When we launched Heritage 2033, our new 10-year strategy, we acknowledged that our £5m grant threshold – which has been in place for over 20 years – was limiting opportunities for some initiatives to come forward.

We want to invest in more ambitious heritage projects that share our belief in the power of heritage to bring people together, build pride in place and connection to the past.

2023–2024 is a transition year ahead of full implementation of Heritage 2033. We will be making changes to our approach in stages. The first change – from today – is increasing the amount you can apply for to £10m.

We want to support the best, most ambitious and innovative heritage projects across the UK. We know that inflation and the cost of living crisis is making that difficult under our current threshold.

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund

How to apply

The application and decision making process will remain the same as our previous grants from £250,000 to £5m. Applications received this year will be assessed on the criteria of our current Strategic Funding Framework 2019-2024.

However, due to the timelines involved in developing projects at this scale, we will also ask you to consider our new Heritage 2033 investment principles:

• saving heritage
• protecting the environment
• inclusion, access and participation
• organisational sustainability

You will need to submit a supporting document of 500 words or less outlining how your project will respond to all four principles.

Seeking ambition and innovation

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "We want to support the best, most ambitious and innovative heritage projects across the UK. We know that inflation and the cost of living crisis is making that difficult under our current threshold. 

"Increasing our grants to £10m means we can support projects which have greater scale and reach, and deliver our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone’s future. 

"We may also consider investing above this threshold for truly exceptional heritage projects.”

Next steps

Explore our application guidance for National Lottery Grants for Heritage from £250,000 to £10m, and contact your local office if you have any further questions.

Heritage 2033 concisely sets out our overarching principles and ambitions for the next decade. In July, we'll release the first of a series of delivery plans that will provide further detail on how we’ll invest National Lottery funding over the years ahead. Until then, please continue to apply for grants using our current guidance and outcomes.