Sport Northern Ireland has made its Awards for Sport Programme initiative open to applications.

The small grants programme aims to increase participation in sport and physical recreation, especially among under-represented groups, and is open to sports clubs, governing bodies of sport and voluntary or charity organisations.

The grants range from £1,000 to £10,000 and are intended to cover expenses such as coaching fees, coach education, facility hire, fees for project-related courses and the purchase of equipment. Applications must be submitted no later than 12noon on 26 September 2011.