Rapid Impact Fund

Rapid impact fund 12 is now closed. It offered funding of £5,000 to mainstream secondary schools and colleges across England for projects that tackle or prevent non-attendance.


Between 2021 and 2025, ten Rapid Impact Fund rounds have helped over 26,000 autistic students in more than 600 schools and colleges. After funding, 98% of schools reported positive impact within just five months. Read more here.

How to apply

We know schools and colleges are busy, so we’ve designed a straightforward application process. When a round opens for applications:

  1. Tell us your idea. Complete a quick and simple application form which includes several short-answer questions.
  2. If successful:
  • Sign our terms and conditions document
  • Send us your bank details.

More information on the application process is on this page.

Important notes

  • We do not fund provision that should be ordinarily available to students with SEND.
  • In 2026 we will not fund projects that seek to develop or equip indoor safe or sensory spaces. We are currently working with schools/colleges and our academic partner, the Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER) at the University of Birmingham, to understand how safe/sensory spaces impact outcomes. Funding for similar activities is temporarily on hold until findings are shared.

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See our Funding FAQs for further information.