Museums, libraries and archives
Black Cultural Archives. Credit: Kois Miah
Museums, libraries and archives tell the stories of our cultural heritage.
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.
News
Reimagining Reality wins Sustainable Project of the Year
Interactive science exhibition took home the Heritage Fund-sponsored category at the Museums + Heritage Awards.
A World of Good exhibition
News
Four projects shortlisted for excellence in environmental sustainability
Low-carbon renovations and exhibitions featuring recycled materials and strong environmental messages recognised in this year's Museums + Heritage Sustainable Project of the Year shortlist.
Programme
National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £10,000 to £250,000
A funding programme for projects that connect people and communities to the national, regional and local heritage of the UK. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players. Grants available from £10,000 to £250,000.
Programme
National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £250,000 to £10million
A funding programme for projects that connect people and communities to the national, regional and local heritage of the UK. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players. Grants available from £250,000 to £10million.
Heritage Minister Nigel Huddleston's visit to grantee Alexandra Palace. Credit: Lloyd Winters
News
The Culture Recovery Fund’s £15.5million festive boost for heritage
Nearly 140 heritage organisations across England will benefit from the government’s latest round of funding, helping to achieve financial sustainability for 2022.
Curator Edith Ojo in front of Aso-oke, a Celebration of Style display case. Credit: James Pike, Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove
Publications
Making real changes in collections development
Understanding the impact of our Collecting Cultures programme, and a look ahead to our new campaign, Dynamic Collections.
Basic Page
How we're tackling the climate crisis
In our strategy, Heritage 2033, we have identified embedding environmental sustainability in our investment and operations as an organisational priority.
160-million-year-old crocodile skull.
Stories
Discover fascinating heritage on display for first time
An unseen Turner painting is among a range of heritage objects to go on display for the first time thanks to National Lottery funding.
Design visual of the Natural History Museum garden. Credit: Feilden Fowles and J & L Gibbons
News
£3.2million for the Natural History Museum’s Urban Nature Project
A major project will support wildlife in London and other UK cities through a biodiverse green space, scientific innovation and engaging young people.
Marquess of Anglesey's Column
News
Latest National Lottery funding opens up access to heritage
More than £14million has been awarded to projects that will help a wider range of people benefit from heritage.
News
David Livingstone Birthplace re-opens
The birthplace one of Scotland’s most famous explorers has re-opened following a £6.86million National Lottery grant.
Site of the new marine park at Plymouth.
News
Heritage Horizon Awards: £50million to five life-changing projects
We are proud to announce the recipients of our Heritage Horizon Awards. Over £50million of funding has been awarded to five transformational projects across the UK. When we launched the Heritage Horizon Awards in 2019, we set out to fund ideas that unlocked possibility. From innovative farming