Question 1

Someone called or messaged me saying I have been awarded money. Is that you?

Accepted Answer

No. You can only get a grant from us by applying yourself on this website, and we only contact you about an application you submitted. We never phone, text or email people out of the blue to announce money, and we never ask for a fee, gift card or banking password. Treat any such contact as fraud and report it.

Question 2

Does submitting the form mean I will get a grant?

Accepted Answer

No. The form opens an application. An assessment officer reviews it against the published eligibility criteria and emails you the outcome. Funding is limited, so some eligible applications are declined.

Question 3

Will I be charged anything?

Accepted Answer

Never. There is no application fee, processing charge, insurance charge or tax payable to us, and nothing is deducted from an award. Anyone asking you for money to release a grant is not acting for us.

Question 4

How quickly will I hear back?

Accepted Answer

You receive an automated confirmation email with your reference code immediately. Eligibility screening usually takes 5 to 10 business days, and a full assessment 4 to 6 weeks from the point your application is complete.

Question 5

Which countries can apply?

Accepted Answer

Lawful residents of the United States, Canada and Australia. Regional payment and tax details are set out on the regions page.

Question 6

Who funds the individual grants?

Accepted Answer

Universal Grant Income funds the individual grant programme. Northbridge Awards International administers it: we take the applications, assess them against the fund's published criteria, and the funder disburses approved awards.

Question 7

Do I have to repay a grant?

Accepted Answer

No. Grants funded by Universal Grant Income are non-repayable — there is no interest, no repayment schedule and no credit check. For larger awards we may ask for a receipt confirming the funds were used as described.

Question 8

What can an individual grant be used for?

Accepted Answer

A specific, evidenced cost: housing arrears or essential repairs, education and training fees, out-of-pocket care and health costs, or the licences, insurance and tools needed to start self-employment. Grants are not a general income top-up.

Question 9

Is there a fee to apply for a grant?

Accepted Answer

Never. There is no application fee, assessment fee, insurance charge or tax deposit. Anyone asking you to pay to release a grant in our name or Universal Grant Income's name is committing fraud.

Question 10

Is a grant a loan?

Accepted Answer

No. A grant is not a loan and not credit of any kind. Nothing is lent to you, no interest accrues, there is no repayment schedule, no credit check is carried out, and an award does not appear on your credit file.

Question 11

How is my information used?

Accepted Answer

We use what you submit only to assess your application, contact you about it, and keep the audit records the funder requires. We do not sell your data or use it for advertising. Documents are collected through a secure link, the site runs only over an encrypted HTTPS connection, and you can ask us to delete your data at any time subject to legal record-keeping duties. The privacy policy sets out the full detail.

Question 12

What documents will I need to send?

Accepted Answer

Typically proof of identity, proof of address dated within three months, evidence of the cost itself such as an invoice or arrears notice, and evidence of need such as an income statement. You send nothing up front — only when an officer asks, and only through a secure link from our own domain. The eligibility page lists each document in full.

Question 13

How are approved funds paid out?

Accepted Answer

By direct deposit to an account in your own legal name, or straight to a supplier where the grant is tied to a specific invoice. A posted cheque is available on request. Payment is issued 5-10 working days after you accept a written award, and nothing is deducted from the amount awarded.

Question 14

Do I have to pay tax on a grant?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your country, what the money is for and your wider circumstances — some grants are exempt, others are reportable income. We are not tax advisers, so please speak to a qualified tax professional or your national revenue authority. We will give you written confirmation of the amount and date paid so your adviser has what they need.

Question 15

How long does a decision take, and can I track it?

Accepted Answer

Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks of being complete. Every submission gets a reference code by email that you can enter on the status page, together with the email address you applied with, to see the current stage.

Question 16

I did not get the confirmation email.

Accepted Answer

Check your spam or promotions folder first, since automated mail is often filtered. If it is not there after an hour, contact the assessment team and we will confirm whether your application arrived.

Question 17

What data do you keep, and for how long?

Accepted Answer

Only what you submit on the application form and any documents you send, kept for as long as needed to assess and audit the programme. You can ask us to delete it at any point, subject to legal record-keeping duties.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions