The West Midlands International Recruitment Programme Innovation Fund 2026–27 is open for proposals, with applications invited until the end of September.

The Fund provides an opportunity for voluntary, community and third-sector organisations and charities to bring forward innovative ideas that build on the learning from international recruitment and respond to workforce challenges across adult social care.

While the Fund forms part of the West Midlands International Recruitment Programme, there is flexibility around the scope of proposals. Ideas can focus on the broader adult social care workforce, provided they can also benefit or be applied to international care workers.

This could provide an opportunity to explore new approaches to areas such as workforce support, wellbeing, skills, inclusion, ethical employment and retention.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by a West Midlands local authority on behalf of the organisation proposing the project.

Voluntary, community and third-sector organisations and charities with an idea are therefore encouraged to contact their local authority to discuss their proposal and the possibility of submitting an application in partnership.

A number of submissions have already been received, but there is still time for further ideas to come forward.

Deadline: end of September 2026.

Innovation Fund application form

The Innovation Fund offers an opportunity to build on the learning and partnerships developed through international recruitment while testing ideas that could have a wider and lasting benefit for the adult social care workforce.