Teacher Development Fund

About the opportunity

The Teacher Development Fund (TDF) aims to support a more equitable school system where high-quality arts-based learning is a core part of primary education. The fund enables primary school teachers and artist practitioners to work together in equal partnerships, creating inspiring professional learning opportunities that embed arts-based approaches across the curriculum. Projects focus on helping pupils who experience systemic inequity access and make progress in their learning, while generating sustainable changes in teaching practice for the long term.

Funding and benefits

• Grant funding of up to £165,000 per application for projects lasting two academic years.
• Participation in a cohort learning programme including live events, online events, and coaching sessions.
• Formative evaluation guidance and support throughout the project duration.
• Access to a thriving community of practice supported by newsletters, events, and networking.
• Pre-application access support and bursaries of up to £750 for applicants with accessibility needs.

Who can apply?

• Lead applicant must be either a UK state-funded primary school or an arts/cultural organisation.
• Arts/cultural organisations must be charities, community organisations, social enterprises, or not-for-profit companies active in the arts and culture sector.
• Participating schools must operate in the state sector, including mainstream primary schools, specialist SEND settings, or Alternative Provision settings working with primary-age children (Nursery and Reception class teachers may be included).
• Each project partnership must include one or more arts/cultural organisations and between 6 and 10 state primary schools.
• Each participating school must commit at least two teachers and one senior leader to the project (flexibility is offered for small, rural schools).

Required documents

• Online First Stage Application Form.
• Full project proposal and outline budget (Stage 2).
• Most recent set of financial accounts (Stage 2).
• Governance documents (Stage 2).

When to apply

• First stage application deadline: Wednesday, 11 November 2026 at 12:00 noon.
• First stage decision notification: Before 10 December 2026.
• Full application deadline (for invited applicants): Wednesday, 20 January 2027 at 12:00 noon.
• Final decision notification: End of March 2027.

How to apply

• Review the FAQs, resource hub, and sample application forms on the official website.
• Submit the brief online First Stage Application Form before the 11 November 2026 deadline at 12:00 noon.
• If selected to move forward, participate in a coaching phone call with a PHF Grants Manager.
• Submit the full online application along with the project budget, recent financial accounts, and governance documents by 20 January 2027 at 12:00 noon.

Additional information

• Projects must focus on building equity in schools and must center anti-racism and intersectionality in their planning and delivery.
• Projects can incorporate a wide range of art forms (e.g., crafts, creative writing, dance, design, film, music, drama, visual arts) and apply them to any curriculum area, including literacy, humanities, STEM, or broader outcomes like mental health and wellbeing.