Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund now open for 2026 applications
10th February 2026
National Highways has opened the £1.9 million Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund for 2026, supporting charities and community groups across Thurrock, Brentwood and Havering.
The fund provides grants of up to £10,000 to organisations working to improve the lives of people living in communities close to the Lower Thames Crossing, a major new road linking Essex and Kent via a tunnel beneath the River Thames.
The Community Fund builds on the success of a pilot programme in 2023, which awarded £250,000 to 55 community and environmental projects on both sides of the river. Learning from that pilot has helped shape the design and delivery of this larger, construction-phase fund.
About the Community Fund
The Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund is delivered through National Highways’ Designated Funds programme, a national scheme designed to provide lasting benefits for communities and the environment beyond the organisation’s core role of operating and maintaining England’s motorways and A-roads.
The funding is separate from the Lower Thames Crossing core project budget, which remains subject to government approval.
Supporting communities during construction
Applications for projects north of the River Thames are being independently managed by Essex Community Foundation (ECF). Projects south of the river, including those in Medway and Gravesham, should apply via the Kent Community Foundation.
As construction of the Lower Thames Crossing begins, the fund offers local organisations an important opportunity to secure investment that will deliver lasting benefits for their communities.
Zoe Brampton, Grants Manager at Essex Community Foundation, said:
“We’re delighted to support the Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund, giving local charities and community groups the opportunity to deliver projects that make a real difference. The 2023 pilot showed how much impact targeted, local investment can have, and we’re excited to see new projects bring positive change and lasting benefits for people across Thurrock, Brentwood and Havering.”
Find out more and apply
Full details about eligibility, priority areas and how to apply are available on our Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund webpage – here.
The deadline to apply is 30 March 2026 at 5pm.
Applications must be submitted using the online application form. Organisations that experience difficulty applying online can contact the grants team to arrange an alternative submission method.
Final funding decisions will be shared with applicants in May 2026, following the panel meeting.
Organisations are encouraged to discuss their project ideas before applying. To speak with the grants team, applicants can book a call or contact ECF on 01245 355947.