This page provides detailed information on each of the Bursaries’ 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:

Guidance Video

Overview of Criteria

The aim of the Bursaries scheme is designed for individuals seeking to grow their expertise in community heritage work. It is open to practitioners at any stage of their journey and is designed to support a wide range of professional development activities.

Applications will be assessed against the following three criteria:

  • Need
  • Audiences, Engagement and Impact
  • Knowledge Sharing

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.

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 why this bursary is important for your development in community heritage work. We want to understand the specific skills, knowledge, or experience you are looking to build – and why this is the right time for you to pursue this opportunity.

You might want to describe:

  • A gap in your current skills, confidence, or experience that is limiting your ability to contribute to or lead community heritage work/research.
  • A new direction or area of practice you are keen to explore – such as co-production, inclusive interpretation, or digital engagement – and why it matters to your work.
  • A challenge or opportunity in your current role, organisation, or community that this bursary would help you respond to.
  • A lack of access to previous training or development opportunities, and how this bursary would help to address that.

You could also explain:

  • Why this learning opportunity is timely – for example, in relation to your career stage, a new project, or a shift in your responsibilities.
  • How the bursary will help you take a meaningful step forward – whether that’s building confidence, testing new approaches, or deepening your practice.
  • What difference this opportunity could make to your future work, and how it might benefit others (e.g. your organisation, community, or peers).

Every applicant will have different needs and goals. Use this section to show us how this bursary will support your development – and why it matters now.

Watch a video version description of ‘Need’

Audiences, Engagement and Impact

Use this section to explain what change this bursary would help create – for you, your organisation, and/or your community. We want to understand how this opportunity will support your development and how that learning might ripple outwards to benefit others.

You might want to describe:

  • What difference this bursary would make to your confidence, skills, or practice in community heritage work.
  • How the learning or experience you gain could strengthen your current role, open up new opportunities, or support your longer-term goals.
  • How your development might positively impact your organisation – for example, by introducing new approaches, building capacity, or supporting more inclusive engagement.
  • How your learning could benefit your community – such as by enabling new activities, improving access, or amplifying underrepresented voices.

You could also explain:

  • Why this opportunity is meaningful to you at this point in your journey.
  • What kind of impact you hope to see – and how you might reflect on or share what you’ve learned.
  • Any ways you plan to embed or apply your learning in your work or community context.

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

 

Knowledge Sharing

Use this section to explain how you plan to share what you learn through the bursary.

You might want to describe:

  • How you will reflect on and capture your learning – for example, through notes, creative outputs, or informal evaluation.
  • How you plan to share your learning with others – such as through a team meeting, blog post, workshop, or informal conversation.
  • Who you hope to share your learning with

You could also explain:

  • How your learning could inspire or support others working in community heritage – especially those who may not have had access to similar opportunities.
  • Any plans you have to build on this learning in future work, collaborations, or community activities.
  • How you will make your knowledge sharing accessible and inclusive – for example, by using plain language, offering different formats, or tailoring it to your audience.

Watch a video version description of ‘Knowledge Sharing’