Apply for a Community Hub Project Grant

About Community Hub Project Grants

Programme context

The Spaces, Places and Belonging (SPB) Community Hub is a programme for organisations throughout the United Kingdom led by The National Archives, in partnership with Leeds Museums & Galleries, the National Library of Wales, and the Community Archives and Heritage Group.

The programme aims to respond to the long-standing challenge of how to make innovation and learning from community-facing projects more sustainable, transferable, and accessible in the UK’s galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM) and heritage sectors. Through a supportive funding structure, it aims to help communities and organisations share their work more widely and contribute to a growing body of knowledge that others can learn from and build upon.

Project Grants of up to £30,000 are available to support substantial, collaborative initiatives between at least one GLAM or heritage organisation and one community group. These grants are designed to fund in-depth research, skills development, and the creation of lasting resources that reflect diverse voices and experiences. Whether building on a previous Seed Corn project or starting something entirely new, Project Grants aim to foster meaningful change and long-term value for both communities and institutions.

At the heart of these grants is a commitment to co-design and community leadership. Projects should be inclusive, sustainable, and impactful, with a strong emphasis on shared ownership and mutual benefit for all participants. The funding is intended to support practical, creative, and developmental work that strengthens relationships between GLAM organisations and the communities they serve.

Success rates

As part of our commitment to being open and supportive throughout this programme, we want to share that the current success rate for Community Hub Project Grant funding applications is 7.5%.

We recognise that these figures may feel discouraging. However, we want to reassure potential applicants that a low success rate shouldn’t put you off reaching out or getting involved. Every application brings you into the programme, giving you access to our training opportunities, our wider networks, and the expertise of our team.

If you’re thinking about applying, we warmly encourage you to get in touch. Our aim is to support you wherever you are in your journey – whether that’s developing a strong application or finding the right pathway forward.

How to apply

Eligibility

Project Grants are open to partnerships between GLAM 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 Community Hub 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 Community Hub Project Grant needs to:

• Be involved with, or linked in some way to, the GLAM and/or heritage sectors. Higher education institutions 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.

The following definitions below may also assist applicants in assessing whether they are eligible for this fund, and will be provided to each panellist to guide their assessment.

What is a community group?

A community group is an organised group of people who come together to address a common need, interest or experience within a specific geographical area or community of interest. They should be collaborative spaces for the benefit of the public.

What is community heritage?

Community heritage is the practice of recording, interpreting and sharing the cultures, histories and stories about and of groups of people. These histories can be shared through written documents, oral histories, visual art, books, music and seen in people’s languages, food, sports, throughout their everyday lives and in special occasions. They are the histories and stories of people, the complex and the simple tales of how we live and share together. Increasingly these stories are recorded digitally, but we have a rich history of oral heritage dating back thousands of years. Community heritage is important for the histories it tells, and insights into peoples’ unique and common experiences. These histories are by all, of all, and for all, people.

Reapplication

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

What the programme can fund

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.

Accessibility and reasonable adjustments

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to making our application process accessible to everyone. This includes providing support, in the form of reasonable adjustments, for people who have a disability or a long-term condition and face barriers applying to us.

You must contact us as early as possible in the application process. We recommend contacting us at least 15 working days before the competition closing date, to ensure that we can provide you with the most suitable support possible.

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Application deadlines

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

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

We would expect Community Hub 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.

Plan your application

You can apply for a Community Hub Project Grant using the online application form. To help you prepare your application, a range of useful guidance documents can be downloaded below.

Please contact Sophie Anstee de Mas if you would like a copy of the grant terms and conditions for this programme.

Project consultations

If you are thinking of applying for a Community Hub Project Grant, or if you have any questions about the scheme in general, either contact Sophie Anstee de Mas, our Community Hub Manager, or book in a 30 minute consultation with a member of the Community Hub team.

Submit your application

Assessment process

Scoring system

Each application will be scored numerically against a set of criteria, according to the following scale:

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

Assessment criteria

Applications for Community Hub Project Grants will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Need
• Inclusion, participation and partnership working
• Audiences, engagement and impact
• Knowledge sharing
• Delivery and management

All criteria are weighted evenly and the information provided below 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.

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.

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Community Hub guidance: Need

Watch a YouTube video explaining how we consider 'Need' when scoring bursary applications.

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.

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Community Hub guidance: Inclusion, participation and partnership working

Watch a YouTube video explaining how we consider 'Inclusion, participation and partnership' when scoring bursary applications.

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.

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Community Hub guidance: Audiences, engagement and impact

Watch a YouTube video explaining how we consider 'Audiences, engagement and impact' when scoring bursary applications.

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.

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Community Hub guidance: Knowledge sharing

Watch a YouTube video explaining how we consider 'Knowledge sharing' when scoring bursary applications.

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).

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Community Hub guidance: Delivery and management

Watch a YouTube video explaining how we consider 'Delivery and management' when scoring bursary applications.

Terms and conditions

Decisions and reapplication

The panel will score against the assessment criteria. Feedback on unsuccessful applications is not given automatically. However, upon notification of application outcome, you will be given the opportunity to request written feedback.

The National Archives’ decision regarding any application is final, and no appeal process is in place: it is the lead applicant’s responsibility to make sure that all of the information provided in the application is correct, their proposal meets the eligibility criteria, and all sections of the application are complete. Applications that are deemed ineligible will be excluded from consideration. Any points you wish to make should be made clearly and concisely in the application form.

There are no restrictions on individuals applying for reapplying if you are unsuccessful, with the agreement of the Community Hub team. However, if you have previously already held a Community Hub Project Grant, you will not be able to apply for a second time.

Managing your grant

Payment of grant

Grants will be paid upfront once a grant agreement has been signed. Applicants are strongly encouraged to seek advice on managing public funds, and to ensure that funds are evenly and equitability shared across the partnerships.

Reporting and management of funds

Grantees will be required to provide a mid-point and an end-of-project report. If final expenditure falls below the amount agreed in the Grant Funding Agreement, the Community Hub team may ask grantees to return any unspent funds at the end of the project. All grantees must ensure accurate financial accounting: spot checks and audits may be required. We will not cover the cost of any project spend above what has been agreed in the Grant Funding Agreement.

Evaluation

Evaluation of the Community Hub will be carried out by an independent evaluator contracted by the programme team, who will be responsible for defining, assessing and (where appropriate) gathering data on behalf of the programme. Grantees should be prepared to engage regularly with and provide information to the evaluation team. While reporting is compulsory for all applicants, it is for the purpose of measuring the impact of the funding programme only and does not affect eligibility for the grant.

Knowledge sharing

The Community Hub seeks to build the skills and capacities of the whole of the GLAM and Heritage sector, and to learn from the experiences of our grantees. Funded projects will be encouraged to contribute to knowledge creation and dissemination activities, including potentially writing case studies, participating in impact seminars and supporting the archive community through knowledge sharing and mentoring.

Training and skills development programme

By applying for a Community Hub Project Grant, you will gain access to a dedicated skills development and training programme, offering a wide range of learning opportunities tailored to the unique challenges faced by organisations and practitioners in the sector. This is available to all applicants, whether successful or not.

You can expect interactive workshops, expert-led webinars, and collaborative activities designed to strengthen professional skills, encourage peer networking, and share best practice. The programme is shaped by feedback from local communities and sector partners, ensuring its relevance and practical value to those taking part.

Community Hub training programme

Explore the various training and skills development opportunities available through the Community Hub.

Grant conditions

All grantees must comply with the Community Hub Terms and Conditions of funding. Please email Sophie Anstee de Mas if you would like a copy of the grant terms and conditions for this programme.

All grantees will be required to comply with the Code of Conduct for Recipients of Government General Grants and all relevant legislation, as well as the monitoring and evaluation conditions outlined above. Further conditions may be outlined within the Grant Funding Agreement.

Your organisation must agree to follow a whistleblowing process to report if the dignity, safety, security and well-being of end users is not met.

All grantees are also required to behave ethically, following The Seven Principles of Public Life (www.gov.uk) and making sustainable choices to reduce your project’s impact on the environment.