Museums, libraries and archives | The National Lottery Heritage Fund

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A person handles large parchment documents in an archive room, with shelves of archive boxes in the background

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. See stories from projects we've funded below.

We provide grants for heritage projects from £10,000–£10million to ensure that heritage is valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.

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.

Find out more and apply

Two people smiling and standing in front of a museum entrance

Heritage Fund colleagues Mwiche and Alisha at the David Livingstone Birthplace

Stories

A brave new tribute to a famous Victorian explorer

How an independent museum in Scotland is preserving and re-examining the legacy of the nation’s most renowned explorer and anti-slavery campaigner

Storm Troopers and Darth Vader surround a model of the Millennium Falcon

Millennium Falcon Exhibition

Stories

The National Lottery Awards 2022 are open! Who will you vote for?

Nominations for Project of the Year recognise outstanding National Lottery funded projects that are making a difference for people and heritage across the UK.

a group of people look at objects from a historical archive laid out on a long table

The Natural History Society of Northumbria holds over 16,000 items related to wildlife and nature in the north east of England. Photo: NHSN.

Projects

New Voices for North East Nature

The Natural History Society of Northumbria (NHSN) are collecting and sharing new stories about how a connection with nature has helped people in times of need in the north east of England.

16/08/2022

Two women looking into a glass museum display case.

An exhibition on the School for the Blind at the Museum of Liverpool.

Blogs

Diversifying workforces benefits staff, employers and heritage audiences

Esther Fox shares how even small changes can have big impacts on heritage workforces and build a more sustainable and equitable sector.

05/09/2022

Person painting

News

Five ways museums can improve mental health and wellbeing

We talked to Director of charity Arts and Minds, Lucy Oliver-Harrison, about the Arts on Prescription – Heritage for Health project.

23/05/2019

Liverpool fans attending the 1978 Bruges European Cup Final. Credit: Adrien Killen

Liverpool fans attending the 1978 Bruges European Cup Final. Credit: Adrien Killen

Projects

Liverpool Football Club's RED archive caravan tour

Over six years, a fan-led community organisation have created an extensive and evocative collection of Liverpool Football Club fans’ personal photos and stories.

19/05/2022

A child interacting with one of the Reimagining Reality exhibits and shining a light onto a shape on the wall.

News

Reimagining Reality wins Sustainable Project of the Year

Interactive science exhibition took home the Heritage Fund-sponsored category at the Museums + Heritage Awards.

12/05/2022

A brightly lit room with an exhibition including paper sculptures of birds and information panels

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.

10/03/2022

Visitors enjoying RSPB Minsmere

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.

Brompton Cemetery aerial view

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.

Four people standing inside Alexandra Palace, socially distanced with masks on

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.

17/12/2021

A curator in front of display of African costume

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.