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Museums, libraries and archives

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.

We have awarded over £500,000 to more than 1,700 projects in UK archives and libraries.

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. Find out more and apply.

A national Welsh flag with rainbow background.
A Welsh flag with rainbow background from the Amgueddfa Cymru–National Museum Wales collection

Projects

Hands on Heritage: youngsters research the LGBT+ past of Wales

The Hands on Heritage project at Amgueddfa Cymru–National Museum Wales’ enabled young people from diverse backgrounds to have an impact on the collections.

An aerial view of the crescent-shaped Cleveland Pools. A Georgian lido in Bath
The Georgian-era Cleveland Pools in Bath. Image credit: Cleveland Pools

News

£13.5million to kickstart 22 heritage projects

The grants, awarded through our Heritage Capital Kickstart Fund, will help revive heritage sites impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19).
Visitors having picnics outside of Braemar Castle

News

£1.9m to help Highlands heritage

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has invested £1.9million to support the development of three spectacular Scottish heritage sites.