This page provides detailed information on each of the Project Grants’ assessment criteria. It is written to assist applicants and panel members when writing and scoring proposals. Please read through this guidance carefully. Once you have done this, you can apply to this scheme through the below link:

Application Form

If you would like to view the following information in a video format, click the link below:

Video Guidance

Overview of Criteria

The aim of the Project Grants scheme is to fund substantial, collaborative projects between at least one GLAM + Heritage organisation and one community group. These grants support in-depth research, skills development, and the creation of lasting resources that reflect diverse voices and experiences.

Applications will be assessed against the following five criteria:

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

Each criterion will be scored with the following ratings:

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

 

All criterion are weighted evenly. Further information on each one is given below. This information is not intended to be exhaustive: an outstanding answer may not cover all of the points mentioned, and/or may cover other points as appropriate to the applicant and their project.

However, the information below should assist applicants in writing successful proposals and will be provided to each panellist to guide their assessment.

Are you eligible for funding?

To determine your eligibility for funding, consider whether you are a GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) or Heritage organisation, or part of a community group as defined below?

Then consider whether your proposed activity would fall into the scope of community heritage: does your project work to record or share histories, cultures or stories? Does it explore our senses of space, place or belonging? Are you trying to shift the focus from the usual national histories to a more localised narrative?

If your work aligns with these definitions, you are likely eligible to apply. For comprehensive criteria, read below.

What is Community Heritage? What is a Community Group?

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

Need

Use this section to explain the specific challenge, gap, research area or opportunity that your project seeks to address. We want to understand the urgency and relevance of your proposal, and how it will create meaningful change for both the community(ies) and the GLAM + Heritage organisation(s) involved.

You might want to describe:

  • A pressing issue within your community or institution that requires collaborative action. This could be a lack of representation, barriers to access, or a need for new approaches to inclusion, sustainability, or engagement.
  • A skills gap or resource limitation that prevents your organisation or community group from delivering impactful work. For example, you may need support in digital engagement, co-design methods, or inclusive interpretation.
  • A strategic opportunity to build on recent work (such as a Seed Corn project), respond to a local or national initiative, or leverage a time-sensitive partnership or funding stream.
  • A community-led priority that has emerged through consultation or lived experience, which your project is uniquely positioned to address.

You could also explain:

  • Why this work must happen now, and what risks or missed opportunities may arise if it is delayed.
  • How the grant will provide a solution or partial solution to the challenge, and what long-term value it will create.
  • Any evidence that supports your case, such as community feedback, strategic documents, or letters of support.

Every partnership will have different needs. Use this response to show us how your project will make a difference – now and into the future.

Watch a video version description of ‘Need’

Inclusion, Participation and Partnership Working

Use this section to explain how your project will centre inclusion, equity, and meaningful collaboration throughout its design and delivery. We want to understand how your partnership will work in practice, and how community voices will shape and benefit from the project. It is also important to demonstrate how all partners have contributed to the development of the application.

You might want to describe:

  • How your partnership was formed and how each partner – whether a GLAM organisation or community group – brings unique knowledge, experience, or networks to the project.
  • How decisions will be made, including how power and responsibility will be shared across the partnership. Will there be a steering group, co-leads, or other collaborative structures?
  • How you will ensure inclusive participation, especially for individuals or groups who may face barriers to engagement. This could include accessible venues, translated materials or flexible scheduling.
  • How community members will be recognised and valued, including through paid roles, honoraria, or other forms of acknowledgement. Will participants be involved in co-design, delivery, or evaluation?
  • How you will build trust and sustain relationships, especially if your project is working with communities historically underrepresented in heritage spaces.

You could also explain:

  • How your project will reflect and respond to the diverse voices and experiences of the communities involved.
  • How you will monitor and adapt your approach to inclusion and participation as the project evolves.
  • Any training, support, or resources that will help partners and participants engage fully and equitably.

Every partnership is different. Use this response to show how your project will be shaped by the people it is for – and how it will leave a legacy of collaboration and inclusion.

Watch a video version description of ‘Inclusion, Participation and Partnership Working’

Audiences, Engagement and Impact

We define impact as “the demonstrable contribution that a project makes.” Use this section to tell us why/how your project is going to change things: for you, for your organisations/community groups, for your users and audiences, for the wider sector, or for society. We want to understand what difference your proposal will make, and what change may result from the project, and for whom.

Explain how your project will centre its audiences – both existing and new – through meaningful engagement and participation. We want to understand how you’ve identified your audiences, how you will work with them, and what difference the project will make for them and your organisation or partnership.

You might want to describe:

  • Who your audiences are, and how you’ve identified them – through consultation, previous projects, lived experience, or local knowledge.
  • Whether your project is reaching new audiences, deepening relationships with existing ones, or both.
  • What matters to your audiences, and how your project will reflect their interests, needs, or priorities.
  • What kinds of engagement activities you are planning – such as workshops, events, exhibitions, digital content, or co-creation sessions -and how these will be inclusive, accessible, and relevant.
  • How you will support participation– through outreach, facilitation, access support, or removing barriers to involvement.

You could also explain:

  • What positive change your project will create – such as increased confidence, new skills, stronger relationships, or greater visibility for underrepresented stories.
  • How your organisation or partnership will grow – through new ways of working, deeper community connections, or more inclusive practice.
  • How you will evaluate the project’s impact – through feedback, reflection, or other forms of learning.

Watch a video version description of ‘Audiences, Engagement and Impact’

Knowledge Sharing   

Use this section to explain how your project will generate new learning, skills, and insights – and how you will ensure that this knowledge is shared meaningfully and accessibly with others. We want to understand how your project will contribute to wider practice across the GLAM, Heritage and community sectors, and how its legacy will extend beyond the life of the grant.

You might want to describe:

  • What knowledge or skills you expect to gain – whether through co-design, community engagement, creative practice, training, evaluation, or partnership working.
  • How community partners or participants will gain new skills or confidence, and how this will be supported during and after the project.

You could also explain:

  • How you will share what you’ve learned – through events, toolkits, reports, exhibitions, digital resources, or other outputs?
  • Who you will share it with – such as other GLAM + Heritage organisations, community groups, networks, or funders.
  • How you will make your outputs accessible and useful – through inclusive formats, open access, or creative dissemination.
  • How this knowledge sharing will help others to build on your work, and how it will contribute to a sustainable legacy for the project.

Watch a video version description of ‘Knowledge Sharing’

Delivery and Management

Use this section to explain how your project will be delivered effectively and responsibly. We want to understand how your team will work together, how progress will be monitored, and how you will respond to challenges.

You might want to describe:

  • The roles and responsibilities of each partner or team member, including who will lead on project coordination, community engagement, delivery, evaluation, and reporting. Who has overall responsibility for the project, and are any new staff being hired? How will they be paid if they are?
  • How your project will be managed day-to-day, including communication between partners, decision-making processes, and how you will ensure the project stays on track.
  • How you will track progress, including any tools or methods you will use to monitor timelines, budgets, and outputs.
  • How you will identify and manage risks, such as delays, changes in capacity, or challenges in community engagement—and what contingency plans you have in place.
  • Provide a rationale for any non-staff expenditure that you need to deliver your project, and how you plan to procure any resources you need, if you don’t have access to them already.

You could also:

  • Populate the milestones table with at least three key points in your project timeline. For each milestone, include a title, date, and a short description of the activities or outputs expected by that point.
  • Complete the budget spreadsheet, ensuring it aligns with your project plan and includes all relevant costs (e.g. staff time, materials, venue hire, access support, evaluation).

Watch a video version description of ‘Delivery and Management’