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The National Archives (Spaces, Places and Belonging Community Hub, with Leeds Museums & Galleries, the National Library…

Community Hub Project Grants

Project Grants of up to £30,000 fund collaborative community heritage projects between at least one gallery, library, archive, museum or heritage organisation and at least one community group, anywhere in the UK. Projects should be co-designed and community-led, recording or sharing histories, cultures or stories and exploring space, place and belonging, with a focus on inclusion, sustainability and impact. The second and final 2026 round opened on 1 September 2026 and closes at 12pm on 16 November 2026, with the panel in January 2027; projects must be finished and spent by December 2027. All applicants, successful or not, get access to a skills and training programme.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £30,000
Deadline
29 days left
16 November
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Partnerships of at least one GLAM (gallery, library, archive or museum) or heritage organisation and at least one community group, working collaboratively; the partnership can be existing or new
  • A community group is defined as an organised group of people who come together to address a common need, interest or experience within a geographical area or community of interest, for the benefit of the public
  • Applicants must be involved with or linked to the GLAM and/or heritage sectors, be based in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) and have a UK bank account
  • One partner acts as nominal lead and receives the funds; higher education institutions and independent research organisations cannot lead
  • Organisations that have already held a Community Hub Project Grant cannot apply again; unsuccessful applicants may reapply after talking to the Community Hub team
  • A previous Seed Corn grant is not required
  • The Hub may balance its final portfolio by geography, type of organisation and theme

What it funds

Substantial collaborative community heritage projects that support in-depth research, skills development and the creation of lasting resources reflecting diverse voices and experiences. Projects should record or share histories, cultures or stories, explore senses of space, place or belonging, and shift the focus from national histories to more localised narratives; they may build on an earlier Seed Corn project or start fresh. Eligible costs include:

  • Staff time or freelance fees for delivery
  • Community engagement and co-design activities
  • Training and skills development for participants
  • Travel and subsistence for participants
  • Materials, equipment or venue hire
  • Digital tools, platforms or content creation
  • Evaluation and dissemination
  • Translation or accessibility services
  • General organisational overheads or core running costs

Projects are expected to last no more than a year and must be completed, with all money spent, by December 2027; start dates should be after the relevant panel meeting.

Grants are paid upfront once the grant agreement is signed.

What it will not fund

  • Retrospective costs (activities completed before the grant is awarded)
  • Subsidies to create products intended to be sold
  • Activity intended to influence Parliament, Government or political parties, the awarding or renewal of contracts and grants, or legislative or regulatory action
  • Applications led by higher education institutions or independent research organisations (they can be partners)
  • Organisations that have already received a Community Hub Project Grant

How to apply

  1. Read the About this Grant, How to Apply and Assessment Criteria pages (a recording of the March 2026 webinar is available)
  2. Strongly recommended: discuss your proposal early with the Community Hub Manager, Sophie Anstee de Mas, or book a 30-minute consultation with the Community Hub team
  3. Optionally draft answers using the Word version of the application form
  4. Get the main contacts at both lead partners to sign the Collaboration Form
  5. Complete the online application form (SmartSurvey), including a milestones table and budget, and submit by 12pm on 16 November 2026
  6. Applications are scored against Need; Inclusion, Participation and Partnership Working; Audiences, Engagement and Impact; Knowledge Sharing; and Delivery and Management, with all criteria weighted equally
  7. Panel meets in January 2027; if successful, sign the grant agreement and receive the grant upfront

Unsubmitted applications are deleted after the deadline; contact the team if accessibility needs make the online form difficult.

The panel's decision is final with no appeal; feedback is given on request.

Have ready

  • Collaboration Form signed by the main contact at both lead organisations/groups
  • Completed budget spreadsheet (template provided)

Other documents referred to in the application, such as letters of support, can be uploaded for reference only and are not assessed.

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