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 £2.4billion to more than 1,200 museums and galleries 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
News article
National Lottery Awards shortlist announced
Nominations have been drawn from the past quarter of a century to celebrate The National Lottery’s 25th Birthday.
News article
Public to help solve mystery of 2000-year-old warrior
An Iron Age warrior found buried on a housing estate is set to claim a new home thanks to National Lottery players.
Story
'Astronaut wanted': the story of Helen Sharman's unique spacesuit
Helen Sharman was the first Briton in space. But before she could even start her training, she had to have a spacesuit made just for her.
Story
Four artists on how heritage has inspired them
As the Luminary installation opens at the National Lottery-funded Crossness Pumping Station, we spoke to four artists who combine old and new in their work.
Blog
Why communities are essential to sharing the stories of Pride
These significant and inclusive events raise the profile of all sorts of LGBT+ lived experiences, celebrate activism and build stronger alliances. They increasingly involve people of all ages, cultures and faiths in publicly sharing differing identities. Alongside Stonewall’s 50th anniversary this
News article
Million insects saved as part of £8million of National Lottery funding
A million bugs Oxford University Museum of Natural History’s British Insect Collection has over a million specimens from the 18th century to today, including some that are now extinct. Spanning nearly the entire history of British entomology, the collection is vital in understating the extent and
News article
National Lottery funding for three volunteer-led projects in Scotland
Three new projects in Scotland, with volunteering at their heart, have secured significant support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
News article
Blackpool’s first museum leads the way in heritage-led regeneration
A new museum for Blackpool has been awarded a £4million National Lottery Heritage Fund grant as part of a £10m package of grants, giving heritage-led regeneration and tourism a boost across the North.
News article
Launch of £100million Heritage Horizon Awards
The Heritage Horizon Awards will invest £100million over the next three years in ambitious, innovative and transformational projects that will revolutionise UK heritage.
Project