The way you submit fund authorisation applications and notifications to the fund authorisations team is changing. Find out more about what is changing and how to prepare.
Why we are making these changes
Firms currently submit fund authorisation applications and notifications to us by email. Over the next 2-3 years we will gradually move from an email-based system to fully digital forms that you submit online using Connect[1].
These changes will modernise the way we collect and manage information, starting with fund authorisations and provide a more efficient experience for firms.
These changes are designed to:
- Improve data quality, regulatory oversight and governance.
- Give more clarity and certainty about our expectations and decision-making.
- Help reduce the need for follow up questions and shorten the time required for us to take a decision.
This will be done incrementally to allow firms to adapt to the new processes and will allow us to take into account the feedback we receive. Submission of authorised fund application forms will change first, followed by selected forms used by alternative investment fund managers.
We have already used feedback on the current application and notification processes to help shape the new service.
We are not expecting to significantly change content requirements for these applications and notifications at this stage.
Who this applies to
- Firms submitting fund applications or notifications to the FCA.
- Authorised and recognised funds that need to file scheme documents.
- Third parties, such as legal advisers or compliance consultants, who submit information on behalf of firms.
Upcoming changes
Changes in 2026
Forms
From 2 November 2026 we will start asking firms to submit certain applications and notifications using our Connect system.
In this first phase of changes you will need to complete the existing forms, then submit these, and your supporting documents, via Connect[1] rather than sending them to us by email.
Read more below about what you need to do now to prepare[2] for these changes.
This will apply to the following forms:
- New scheme authorisation forms:
- Form 12
- Form 242
- Form 261C
- Amend or wind up an authorised fund:
- Form 21
- Form 251
- Form 261Q
- Form 283A
- Form 9
- UCITS feeder form
- Final notifications:
- Form FN
After 2 November 2026, we will no longer accept these applications via any other submission method.
We will shortly be publishing an additional user guide so that you can see how the new Connect application process will work and the information we will be asking for.
Receipt of scheme document filings
During December 2026, we also plan to move receipt of scheme document filings for authorised and recognised funds to this online system.
Once released, we will no longer accept document filings submitted via email.
We will publish more information on this in the coming weeks.
Changes in 2027 and beyond
In early 2027, we will start asking firms to submit certain Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) applications and notifications using our Connect system.
You will need to complete the existing forms, then submit these and your supporting documents, via Connect[2] rather than sending them to us by email.
We will continue to provide updates on progress and inform firms when the new digital forms become available. For all other fund authorisations forms that have not yet been updated, applications must continue to be submitted via the existing process.
What you need to do now
You should continue to submit applications and notifications dealt with by the Fund Authorisations Team using the current process.
You should prepare for the upcoming changes now by checking that the people who will make fund applications or notifications have access to Connect.
To help you prepare:
- Read our our Connect user guide for fund authorisations (PDF)[2] for step-by-step instructions on how to do this under the Connect User Management section.
- Read more about Connect[4], including information on how to sign in via My FCA and steps for how to register for Connect.
If a third party submits applications or notifications for your firm, make sure they have the appropriate delegated access in Connect.
How to contact us
If you have any questions about these changes, you can contact us[1].
You can also email [email protected].
