Museums, libraries and archives tell the stories of our cultural heritage.
Through the objects, collections, film, documents and oral histories they hold they help to give us a sense of place and identity.
Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we have awarded over £2.2bn to more than 5,600 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:
- revitalise buildings and provide new purpose-built facilities
- create exciting new exhibition and learning spaces
- refurbish specialist libraries, archives and galleries
- attract more diverse audiences
- interpret and open up acquisitions
- develop collections
How to get funding
Our National Lottery Grants for Heritage programme is open for applications, with refocused priorities for 2021-22.
Hub
How to consider environmental sustainability in your heritage project
We expect the highest standards of environmental sustainability in all the projects we fund – and there are lots of ways to get started.
All types of heritage organisation can take the DASH survey
News
Calling all heritage organisations: address your digital needs by taking the DASH survey
Taking the Digital Attitudes and Skills for Heritage (DASH) survey helps heritage organisations understand and address their digital needs – and helps us understand them too.
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.
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.
160-million-year-old crocodile skull.
Credit: Bath Royal
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.
Site of the new marine park at Plymouth.
Credit: Chris Gorman/Big Ladder Photography
News
Heritage Horizon Awards: £50million to five life-changing projects
From the Scottish mountains to England's southwest coast, these big heritage ideas champion environmental, community and cultural heritage as part of our Heritage Horizon Awards.
Credit: Pete Carr
Projects
Igniting ideas and action at the International Slavery Museum
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.
Getting work experience curating the 'Museum in a Jar' exhibition
Blogs
Kick the Dust Norfolk Journeys: helping young people into work
To celebrate World Youth Skills Day, discover how a heritage-themed work experience programme is helping young people to develop crucial skills and secure employment.
Music Gallery, Horniman Museum
News
Museums reopen in time for International Museum Day
A huge number of museums that have received National Lottery Heritage Fund support are reopening across the UK in time for International Museum Day. To celebrate, here's a selection of what's on offer.
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.
Children attend a Mackintosh at the Willow event
News
National Lottery Awards 2021 shortlist announced – which project gets your vote?
Nominations recognise outstanding National Lottery funded projects that are making a difference for people and heritage across the UK.
Stories
Black History Month: mental health and wellbeing for black workers in heritage
World Mental Health Day falls on 10 October this year, during Black History Month. To mark both occasions, we spoke with a black museum employee to share their experiences within the sector.