Grant
In general terms, the word ‘grant’ refers to allowing permission for someone to do something.
It can also refer to money given to a person or organisation by a body such as the government for a specific purpose.
Functional Standards Common Glossary, published by the Cabinet Office, states: ‘Grant schemes are created to deliver a specific policy area, generally providing for a number of individual awards that sit within the scheme.’
‘A grant award is made to meet one of the objectives of the grant scheme. Grant awards can be made to organisations, registered and unregistered entities and individuals.’
And a grant agreement is: ‘an agreement that provides a legal framework and sets out details of the grant including what the funding is to be used for, what expenditure is expressly eligible and ineligible, together with details of the payment model, performance and monitoring regime, termination and clawback provision, and financial reconciliation.’
The glossary of statistical terms, published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), defines grants as: ‘…transfers made in cash, goods or services for which no repayment is required.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Bridging loan.
- Collateral.
- Construction loan.
- Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.
- Derogation from grant.
- Funding.
- General grant.
- Green Homes Grant.
- Grant-in-aid.
- Mezzanine finance.
- Mortgage.
- PF2.
- Private Finance Initiative.
- Project-based funding.
- Property development finance.
- Uncompeted grant.
- Water Environment Grant.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.