TRU Community Fund

Calling local community groups, schools and charities to help shape the future of our spaces and places along the Transpennine route...

Billions of pounds are being invested to transform train travel across the Pennines, as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU). While we work to deliver major railway upgrades across the 70-mile stretch between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, we’re committed to investing back into the fantastic communities we’re working in.

That’s why we’ve created the TRU Community Fund. We’re offering local community groups, schools and charities the opportunity to apply for funding to improve local spaces and places across the Transpennine route.

 

TRU Community Fund 2026

The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is launching the third annual round of its Community Fund, with £270,000 available this year to support projects that make a lasting difference in local communities.

Grants of £5,000 are available, but applicants can request an uplift to £10,000 where they can demonstrate that the additional funding would significantly increase the impact of their project.

 

Who can apply?

Community groups, schools and charities within five kilometres of the Transpennine route or the Shipley TrainCare Centre, a key TRU worksite, can apply for funding.

Successful projects should improve community spaces, create skills and employment opportunities, and support disadvantaged, under-represented or marginalised groups.

Applications from communities across the route between Manchester and York are encouraged. During the assessment process, additional consideration will be given to projects in communities most impacted by TRU construction activity.

An interactive map showing the eligible five-kilometre funding area and the areas most impacted by construction activity is available to view here.

 

How to apply

Applications will open on Monday 28 September and close on Friday 9 October.

Applicants should follow these steps:

  • Create an account in advance: Organisations will first need to create an account with Neighbourly, who are administering the funding on behalf of TRU. Creating an account is free, takes around 5 minutes and means organisations will be notified when the application window opens. Creating an account can be done via this link.
  • Submit your application: Once applications open on 28 September, organisations can apply through the TRU Community Fund application page on the Neighbourly website here

 

Important information

  • Apply early to avoid disappointment: Demand for the fund is expected to be high and may result in the application window closing early. Eligible organisations are encouraged to prepare their application in advance and submit it as soon as possible. Application questions can be viewed here now before the fund opens on the application page.
  • Need help? For more information about the fund, please refer to our FAQs. If you have any questions about the application process, contact Neighbourly at community@neighbourly.com.
  • Optional online briefing session: TRU will host an online briefing event on Monday 21 September from 4:00pm-5:30pm to explain the application process and eligibility criteria. If you would like to attend, please click here: TRU Community Fund Online Briefing

 

Previous TRU Community Fund Grants

Click here to view some of the TRU Community Fund success stories from previous years.

 

TRU Sustainable Development Strategy

The TRU Community Fund aligns with key objectives of our TRU Sustainable Development Strategy, ‘Our Guiding Compass’.

Our Fund enables TRU to be a catalyst for regeneration, by enhancing and protecting community spaces and places along the Transpennine route.