£3m SHAPE Challenge Fund now open for applications
The £3 million SHAPE Challenge Fund is now open for applications, inviting local partnerships across the UK to turn evidence on housing and ageing into practical action.
The Fund forms part of the five-year Suitable Housing for an Ageing Population Evidence Exchange (SHAPE), funded by the Vivensa Foundation and delivered by the Housing LIN.
Successful applicants will become SHAPE sites, working with the wider programme to implement evidence-informed approaches, understand what helps change happen in practice and share learning across the UK.
Funding of up to £1 million per SHAPE site is available over a maximum of three years.
What is the Challenge Fund looking for?
The Fund is looking for ambitious, place-based partnerships that want to improve homes and communities and help people live well as they age.
The emphasis is on practical implementation and long-term system change, rather than further research or isolated pilot projects.
Proposals should bring together relevant local partners across housing, health and social care, local government and communities, with older people and people with lived experience involved in co-producing and delivering the work.
The Fund is primarily intended to support revenue activity. Limited capital costs may be eligible where they directly enable delivery of the proposed project or activity, and no other source of funding is available.
Application deadline: 5pm on Friday 12 March 2027
Missed the launch?
The Challenge Fund was launched at a special SHAPE HAPPI Hour, which set out the ambition behind the programme and explained what we are looking for from potential SHAPE sites.
The webinar also covered the eligibility criteria, application process, key dates and delivery arrangements.
If you were unable to join us live, you can now watch the recording:
Apply now
If your local partnership is ready to turn evidence on housing and ageing into practical action, we want to hear from you.
The SHAPE Challenge Fund is administered by the Vivensa Foundation, where you can find the full funding guidance, eligibility information and details of how to apply.
Find out more about the SHAPE Challenge Fund and apply via the Vivensa Foundation.