Customer and Community Improvement Fund 2026/27
GWR are delighted to announce we are inviting bids to our Customer and Community Improvement Fund for the financial year 2026/27.
The fund will open to bids on Monday 5 January at 12:00 and close to bids on Monday 2 February at 12:00.
Our Customer and Community Improvement Fund is designed to support small and medium rail related projects that can be completed over the course of the 2026/27 financial year. Our maximum bid amount is £25,000 and we welcome a wide range of applications, particularly from organisations who haven't worked with us previously or who propose innovative projects.
We are particularly interested in schemes that benefit customers, increase rail travel, encourage carbon reduction, connect communities, people, and places, support economic growth, promote inclusion and diversity, and educational programmes that support careers in rail.
A good bid will show a strong level of community involvement and support, and the proposal will have benefits that last beyond the duration of the project.
Important information for bids
Bids must be related to the railway and proposals which don't relate in some way to customers (or potential customers), stations, railway property, rail services, rail education or careers in rail will not be considered.
Bids which involve installations at stations (for example, murals, artwork, signage, wayfinding, platform furniture etc.) will require consultation with GWR before bid submission. Please contact us at community.fund@gwr.com to discuss further.
Please see more information, including bid criteria and eligibility, in our fund guidance below:
When the fund is open you can submit your application through our online portal:
We will also be accepting submissions in video or audio format. If you would like to apply in video or audio format, or have any questions, please email us at community.fund@gwr.com