Grants up to £50,000 are available to public sector bodies, registered charities and other not-for-profit organisations in the UK to create catalogues of important archival collections for research and/or enjoyment.
The Archives Revealed Cataloguing Grants programme is designed to transform access to significant archive collections for a wide range of users, enabling more people to engage with the UK’s rich documentary heritage for research or enjoyment. Grants can be used to fund staffing costs to undertake the project. Owned or deposited collections can also be funded, providing they can provide a commitment from the depositor that the collection will not be withdrawn from public access or sold within 10 years of the project end date.
- The programme is particularly interested in funding archives with collections that help support its 6 key priorities, as follows:
- Audiences, engagement and improvement to access: increase the visibility and use of archive collections across varied audiences, revealing the stories and experiences of people, communities and events.
- Diversity and inclusion: be an inclusive and responsible funder that supports diversity across the archive sector.
- Funding skills and confidence: build fundraising skills and confidence through the application process.
- Impact and value of archives: highlight the value of archives in making a difference to people’s lives.
- Significance: make significant collections accessible to national and local audiences which would otherwise remain hidden, and
- Standards and approaches to cataloguing: fund projects that represent examples of excellence in cataloguing and discovery.
Please note that, while the Fund can cover the full cost of a project, a matched funding contribution – which can be in-kind or financial – is welcomed.
Applicants should also note that a minimum of 20% or up to £10,000 of the total budget must be allocated to public engagement activities with the collection.
Further information, guidance and application details are available on the National Archives website.
Applicants should email for a pre-application consultation, following which access to the online application form will be provided if the project proposal is considered eligible.