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Museums, libraries and archives

Museums, libraries and archives

Museums, libraries and archives
Museums, libraries and archives tell the stories of our cultural heritage.

Through preservation, exhibition and community engagement, they can bring collections, places and ideas to life. They help us to understand culture, science and history, and give us a sense of place, identity and community.

Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we have awarded £2.5billion to 6,000 museum, library, archive and collection-based projects across the UK. See stories from projects we've funded below.

What do we support?

We provide grants for heritage projects from £10,000–£10million for projects led by or featuring museums, libraries and archives.

Our funding supports institutions large and small, including:

  • national, local authority and independent museums, libraries and archives
  • historic libraries
  • community archives and oral history collections
  • institutions with heritage collections

Project ideas

Our funding could help people:

  • create exciting new exhibition and learning spaces
  • attract new and more diverse audiences
  • acquire new items and develop collections
  • improve organisational resilience

For more inspiration, see the stories below, browse projects we've funded, or explore our recent Dynamic Collections campaign.

How to get funding

Our National Lottery Heritage Grants programme is open for applications.

Find out more and apply
A small train billowing steam in the yard of the museum buildings
The yard at Amgueddfa Lechi Cymru. Credit: Amgueddfa Cymru.

Projects

Unlocking the living gateway to Wales' slate story

Amgueddfa Lechi Cymru, The National Slate Museum, in Llanberis is being transformed through a £12million grant, securing its future at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage slate landscape.

Self portrait by William Dobson, c. 1635-1640
William Dobson, Self-Portrait c. 1635-40. Image courtesy of Tate and the National Portrait Gallery.

Projects

Rare self-portrait by William Dobson saved for the UK

With our support, Tate and the National Portrait Gallery have jointly acquired the earliest known work of one of the first great British painters.

A group of people posing with an award
Joint winners of Sustainable Project of the Year, Stourbridge Glass Museum Eco-friendly Upcycled Glass Exhibition in New Eco Museum. Credit: Hayley Bray.

News

Winners announced for Sustainable Project of the Year 2025

Railworld Wildlife Haven and Stourbridge Glass Museum have been crowned the winners of the sustainability award.
A large group of young people cheering outdoors
Participants in the New to Nature programme including future Game Changer, Lisa Manning.

News

Meet the future game changers of heritage

The next phase of The National Lottery’s Game Changer campaign highlights the incredible impact of young adults across the UK.
A visualisation of the future Royal Marines Experience shows a group of visitors enjoying a ride that recreates the experience of being aboard a high-speed inflatable rig.
The new experience will bring to life centuries of Royal Marines history for visitors of all ages. Credit: Museum of the Royal Navy.

Projects

Creating a new home for Royal Marines heritage

Thanks to National Lottery players, Portsmouth’s historic Boathouse 6 will be reimagined as the first purpose-built home for a nationally important military collection.

A person weaves cream coloured fabric on a wooden handloom
Visitor weaving on a 170 year-old Irish linen damask handloom. Image courtesy of Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum.

News

Museum collections will tour the UK in 40 unique exhibitions

A new landmark £5.36million exhibition programme will see 20 museums and galleries across all four nations sharing their collections.
Two people stand on a staircase looking up, with paintings covering the wall behind them
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum is part of the Founding the Future museum network. Credit: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, September 2021 © Andy Smith Art Fund 2021.

Projects

Art Fund: Going Places

A new UK-wide programme to engage and involve audiences in museum collections through collaborative touring exhibitions and public programmes.

The tall ship RRS Discovery stands in dry dock neighbouring Dundee's branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
RRS Discovery sits in dry dock, neighbouring the V&A Dundee. Credit: Dundee Heritage Trust.

Projects

Launching a new era for Discovery in Dundee

In 1901, RRS Discovery carried Scott of the Antarctic toward the South Pole. Today, transformative redevelopment plans will open up new frontiers for visitors to its Tayside home.

Children engaging with an interactive museum display
Photo: Jodrell Bank/Andrew Brooks.

Stories

Six tips for making heritage autism-friendly

From museums and galleries to gardens and churches, our funding is helping these projects to make heritage sites more inclusive, accessible and welcoming for everyone.
Two visitors use a smart phone to scan a QR code that unlocks additional interpretation and audio guides about the Scottish national collection.
Visitors use a smartphone to access digital guides during their visit. Credit: National Galleries of Scotland.

Stories

Reconnecting Scotland with its national collection

The National Galleries of Scotland has transformed the Scottish galleries in Edinburgh, with the needs of local – and global – audiences at the heart of the project.

If you query is regarding our application portal, please contact our support team.