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The County Grants Fund 2026 is now open in Dorset!
What is the ECB County Grants Fund?
The County Grants Fund aims to support ECB affiliated Cricket Clubs, which are actively engaged with women’s cricket, girls’ cricket and/or disability cricket, to create welcoming environments or to provide enhanced playing or changing facilities, in an effort to increase the number of women’s, girls’ and disability cricket teams, and to achieve the game’s vision to become the most inclusive team sport (Inspiring Generations 2025 – 2028). Eligible Clubs can apply for between £1k (minimum) and £15k (maximum) per application, or for larger scale Enhanced Changing Facilities (projects over £30,000), grants up to £50k will be available.
What are the 3 Funding Categories Available to Eligible Clubs?
Creating Welcoming Environments
Providing Enhanced Facilities
Enhanced Changing Facilities
PLEASE NOTE: The Tackling Climate Change category that was part of previous County Grant Funds has been removed by the ECB. It is expected that they will launch a new separate grant in 2026 to incorporate sustainability projects.
Who can apply?
The scheme is open to all ECB affiliated cricket clubs in England and Wales that deliver cricket to one or more of the following target groups:
When assessing submitted applications, Dorset Cricket will give priority to applications from clubs with a Women's and Girls section that specifically benefits that section.
How to Apply for County Grant Funding
Before you begin, we recommend that you read the County Grant Guidance for 2026 (below) and read the Creating an Application (below) guidance documents. If you do have a project you believe is eligible, please Message Greg Parsons before you visit the ECB IMS to submit your project expression of interest.
Project Expression of Interest Submission 1st Phase - After a club has discussed their project with Greg Parsons, they will then need to submit a project expression of interest on the ECB Investment Management System by Sunday 29th March 2026. The expression of interest submission provides the basic details of the proposed project.
Club Development Plan Submission - Once the EOI has been submitted on the ECB IMS, the club will then need to send their Club Development Plan to Greg Parsons.
Project Decisions and Communications - The Dorset Cricket Funding & Support Committee will meet the week commencing 30th March 2026 to review the expression of interests and development plans, before making decision on which projects to support and for what amounts. Project support details will be communicated to the clubs the week commencing 6th April 2026.
Full Application Submission - Once a club has been informed of the grant support they are being offered, and have decided to proceed with the project, then they must complete the project full application on the ECB IMS, which includes more detailed information and evidence to support the application.
ECB Grant Offer - Once the full application has been approved by both Dorset and the ECB, the ECB will then offer a grant contract to the club. Once this has been agreed then the club can start their project. Please be aware that work or spend prior to this point is not allowed and will not be eligible to be claimed back.
If there are still funds available after this 1st phase of grant allocations, then a 2nd phase of grant applications will be opened. If a 2nd phase is opened then this will be communicated to the clubs along with the timelines.
The ECB Investment Management System can be accessed by CLICKING HERE
Extra Facilities Documents Useful for Clubs:
We will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.