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
National Lottery Awards shortlist announced
Stories
'Astronaut wanted': the story of Helen Sharman's unique spacesuit
Stories
Four artists on how heritage has inspired them
Blogs
Why communities are essential to sharing the stories of Pride
News
Million insects saved as part of £8million of National Lottery funding
News
National Lottery funding for three volunteer-led projects in Scotland
News
Blackpool’s first museum leads the way in heritage-led regeneration
News
Launch of £100million Heritage Horizon Awards
News
Six stories for London History Day
News
Black Country Living Museum to build historic new town
News