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Funding
Is this funding right for you?
- Are you applying for funding to support a heritage asset of outstanding importance in the UK?
- Have you explored all other sources of funding?
- Will the heritage asset be publicly accessible if you secure a National Heritage Memorial Fund grant?
- Are you a local authority, public sector or not-for-profit organisation?
If you have answered yes to the above questions, you may be eligible to apply.
About the Memorial Fund
The National Heritage Memorial Fund exists as a fund of last resort to support the UK’s most outstanding heritage, which is at risk of loss. It also exists to create a publicly accessible and timeless collection as a memorial for those who have given their lives for the UK.
Since 1980, we have funded acquisition, conservation and preservation that has safeguarded over 1,400 iconic buildings, land and heritage items across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
This includes:
- Sir Joshua Reynold’s Portrait of Mai (Omai), National Portrait Gallery
- The Mary, Queen of Scots Casket, National Museums Scotland
- Gwyrch Castle, Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust
- The Honresfield Library Manuscripts, Friends of the Nations’ Libraries
- Orford Ness, National Trust
- The Staffordshire Hoard, Birmingham Museum & Galleries and The Potteries Museum & Galleries
- The Flying Scotsman, National Railway Museum
Our funding
We receive grant in aid funding from central government. We use this funding to award grants to UK based organisations to safeguard heritage in perpetuity.
Find out if your project is eligible by reading our application guidance.
Our application guidance contains more information about:
- who and what we can fund
- our assessment standards
- what to expect from the application process
How to apply for a grant
You can apply for a grant whenever you’re ready.
Expression of Interest
The first step is to submit an Expression of Interest. We’ll contact you within 10 days with feedback. If we recommend a full application, we’ll release an application form for you to complete.
Read our guidance on completing an Expression of Interest.
Application
Once you submit your application we’ll check we have everything we need to make an assessment and let you know when you can expect a decision.
Read our guidance on completing an application.
Our funding portal
Use our online funding portal to submit an Expression of Interest or apply for funding. First-time users will need to create an account.
Contact NHMF-enquiries@heritagefund.org.uk for any pre-application queries.
Successful applications
If your application is successful, you’ll be sent a grant contract to fill out and return. You must also complete our Permission to Start form.
Read our guidance on receiving a grant.