“What sort of things do you award grants for?” - it’s one of the most common questions we’re asked, and a good one too!

The Air Cadet Charity exists to support the activities and opportunities that make the RAF Air Cadets such a unique youth organisation. To do this, we award grants across eight key categories:

• Aviation

• Adventure Training

• Exploiting Technology

• Immersive Training

• Education and Skills

• Employability & Development

• Health, Wellbeing & Sport

• Welfare

Grants are available for regions, wings, and squadrons - helping to ensure that every level of the organisation has access to funding that supports growth, inclusion, and opportunity.

Recent themes include:

Regions: Sports initiatives and funding for overseas expeditions remain popular requests.

Wings: Water sports and adventure training equipment, such as kayaks and mountain bikes, have been among this year’s most frequent applications.

Squadrons: From STEM projects and first aid training to IT equipment, DofE, and expeditions - squadrons have applied for funding to support an impressive range of experiences for cadets.

You can find full details about the grant categories and application process on our Grant Applications page.

Alongside our main grants, the Air Cadet Development Scheme provides bursaries for individual cadets and junior adult volunteers to pursue training, courses, and qualifications that create a clear pathway into a chosen career or profession.

Through all of these opportunities, the Air Cadet Charity continues to help every cadet and volunteer take their next step - whether that’s in aviation, adventure, or their future career.

Focusing on squadron grants, here’s some examples from this year:

2532 Milton Keynes Sqn received funding for an MTa STEM Kit. From STEM challenges to Blue Leadership sessions, plus round-robin and inter-flight competitions, the kit has been a fantastic tool for hands-on learning and team building.

Tracked monthly by the Officer Commanding, leadership badge awards have since seen a noticeable increase.

"Using the kit made leadership training fun and gave me the confidence to speak up and guide a team."
Cadet from 2532 Milton Keynes Squadron

Another grant provided a defibrillator, a 'Choking Charlie' and various other training aids to 1777 Dumbarton Sqn. 15 cadets in the Sqn have since passed the Essential First Aid course, and another 12 for completed the Bronze Youth First Aid training.

197 Devonport Sqn benefitted from three new Quest 3 VR headsets, funded by the Air Cadet Charity. They were used to complete the Bronze Space course, where cadets virtually explored the inside and outside of the International Space Centre, as well as utilising the "Keep talking, nobody explodes" leadership training software - a bomb defusal scenario which encourages communication skills and teamwork.

The Charity funded tickets for 161 1st Highland Sqn to see Major Tim Peake’s ASTRONAUTS: The Quest to Explore Space tour.  

"The Squadron met Tim after the show and cadets had chance to talk to him about flying and space. It was an extraordinary night, and this experience will help cadets to achieve their awards in RAF Air Cadets Space Syllabus. Thank you for your support, Air Cadet Charity!"
Petr Sychra, 161 1st Highland Squadron, Civilian Committee Chair

In short, there are hundreds of different ways your unit could benefit from funding! With the current grant window open until 31 January 2026, now’s the perfect time to explore what’s possible.