This page provides detailed information on each of the ‘Seed Corn Grants’ assessment criterion. 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 Seed Corn Grants scheme is designed to support early-stage, exploratory projects that spark new ideas and approaches to community engagement with heritage. These grants are designed for community groups and GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) organisations looking to test concepts, build partnerships, or pilot activities.

Applications will be assessed against the following four criteria:

  • Need
  • Inclusion, Participation and Partnership Working
  • Audiences, Engagement and Impact
  • 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 and application details, 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, opportunity, or area of exploration that your project seeks to address. We want to understand why this work is important now, and how it will spark new thinking, build momentum, or unlock future potential for your organisation, your community, and/or the heritage you care for.

You might want to describe:

  • A pressing issue or opportunity that has emerged within your community or organisation – such as a lack of representation, barriers to access, or a need for new approaches to inclusion, sustainability, or engagement.
  • A skills gap, resource limitation, or organisational challenge that is preventing you from testing new ideas or reaching new audiences.
  • A moment of change, such as a new partnership, a shift in community priorities, or a time-sensitive opportunity to try something different.
  • A community-led priority that has emerged through consultation, lived experience, or recent learning, which your project is well-placed to explore.

You could also explain:

  • Why this work needs to happen now – and what risks, missed opportunities, or delays might occur if it doesn’t.
  • How the Seed Corn Grant will help you take a first step, test a concept, or build confidence and capacity for future work.
  • What long-term value or learning the project could generate – for your organisation, your community, or the wider heritage sector.
  • Any evidence that supports your case, such as community feedback, strategic plans, or reflections from previous work.

Every Seed Corn project will look different. Use this section to show us how your project responds to a real and timely need – and how this small grant could make a big difference.

Watch a video version description of ‘Need’

Inclusion, Participation and Partnership Working

Use this section to explain how your project will be inclusive, collaborative, and community centred. We want to understand how you will ensure that the people and communities you aim to work with are meaningfully involved in shaping and delivering the project – and how their contributions will be recognised, valued, and, where appropriate, remunerated.

You might want to describe:

  • How you will build trust and relationships with the community(ies) you want to engage – especially those who may not usually feel represented or included in the research sphere.
  • How you will create accessible and welcoming opportunities for people to participate – including any steps you will take to remove barriers to involvement.
  • How you will ensure that decision-making is shared, and that community voices are heard and acted upon throughout the project.
  • How you will work in partnership with other organisations or groups, and what each partner brings to the collaboration.

You could also explain:

  • How your project will be managed and organised – including who is responsible for what, and how decisions will be made.
  • How individuals’ and groups’ input will be valued – for example, through co-design, shared leadership, or creative collaboration.
  • Whether and how you will recognise people’s time and expertise – for example, through paid roles, honoraria, or other forms of support.
  • Any relevant experience your team or partners bring in inclusive or participatory practice.

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 current or potential audiences are – and how you’ve identified them, for example through consultation, previous work, or local knowledge.
  • Why these audiences matter to your project – and what you hope they will gain from taking part.
  • How you will reach and engage these audiences – including any specific approaches to accessibility, relevance, or inclusion.
  • What change or impact you hope to see – in your organisation, your community, or the wider heritage sector.

You could also explain:

  • What difference the project could make if funded – for example, new relationships, increased confidence, improved access, or fresh ways of working.
  • How you will know if the project has made a difference – including any plans for reflection, evaluation, or learning.
  • Any evidence or insight that supports your approach – such as feedback, data, or experience from previous work.

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

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 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 across the team, 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 – 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’