Power and Accountability
The Power and Accountability grant from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust funds research and initiatives advancing transparency and accountability in powerful institutions to promote a fairer society.
Funder: Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Due Dates: February 16, 2026 (Account registration, Round one) | March 2, 2026 (Full application, Round one) | July 13, 2026 (Expression of interest, September round) | August 19, 2026 (Account registration, Round two) | September 2, 2026 (Full application, Round two)
Funding Amounts: Typical grants range from £30,000–£150,000 over 1–3 years; total programme budget is £2.6 million in 2026.
Summary: Supports initiatives that increase transparency and accountability among corporations, governments, and media to promote a more equitable distribution of power.
Key Information: Expression of interest required for new applicants for the September 2026 round.
Description
The Power and Accountability programme, offered by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, funds work that addresses the shifting dynamics of power in society. The programme aims to support efforts that scrutinise and hold to account powerful institutions—such as corporations, governments, and media—that perpetuate inequality, injustice, or abuses of power. With a focus on fostering a world where power is more equitably shared, the programme encourages projects that promote greater transparency, accountability, and democratic values, particularly in the context of globalisation, technological advancement (including artificial intelligence), and extreme inequality.
