Help and FAQs
We have gathered all the essential information you need if you are applying for a Propel Long-Term Grant. We will update this document regularly with new questions as they arise.
We will host a webinar outlining some of the key messages from the guidance, and detailing how to apply during Stage Two.
Overview
Q: What is a Propel Long-Term Grant?
The Propel Long-Term Grant is an opportunity to apply for up to seven years of continuous, flexible funding.
Q: What’s the deadline?
This will depend on the cohort you have been invited to apply in and that information is part of your notification email.
Q. What is the timeline?
There was a two-stage application process for Propel Long-Term Grants. Following successful Expressions of Interest, 39 organisations have been invited to apply to Stage Two.
Q: How do I apply for a Propel Long-Term Grant?
You can make your Stage Two application at www.londonpropel.org.uk. Please note, Stage Two is only open to organisations who have been invited following a successful EOI.
At this site, you can log into your account, update the information about your organisation, and start answering application questions, pausing , and coming back when you need to.
At Stage Two, you have to answer eight questions and complete a budget template, providing more detail than was asked for at the EOI stage.
Q: If I’m successful, will my funder remain the same?
Not necessarily. Propel is a funder collaboration, so your funder and grant manager may change.
Q: Why are there different cohorts to apply?
Propel funded organisations of different lengths, who all start and finish their projects at different times. Some of you finish in December 2025, others may run through until autumn 2026 and beyond. We’ve created three separate cohorts on the portal, grouping you depending on your grant end date. This makes it a little easier to manage on our portal and you can check your cohort here.
- Cohort 1: Grants ending before 31st March 2026
- Cohort 2: Grants ending between 1st April – 31st August 2026
- Cohort 3: Grants ending after 1st September 2026
At this stage, each Cohort will have a different deadline, but all will be assessed in the same way, and have the same chances of being awarded funding.
Q: Why do long-term grants mean fewer grants distributed overall?
Propel has always had systemic change at its core. We know that in order to create change, this work takes time, capacity, and an iterative approach, which is why we’re focused on funding over the long term. Propel continues to work towards its ambition of £100 million of funding over ten years and is offering all organisations the opportunity to express their interest in applying for a long term grant. We also know that long term work requires significant investment, to continue paying salaries, cover core costs, develop partnerships, and build capacity, alongside working with your communities.
We’ve been asked why we can’t fund all organisations for a lesser amount, but smaller grants would not be sufficient to enable organisations work systemically. Propel has always set out to do funding differently, and these longer-term, larger grants aim to recognise and cover the significant resource it takes to create systemic change.
Eligibility
Q: How many organisations will you fund?
39 organisations have been invited to Stage Two. We expect a success rate of at least 80%.
Q: Can I apply as part of a partnership or consortium?
Yes. However, there needs to be a lead organisation and at this stage we will ask for a written partnership agreement, such as a Memorandum of Understanding. We will consider these situations on a case-by-case basis, assessing how likely there is to be stability in that arrangement for the long-term, one of Propel’s principles.
Q: Can I apply for less than 7 years?
The intention of Propel is to support long-term funding and we expect that most grants will be for seven years. As this is a long-term grant offer, we strongly encourage applications that reflect sustained work over multiple years; shorter-term programmes will be considered only in exceptional cases and where a shorter duration is clearly justified.
Q: What do you mean by “systems change”?
Systems change means understanding and tackling the root causes of issues facing our capital, not just dealing with their consequences. It’s about addressing the inbuilt inequalities which privilege some groups in society and disadvantage others, rather than just the symptoms.
An example of systems change would be enabling organisations to identify the root causes of issues such as poverty, and to create strategies, including advocacy, to change the societal structures which keep the most marginalised communities in poverty.
There is no “one size fits all” approach to systems change, there’s many ways we can think about systems change. You can find more resources about systems change here.Y ou will also receive an invitation to be part of a workshop to help you think more deeply about your systems change journey.
Finance
Q: How much can I apply for?
The amount you can apply for will only be different from your EOI if we have specifically communicated this to you at your invitation to Stage Two. Otherwise, this should not exceed the amount you put on your EOI form.
Q: What do you mean by core costs?
Propel Long-term grants have been designed to provide flexible funding for organisations for up to seven years. Funding can be spent across both core and programme funding as you can see in the guidance.
Q: Is there a maximum amount I can spend on core or programme costs?
No. We trust that you will apply for what you need. At this stage we are asking for a detailed budget, where we will assess how your budget supports you to meet your systems change goals.
Q: Should we include costs for evaluation?
Yes, and also dissemination of your learnings during this process. Consider how the learning you gain throughout the Propel process could contribute to systems change.
Q: Should we include costs for learning?
Yes. Funders are committed to ensuring that learning is resourced as part of this work. For example, you might factor in up to a day a month to focus on internal activity, e.g. Board reports, and external activity, e.g. funder reports, reporting.
Please include time to participate in the Learning Network, which will include around three days per year to come together collectively and learn as a community.
Q: Is there a fixed amount expected in the budget for any category?
No.
The application process
Q: If some of the information on our supporting documents has changed, how do we tell you?
You can update the following documents through the portal:
- Governing document
- Most recent signed annual accounts
- Safeguarding Policy
- Partnership agreement
Remember, it is your responsibility to keep documents up to date. Funders will review them as part of the assessment process.
Q: Is there a word count?
For the application questions, we recommend answers between 600-800 words for each question, but don’t worry if you go a little over or under. This isn’t a test, so don’t panic about trying to get your answers exact.
Q: What level of detail are you expecting in my answers?
We know it is difficult to predict what will happen in the future, so we’re not expecting you to know everything. Each Stage Two question has supporting text guiding you towards the information we’re looking for.
Q: Can I get the guidance and application forms in a different format?
If you need any of the documents in a different format (large print, audio, or easy read) please get in touch with info@londonpropel.org.uk.
You can download Word copies of all the forms in advance so that you can see what we will be asking from you before you start. You can also use the Word documents to draft your answers before you upload them.
Q: Will you accept applications made by AI?
You can use AI tools to help write your funding application. We will not reject an application just because AI was used. AI tools can support you if English is not your first language or if you are new to writing funding applications. Many of our funded partners find that using AI helps them draft their applications more quickly and with less effort. However, AI should be used with caution. While it can provide a useful starting point, the content it generates is not always as strong as it may seem. AI supported applications do not tell the unique story of your community and how you want to support them. Applications that are too generic may be at a disadvantage and funded organisations are responsible for checking the accuracy of information they share in their application.
Q: Can we adjust our plans in the future after the grant is awarded?
Yes. We understand that there is a lot of uncertainty in knowing what will happen in the future and we trust that you are capable of identifying the changes that need to be made. You will have the flexibility to make adjustments and work with your funder on how to make them.
Q: What support is available at Stage Two?
We will host and record a webinar for applicants invited to Stage Two, which will hopefully answer all of your questions. Additionally, we will update this document regularly with new questions that might come.
If your questions are about the Portal, or you have a technical query around submitting you can contact Propel by email.
The Propel Portal
Q: We’re halfway through making an application – if we save it, how do we access it again?
When you save your application, you are emailed a link which you will need to save in order to access your application again.
Q: We’re struggling with the Portal – can we talk to someone?
Yes, you can email us at info@londonpropel.org.uk and send a screenshot to help us understand what’s gone wrong or you can call 020 7255 4488 or 07307468162.
Q: We can’t upload all of the documents required at the end of the application form. What should we do?
If there is a technical issue with uploading documents, please contact info@londonpropel.org.uk and we’ll help you.
Q: We’ve completed our application – if we submit, will we get a copy of the final application?
Yes, you’ll receive an immediate email confirming submission, and a pdf of your application. Don’t forget to check your junk folder!
Q: We’ve completed our application, but it won’t let us submit – help!
Sometimes the website gets very busy on deadline days. Try to submit your application with enough time to allow for any issues. If you still can’t submit your application, get in touch with us at info@londonpropel.org.uk.
Q: We’d like to give you some feedback on the application process, how do we do that?
In the email confirming that your application has been submitted, there will be a link to a feedback survey where you can let us know what we can improve.
I’ve submitted my application, now what?
Q: Can I change my application once I have submitted it?
No. Please make sure you’re happy with your application before pressing ‘submit’.
Q: Who will see my application?
Applications will be available to view by funders and equity infrastructure organisations collaborating on Propel. The Propel Privacy Policy is available on our website.
Q: How will my application be assessed?
Stage Two applications will be assessed collaboratively by the funders and equity partners involved in Propel.
Q: How will decisions be made?
Organisations that are led by and for the communities they serve, and have a clear systems change goal and a plan to work towards this change will be prioritised for funding.
Q: Who will make decisions on applications?
The final decisions will be made by a collective panel made up of funders, equity partners and other civil society organisations to ensure there are different perspectives and voices.
Q: When will decisions be made?
Applicants will be notified about the outcome of their application depending on the cohort they are applying in.
Q: What is the likelihood of being offered a Long-Term Grant?
We are expecting to have a success rate close to 80% at Stage Two.
Q: Will I be able to apply again in a future Propel grant if my application is unsuccessful?
No. Propel is a ten year funding programme, once our Long-term grants are announced, we won’t have any additional funding to commit to Propel.
Q: Will we go through a Due diligence process again as part of this application?
At this stage, funders may need to review due diligence relating to your organisation, governance, safeguarding and financial information. This might vary depending on how recently your organisation was assessed for Propel funding, any changes there have been within your organisation or its policies, if the lead organisation for your Propel funded work has changed, or if the funder considering you for a Long-term grant is different than the funder(s) who funded you before.
We aim however to keep this to a minimum and your current funder will share as much information as they can to minimise and hopefully eliminate any duplication of questions you have been asked before.
Q: Will we have to prepare any additional information?
You might expect follow-up communication via email or phone, and/or a potential visit to your organisation. These interactions will help us clarify or expand our understanding of your work, as well as explore areas such as governance, financial management, safeguarding, and other core practices. Where possible, we ask that relevant senior staff, programme leads, and those with financial oversight be available during this process to help ensure this part of the process is meaningful, thorough, and reflective of your organisation’s strengths and ways of working.