National Highways

National Highways, a government-owned company established in April 2015 to manage England’s 4,500-mile Strategic Road Network (SRN) of motorways and major A-roads, operates as an arm’s-length body under the Department for Transport. Its mission is to deliver safer, smoother, and more resilient journeys while prioritizing safety (zero harm aspiration), environmental leadership (decarbonization, biodiversity, noise reduction), equality, diversity, community well-being, and innovation. Distinctively, it blends large-scale infrastructure with social value through Designated Funds targeting Safety, Environment, Customer and Communities, and Innovation and Research, including project-linked schemes like the A428 Social Value Fund (£1.7m) and Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund.

It funds capital projects and legacy initiatives for not-for-profits, supporting road safety education, environmental enhancements (e.g., green spaces, trees), cycling/walking infrastructure, STEM skills/employment training, community health/well-being, and equality programs—always requiring measurable local impact tied to SRN projects in affected areas.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, CICs, and community groups based in specific SRN-impacted zones like Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and the Lower Thames region; small to medium-sized local organizations are preferred, with no strict income limits. Applications start with an Expression of Interest (EOI) during open windows, progressing to full proposals via online forms or foundation partners; capital costs dominate, with minor revenue if project-linked.

Typical grants range from £10,000 to £200,000 (often £10k-£50k for community projects), excluding core running costs or unrestricted support. The next EOI deadline is 15 January 2026 for the A428 Fund (delivery by March 2027). Uniquely, funding demands enduring public benefit aligned to highways' statutory goals, differentiating it via transport-social integration and challenge-led calls.