How to Apply - Portals

Application

Once the Project Grants open for applications in April 2026, you can apply through an online application form:

You can also download a word version of the form here.

We ask that you still submit your application through the online portal, but if you have accessibility requirements that make this difficult for you please do get in contact to let us know.

Timetable

There will be two application rounds for Project Grants, one launching in April 2026 and another in launching September 2026:

Round	Opens	Closes	Panel Meeting
1	1st April 2026	15th June 2026,12pm	September 2026
2	1st September 2026	16th November 2026, 12pm	January 2027

Start Dates and Project length

Your start date should be after the panel meeting that reflects when you submitted your application. For example, if you submitted your application on 10th April 2026, your start date should be after August 2026.

We would expect Project Grants to last no more than one year, with scope for some variation where appropriate and justified in your application. However all projects must be completed, with all money spent, by December 2027.

Eligibility

Project Grants are open to partnerships between GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) or Heritage organisations and community groups. Each application must involve at least one GLAM or Heritage organisation and one community group working collaboratively. The partnership can be an existing one, or a new one created for the purposes of this application.

While it is not necessary to have previously received a Seed Corn Grant, applicants who have done so are welcome to build on that earlier work as part of their project development. The emphasis is on co-designed, community-led initiatives that prioritise inclusion, sustainability, and long-term impact.

Any application for a Project grant needs to:

Be involved with, or linked in some way to, the Galleries, Libraries and Museums (GLAM) and/or Heritage sectors. Higher education institutes and/or Independent research organisations (IROs) cannot be the lead on applications, but can be listed as partners.
Be based in the UK (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales)
Have a UK bank account.
Not have received a Community Hub Project grant before. Previously unsuccessful applicants can apply again with the agreement of the Community Hub team.

Reapplication

If you were unsuccessful in a previous round of Project Grant funding, you are allowed to reapply. However, we do ask that you arrange a chat with us first to discuss your original application and establish the areas for improvement.

Finance and Budgeting

Eligible budget lines include a wide range of potential costs. These could include, but are not limited to:

Staff time or freelance fees for project delivery
Community engagement and co-design activities
Training and skills development for participants
Travel and subsistence for project participants
Materials, equipment, or venue hire
Digital tools, platforms, or content creation
Evaluation and dissemination of project outcomes
Translation or accessibility services
General organisational overheads or core running costs

Costs that are not eligible are:

Retrospective costs (i.e. activities already completed before the grant is awarded)
Subsidies to create products intended to be sold
The grant may not be used for the following purposes: payments that support activity intended to influence Parliament, Government or political parties, or attempting to influence the awarding or renewal of contracts and grants or attempting to influence legislative or regulatory action.

Assessment Process

There will be two application rounds for the Project Grants: one launching in April 2026 and another launching in September 2026. Applications can be made through our online application form:

Application Form

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

Need
Inclusion, Participation and Partnership Working
Audiences, Engagement and Impact
Knowledge Sharing
Delivery and Management

Each application will be scored numerically against the criteria above, according to the following scale:

Score	1	2	3	4	5
Rating	Poor	Low	Good	Excellent	Outstanding

See our Assessment Criteria for Further Guidance:

Assessment Criteria

Portfolio Balancing
Applications will be reviewed by the panel using the published criteria and considered on their individual strengths. The Community Hub will use these recommendations to help guide the final funding decisions, while also keeping in mind the importance of shaping a well‑rounded and inclusive portfolio from the strongest proposals.

As part of this process, the Community Hub may take into account:

Geographic coverage – aiming, where possible, for a broad spread of applications from across the UK.
Organisational diversity – hoping to reflect the wide range of organisations working across the GLAM and community heritage sectors.
Thematic focus – seeking to support a mix of research areas and projects that explore a variety of challenges, topics, or themes

Panel Assessment
Applications are assessed by a panel of experts. The panel members are:

Richard Wragg – Head of Library and Archives, National History Museum
Chania Fox – National Youth Development Officer, English Heritage
Beth Bryan – Director, Cartoon Museum
Mona Jamil – Head of Civic Engagement, Migration Museum
Lucy Carlton-Walker – Service Manager for Libraries, Warwickshire County Council
Thomas Brown – Grant Development Manager, The National Archives
Sarah Petter – Senior Engagement Manager, The National Archives
Holly Staynor – Head of Projects and Processes, The National Archives
Claire McNulty – Policy Delivery Lead, The National Archives

Project Consultations

Although applications for the first round of Project Grants will officially open in April 2026, now is the ideal moment to begin exploring potential collaborations, reaching out to discuss your ideas with us, and mapping out possible opportunities. Use this period to build connections, refine your concepts, and lay the groundwork for a strong proposal when the time comes. Applicants are strongly encouraged to speak to the Community Hub team about their proposals at an early stage to ensure they align with the purpose of the funding.

You can do this by either contacting Sophie Anstee de Mas, our Community Hub Manager, or booking in a 30 minute consultation with a member of the Community Hub team.