot criteria will not progress. 

3. Baseline organisational eligibility

All applicants must reconfirm that they:

• operate within the debt advice sector or directly support the delivery of free-to-client debt advice in England

• where delivering regulated debt advice, hold appropriate Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authorisation

• demonstrate how they deliver or support free-to-client debt advice

• have appropriate legal status and governance arrangements (including not-for-profit, commercial, or membership organisations)

• demonstrate appropriate financial standing, systems and capacity to manage grant funding responsibly  

4. Delivery, compliance and assurance requirements

Applicants must also confirm that they:

• have the capability and capacity to deliver the proposed project and spend all funding within the agreed funding period

• comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR

• hold Cyber Essentials (or Cyber Essentials Plus) certification or can demonstrate equivalent cyber security standards 

• hold adequate insurance coverage appropriate to their activities

• ensure project outputs align with the fund’s objectives and delivery requirements 

Applicants will be required to self-certify their cyber security arrangements at application stage and provide appropriate supporting evidence.

5. MaPS Standards

Applicants are not required to already be fully compliant with the MaPS Standards.

However:

• where projects involve the design, development or scaling of tools, products or approaches used in debt advice delivery, applicants must demonstrate how the relevant MaPS Standards have been considered and incorporated into the design, implementation and scaling

Scope of eligible activity

Projects must:

• focus on embedding, adapting or scaling activity that has already demonstrated value

• build on existing learning, evidence or delivery experience

• be time-limited and deliverable within the funding period

• contribute to improving the quality, efficiency, resilience or sustainability of debt advice services 

Projects may be local, organisational or place-based, but must demonstrate how learning or insight will be shared to inform wider sector development. 

Activities that will not be supported

Funding will not be awarded for:

• organisations that have not previously received MaPS funding

• routine service delivery or business-as-usual activity

• early-stage or exploratory projects without existing evidence

• activity that duplicates existing provision or funding

• standard technology replacement or upgrades that would normally be funded through core budgets 

Assessment of eligibility

All eligibility requirements will be assessed at Stage 1 of the application process on a Pass / Not Met basis.

The Debt Advice Modernisation and Transformation Fund 2026/27 aims to support activity that strengthens the delivery, effectiveness and sustainability of free-to-client debt advice across England.

Projects funded through this programme should contribute to one or more of the following objectives:

1. Embed and scale what works

Support the implementation, adaptation or wider adoption of approaches, tools or models that have already demonstrated value through earlier MaPS-funded activity, helping to move successful innovation into routine practice.

2. Improve the quality, consistency and efficiency of debt advice delivery

Enable tangible improvements in how debt advice is delivered or supported, including increased efficiency, improved quality assurance, greater consistency across services, or reduced administrative burden, particularly where this benefits people experiencing financial difficulty.

3. Strengthen sector capability and shared infrastructure

Build capability within and across organisations by supporting shared approaches, common infrastructure, or collaborative models that increase resilience, reduce duplication, and support sustainable delivery at scale.

4. Enable learning that informs future implementation

Generate practical, delivery-focused learning that supports replication, scaling or future investment decisions. This includes contributing evidence that complements MaPS’ independent evaluation of previous modernisation and transformation funding.

5. Complement wider commissioning and system change

Support activity that aligns with and complements MaPS’ wider debt advice commissioning arrangements, including regional services, helping ensure that innovation and modernisation activity strengthens – rather than disrupts – commissioned delivery.

• Application opening date: 22nd July 2026 12PM Midday 

• Application deadline: 19th August 2026 12PM Midday 

• Assessment and decision period: Applications will be assessed following the closing date

• Notification of outcome: Applicants are expected to be notified in mid-late September 2026, following completion of assessment and governance approvals

• Grant start date: Upon signature of GFA (late September 2026/1st October 2026)

• End of funding period: All funded activity must be completed, and all funding spent, by 31st March 2027

MaPS reserves the right to amend the timetable where necessary. Any changes will be communicated through the Find a Grant service.

Eligible applicants are invited to submit an application by selecting ‘Start new application’ on the Find a Grant platform. Please note that only one application per organisation will be accepted. You can begin your application and return to it at a later time through your 'Find and Apply for a Grant' account. 

Applicants may only submit one bid as the lead organisation via the online portal. However, applicants may participate in other bids as delivery partners.

Applications for this funding opportunity will be managed and administered by our grants administration team via the Find a Grant platform.

Applicants must submit their application online through the Find a Grant service. Full application instructions, including access to the application form and submission requirements, will be provided within the application portal.

As part of the application, applicants will be required to complete and submit supporting documentation. This is expected to include:

• a Delivery Plan (using the provided template)

• a Financial Methodology / Budget Management Tool (using the provided template)

• responses to application questions set out in the platform

Applications must be submitted by the published deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review all guidance and supporting documents in advance to ensure their application is complete and aligns with the requirements of the scheme.

Delivery Plan Template

Budget Management Template

Guidance

Application Form in Word format (for information and accessibility only)

Link to Webinar  - https://youtu.be/nRZWkuKeHLk

Model GFA - Applicants are asked to familiarise themselves with the general terms and conditions of the agreement. To note that the final GFA for successful applicants will accommodate the specific Debt Advice Modernisation and Transformation Fund 2026/27 grant terms and conditions.

Responses must use only the templates provided in their application response. Use of alternate templates will mean the application is deemed ineligible.

For further queries please contact ggms.mapsdebtfund@ cabinetoffice.gov.uk