Museums, libraries and archives
![Black Cultural Archives. Credit: Kois Miah A person handles large parchment documents in an archive room, with shelves of archive boxes in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/main_image_desktop/public/media/imgs/Raleigh%20Hall%20development%20for%20Black%20Cultural%20Archives%20-%20Black%20Cultural%20Archives%202%20copy.jpg.webp?itok=dKXj4Ndc)
Through objects, collections, film, documents and oral histories they help to give us a sense of place and identity.
Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we have awarded £2.4billion to 5,900 museum, library, archive and collection-based projects across the UK.
What do we support?
Our funding supports institutions large and small, including:
- national and local authority museums, libraries and archives
- historic libraries
- community archives
- institutions with heritage collections
Project ideas
Our funding could help people:
- create exciting new exhibition and learning spaces
- attract more diverse audiences
- interpret and open up acquisitions
- develop collections
For more inspiration, see the stories below or browse projects we've funded.
How to get funding
Our National Lottery Heritage Grants programme is open for applications.
![Life by the Loch: discover Linlithgow’s links to Scottish royalty The new Linlithgow Museum opens its doors this weekend](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/DSC_0243%20%282%29.jpg.webp?itok=1HzQhF6W)
News
Life by the loch: discover Linlithgow’s links to Scottish royalty
![Changing lives: volunteering helps Ben turn away from trouble Two young men](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/National-Lottery-Heritage-Fund-Ben_0.jpg.webp?itok=TA0YxxD5)
Stories
Changing lives: volunteering helps Ben turn away from trouble
![Celebrities and surprises spotted in Painted Hall, Greenwich Painted Hall Greenwich](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Painted-Hall_Upper-Hall_Ww-%281%29verySmall.jpg.webp?itok=LigI9INU)
News
Celebrities and surprises spotted in Painted Hall, Greenwich
![National Football Museum acquires prize winning Toynbee artwork thanks for National Lottery grant Midweek at Stamford Bridge](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Midweek%20at%20Stamford%20Bridge%20%282%29.jpg.webp?itok=S0jSp57g)
News
National Football Museum acquires prize-winning Toynbee artwork thanks to National Lottery grant
![Leeds Eulogy project to celebrate Jamaican lives Black and white photograph of man sitting down](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/national-lottery-heritage-fund-eulogy-project.JPG.webp?itok=zBW8cxNI)
News
Leeds Eulogy project to celebrate Jamaican lives
![Secrets of Essex's Sculpture Town revealed in new archive Sculpture of a boar](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/boar-frink.jpg.webp?itok=jLkBEE-B)
News
Secrets of Essex's Sculpture Town revealed in new archive
![Scotland’s National Museum unveils final phase of dramatic transformation Assistant conservator Lydia Messerschmidt views the mummy mask and wreath of Montsuef at the National Museum of Scotland](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/NMS.4.jpg.webp?itok=M1srLtoy)
News
Scotland’s National Museum unveils final phase of dramatic transformation
Projects
Celebrating Community Heritage
Social, cultural and industrial heritage of people in the North East was the subject of a three-year project run by Beamish Museum.
Projects
Diary of a Dude: Bringing Jack Pulman's First World War Diary to Life
This project explores the diary of Jack Pulman, a first-hand account of life as an overseas serviceman during the First World War.
Projects
Scotland's pride in focus
Pink Saltire is a Scottish LGBTQ+ news and information charity founded in 2014.
Projects
Celebrating the Spirit of the Cracker Packers
This inspiring community heritage project explores the fascinating lives of Carlisle’s ‘Cracker Packers’ through the ages.
Projects
Risk Takers and History Makers - Celebrating the voices of the Women of Bedford
The stories of four Bedford women were celebrated with workshops and an exhibition.