Manuscript preservation
National Manuscripts Conservation Trust
The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust (NMCT), administered by The National Archives, provides financial assistance to help with the cost of conserving manuscripts that are historically or educationally valuable.
The NMCT has helped to conserve hundreds of manuscripts since it was set up in 1990. Without it, many musical, literary, architectural and other vital historical documents would have been lost or faced an uncertain future. A key aim is to make previously inaccessible manuscripts available for study and research.
Past awards
In 2007, the Trust made eight grants totalling almost £115,000. These ranged from funding a modest proposal for rebinding five volumes of 19th century Church of England documents, to a major project to conserve important archives at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, including the manuscript of Hardy's Jude the Obscure.
Other projects include cataloguing and conserving the Walter Crane Archive at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester and conserving early mining records held at the Worcestershire Records Office.
How to apply
We welcome grant applications from any record office, library or owner of manuscripts that are exempt from capital taxation or owned by a charitable trust.
Grants are awarded twice a year, in June and December; the deadlines for applications are 1 April and 1 October respectively.
In considering applications, the Trustees will take into account:
- The significance of the manuscript or archive
- Whether the storage conditions are suitable
- The applicant's commitment to good preservation practice, and
- Whether the public will have reasonable access to it
- Leaflet of general guidance (PDF, 426.40kb)
- Application form (Word document, 95.00kb)
- Application form in Welsh (RTF, 102.65kb)
On completion of the project, a final report is required.
- Final report form (RTF, 92.46kb)
- Final report form in Welsh (RTF, 46.25kb)
NMCT staff will be pleased to advise applicants of any aspect of the application process. Please contact us for details:
The Secretary
The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust
C/o The National Archives
Kew, Surrey
TW9 4DU
Further information
- NMCT's annual report 2008 (PDF, 207.28kb)
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