The BBC has announced that the next funding round of the BBC Children in Need is now open for applications.

BBC Children in Need provides grants for up to three years to properly constituted not for profit organisations working with disadvantaged young people aged 18 or under . Funding is available to organisations, (including schools) that work with young people who are suffering from:

• Illness
• Distress
• Abuse or neglect
• Are disabled
• Have behavioural or psychological difficulties
• Are living in poverty or situations of deprivation.

Last year the programme made grants of £33 million to over 1,500 organisations. The next closing date will be the 15th January 2010, with grant decisions and notifications in late April 2010. For more information visit: www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants/general_grants.shtml