Community Rail Network administers a number of grant schemes, on behalf of national and regional government and some train operators. Each is only open to certain Community Rail Network members, according to specific criteria applying to each fund.

Please contact your usual support and development team member if you need advice on applying for these opportunities.

Community Rail Development Fund (CRDF)

The 2024-25 Community Rail Development Fund is open for applications.

Community rail partnerships in England and Wales that are accredited by the Department for Transport (DfT) can apply to this funding scheme, which Community Rail Network administers on behalf of the DfT. It is intended to support projects and activities set out in CRPs’ annual plans. The maximum grant for projects in this funding period is £25,000.

You must speak to your usual contact within our support and development team to discuss your project before submitting any bid.

The deadline for project completion has been extended to June 2025, however applications must be received by the end of March 2025.

Download the application form and funding criteria

Small Grants Fund (England)

The 2024-25 Small Grants Fund (England) is open for applications.

Community Rail Network members in England can apply for small grants (up to £2,500 for CRPs and community station members or £1,000 for station friends, adopters and small groups) through this scheme, which Community Rail Network administers on behalf of the Department for Transport.

PLEASE NOTE: The Small Grants Fund for England is now closed to accredited CRPs, as we are asking them to redirect their applications to the Community Rail Development Fund. The Small Grants Fund continues to be open to our community station, non-accredited CRP and station adoption/small group members. 

Please speak to your usual contact within our support and development team to discuss your project before submitting any bid. You can also email us with any queries or for more details.

Download the application form and funding criteria

Integrated sustainable transport in community rail fund

The 2023/24 ‘Integrated sustainable transport in community rail grant fund’ has now closed for applications.

Supported by the DfT, this grant scheme is to help fund community rail initiatives that aim to improve and develop integrated sustainable transport.

Read a summary of the projects we have funded from 2020-2024.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Small Grants Fund

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is providing funding and wider support to community groups who want to improve Greater Manchester’s rail stations. They have made a funding pot available for project bids from Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) and Friends Groups. CRPs and Community Stations can bid for up to £1,500. Friends Groups can bid for up to £500.

Bids will be assessed on their benefit to local communities. We are looking for evidence-based submissions on what the project is hoping to achieve. This could be, for example:

• Greater local engagement
• Reduced crime
• Improved recycling rates

(Note: projects should not be primarily aimed at increasing rail patronage).

There is no limit on the amount of bids each CRP or Friends Groups can make. All bids must be submitted on the form below and emailed to grants@communityrail.org.uk and will be assessed by TfGM and Community Rail Network, and, where appropriate, Network Rail. Where appropriate submissions will be shared with Network Rail and train operators to a) seek relevant approvals and b) seek additional or match funding. Once a request has been approved funds will be distribute via Community Rail Network.

TfGM are also keen to help applicants with their projects and will also be happy to provide communications support, for example writing press releases or profiling your project on social media.

TfGM’s rail officers also keen to help you plan your project and also, where necessary, liaise with Network Rail and the train operators. TfGM may also be able to provide volunteer support. This will be measured as a funding contribution of £15 per hour. Community involvement in rail stations is hugely important and is highly valued by TfGM. It is a key part of their plan to transform rail stations into community hubs that provide access to a range of essential services.

Download the application form and funding criteria

South Western Railway (SWR) Station Adoption Fund

SWR funding allows for the provision of a Small Grants Scheme to station adoption groups in it region, to enable its member organisations to undertake small projects that would otherwise fall through the funding net, or to part-fund bigger ones.

Download the application form and funding criteria