Improvement Fund
The Improvement Fund is part of the Scottish Government’s National Drugs Mission Funds, administered by the Corra Foundation. The Improvement Fund was created to support drug service resources, with a particular focus on supporting organisations which deliver residential rehabilitation and associated services. This fund aims to support projects which provide fast and appropriate access to treatment and care, and that support people by taking a rights-based and whole family approach.
The Scottish Government is committed to the sustainability of projects, as such, the Improvement Fund was only open to existing grantholders that had previously been funded through the Improvement Fund, and have a grant ending on or before 31st March 2026. These projects will be delivering services including pathways, harm reduction support, additional capacity, workforce development, and/or support for family members, who often play a vital role in recovery.
Corra Foundation encourages applications from organisations supporting Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities and other under-represented groups.
Please read the Criteria and FAQ document for further guidance on what can be funded.
Applications for continuation funding only will be welcomed in 2025. However, continuation funding can only be provided until October 2026 so project budgets may need to be adjusted to fit this timescale. It may not always be possible to satisfy the demand for funding, and this may result in some awards being agreed for a reduced amount. This will only be done after a conversation with the applicant.
The closing date for applications will be 1pm on Wednesday 3rd September 2025. Applications received after this will not be considered.
The Improvement Fund is delivered by Corra Foundation on behalf of the Scottish Government. If you’d like any further information about this fund, please contact wellbeingteam@corra.scot.
Round 1
Residential Rehabilitation and associated services
Non-Residential Rehabilitation Awards
19
Applications received
16
Grants made
£6.3m
Distributed in funding
84%
Success rate
46
Applications received
37
Grants made
£11.2m
Distributed in funding
80%
Success rate
Round 2
Residential Rehabilitation and associated services
Non-Residential Rehabilitation Awards
17
Applications received
11
Grants made
£4.2m
Distributed in funding
65%
Success rate
31
Applications received
26
Grants made
£6.2m
Distributed in funding
84%
Success rate
Which organisations received funding?
View the organisations who received funding. We also upload our grant holder data to 360 Giving.
Decision making process
Application is assessed by a Corra Grants Advisor. They may be in contact to ask follow-up questions. Applications that do not meet the basic eligibility criteria will be unsuccessful and not progress further.
Your application is then peer reviewed by additional members of Corra’s wellbeing team.
Next, your application is reviewed by a panel made up of people with Lived Experience of using drugs and alcohol including people affected by their family’s substance use. Their input is gathered and recorded.
Your application is then reviewed by an Advisory Group which includes professionals working in drugs support services, academic institutions and nationally commissioned organisations.Â
Corra compiles all the assessment input and presents this to the Scottish Government who make the final decisions on which organisations to fund.Â
When are decisions announced?
We expect to let all applicants to the Improvement Fund know the outcome of their application by April 2024.
Can I get feedback if my application is unsuccessful?
We offer feedback to all applicants. If you request it, will arrange a call to provide feedback on your application.
What are the reporting requirements for successful applicants?
You will be asked to report annually. If you receive funding with a grant period of more than one year, grant payments will be made annually and future payments will be dependent on satisfactory reporting each year and on the Scottish Government having funds available at that time.
We will also share information (like progress reports) about your project with your local Alcohol and Drugs Partnership. There is also an initial three-month report in the first year of any grant. Reporting templates will be provided.
About the National Drugs Mission Funds
The number of drug-related deaths in Scotland is too high. These deaths are tragic and avoidable and reducing them is a priority for all of us.
In 2021, the Scottish Government launched the National Drugs Mission Funds to improve lives, backed by significant additional resources, details of which are available here. Corra Foundation is administering funding to support the National Drugs Mission on behalf of The Scottish Government. The funding streams include the Local Support Fund, Local Support Fund Micro Grants, Improvement Fund, and Children and Families Fund.
Full details of each of the funds is available below.
Read the latest progress report for the National Drugs Mission Funds here, published in September 2024.
Grantholders of the National Drugs Mission Funds not only receive funding but also benefit from the support of a dedicated Corra Grant Advisor and participation in regular Learning Network events organised by Corra.
If you would like to discuss any of the funds, please contact wellbeingteam@corra.scot.
