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 £2.5billion 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.
Projects
Restoring and reinterpreting Auckland Castle
This bold heritage-led regeneration project aims to create inspiring experiences and learnings on faith for visitors to County Durham.
Projects
Celebrating Scotland’s Art: The Scottish National Gallery Project
10 accessible gallery spaces boasting the work of pioneering Scottish artists have transformed visitors’ experience of the national collection.
Projects
Land of Iron: celebrating the legacy of the UK's ironstone mining heritage
The Room to Grow project has transformed the former Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum into a new and engaging space for all.
News
£12.2million investment to help save UK’s historic buildings
Projects
The UK’s first centre dedicated to anti-apartheid heritage
This project will restore the former headquarters of the African National Congress at 28 Penton Street, London, creating a new centre to share the stories of South Africa's liberation.
Projects
Unveiling Literary Treasures: D H Lawrence Portrait Finds Home in Nottingham City Museums
The acquisition of a portrait of writer D H Lawrence celebrates Nottingham’s UNESCO City of Literature and opens up new avenues for engaging with diverse communities.
Projects
People, Pride and Progress: recording the histories of LGBTQ+ railway workers
Through the collection of real-life stories, this project aims to spotlight the LGBTQ+ community’s contribution to the railways for the first time.
Stories
Battlefield bonds: sharing the heritage of Nepal and the UK’s military partnership
Projects
Horniman gets the green light for transformational nature project
Described as a once-in-a-generation project, the Natural History Gallery and gardens will be redeveloped into a new and engaging space for all.
Projects
Hereford Museum and Art Gallery revamp receives £5m National Lottery funding boost
Herefordshire Council has been awarded a £5million grant to redevelop the Grade II listed Hereford Museum and Art Gallery.
Stories
Three projects that celebrate 75 years of the NHS
Projects
Medical Museum protects collections and engages local community
The Medical Museum project has revitalised access and engagement with a collection of medical artefacts through exhibitions, workshops, an online archive and personal stories.