Think big: how to apply for the Heritage Horizon Awards

Think big: how to apply for the Heritage Horizon Awards

Ros Kerslake
Thinking about applying? The National Lottery Heritage Fund CEO Ros Kerslake explains what she is looking for.

Today we begin inviting Expressions of Interest for our new Heritage Horizon Awards.

This is a pot of £100million over the next three years dedicated to large, ambitious and exciting projects.

Our CEO Ros Kerslake explained: “What we are looking for is something that will deliver a significant impact for people and communities. [Your project] has really got to be something outstanding.

"It's got to live up to the standard of some of the previous investments that we've made.”

Speaking from Alexandra Palace – which received £18.8m of National Lottery investment in 2015 – Kerslake cited the theatre as an example of: “a very big investment achieving something incredible”.

Louise Stewart, CEO of Alexandra Palace, explained how funding to restore the Victorian theatre has created “a project for everyone”.

As a charity, part of our duty is to serve the public. (Alexandra Palace) is here for the public, not a particular element of the public. And so what we do and what heritage funding has allowed us to do, is really look at the groups that we're not engaging with,” Stewart said.

If you came to Alexandra Palace on a sunny day, you would see every age group, every colour, every demographic that you can imagine. That's what we're here for. And [The National Lottery] Heritage Fund has absolutely allowed us to really expand on that work.”

It is that wide-ranging impact on heritage, and for communities, that we’re looking for with our Heritage Horizon Awards.

How to apply

Today we invite Expressions of Interest from organisations with ambitious ideas. The deadline is 11 October 2019.

Find out more on our Heritage Horizon Awards page.

Think big, and good luck.