Museums, libraries and archives
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.
Projects
International Slavery Museum: Igniting Ideas and Action
The International Slavery Museum in Liverpool will be transformed from a collection of galleries into a prominent museum, the first of its kind in the UK.
Blogs
Running digital events: top tips from the BFI
Blogs
Kick the Dust Norfolk Journeys: helping young people into work
News
£6.5million for heritage projects in Staffordshire, Peterborough and Dudley
News
Our new report uncovers impact of COVID-19 crisis on heritage
News
Museums reopen in time for International Museum Day
News
The Arts and Culture Impact Fund calls for more applicants
News
Contribute your perspective to our new research and development project
News
National Lottery funding exceeds £1billion to tackle COVID-19 impact
Blogs
A space in the archives for LGBTQ+ heritage
Projects
Hands on Heritage
The Hands on Heritage project at Amgueddfa Cymru–National Museum Wales’ enabled young people from diverse backgrounds to have an impact on the collections.
News