Museums, libraries and archives
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 £2.6billion to more than 6,100 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.
News
£1.4million to transform the Highlands’ Glencoe Folk Museum
Projects
Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration
Historic waterworks are to become the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration thanks to over £3.75million in funding.
Projects
New Peacemakers Museum explores community journey from conflict to peace
A new community heritage museum has opened at the Gasyard Centre in Spring 2024.
Stories
Why you should involve people with lived experience in your heritage project
Stories
Report: museums and heritage sites need to improve online accessibility information
Videos
Dynamic Collections: behind the scenes at Pitt Rivers
Stories
A brave new tribute to a famous Victorian explorer
Stories
The National Lottery Awards 2022 are open! Who will you vote for?
Projects
New Voices for North East Nature
The Natural History Society of Northumbria (NHSN) are collecting and sharing new stories about how a connection with nature has helped people in times of need in the north east of England.
Blogs
Diversifying workforces benefits staff, employers and heritage audiences
News
Five ways museums can improve mental health and wellbeing
Projects
Liverpool Football Club's RED archive caravan tour
Over six years, a fan-led community organisation have created an extensive and evocative collection of Liverpool Football Club fans’ personal photos and stories.