Introduction

Portsmouth Hospitals Charity are pleased to launch Dragons’ Den 2026.

Once again £50,000 from the “Working Together” fund is being released to support charitable projects across the Trust.

If you have an idea that we can fund, you can apply for a Dragons' Den Grant from £1,000 to £20,000 to make this idea a reality.

Every year the charity receives generous donations to our Working Together Fund which can be used anywhere in the hospital for the benefit of patients and staff.

Dragons’ Den is our opportunity to demonstrate to our supporters’ specific projects on which their donations have been spent.

Before applying, please make sure that your project meets the below criteria:

• Does your proposal bring something new and innovative to the trust?
• What are the benefits over and above what can be supplied by the Trust?
• Is the proposal value for money?
• Do you have a quote for the item(s)/work?
• How many people (patients/staff) will benefit from this proposal?
• How can we use your proposal to feed back the benefits of the Charity to those who generously donate.

**Please be aware that although we will review estates projects for funding, delivery of these will have an extended lead time for completion**

Remember the more details you can give us the better.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 25 February 2026.

What happens next?

Once we have received all applications, the Charity team will shortlist these based on how they meet our charitable criteria in enhancing patient care, supporting staff welfare, or advancing research. Applications will then be further shortlisted by innovation, value for money and numbers benefitting. We will invite teams and individuals to talk through their ideas and get further information where required.

Final shortlisted ideas will be put forward to a face-to-face Dragons' Den panel, date TBC.

Successful applicants with be required to spend/start spending their grants within six months of approval. Successful applicants will be expected to manage their proposal through from approval to introduction with some support provided by the Charity team.