Apply for a Community Hub Seed Corn Grant

About Seed Corn Grants

Programme context

The Spaces, Places and Belonging (SPB) Community Hub is a new programme for communities across 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 and wider development programme, 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.

Seed Corn Grants offer funding of between £500 and £5,000 to support early-stage, exploratory projects that aim to spark new ideas and innovative approaches to community engagement with heritage. Seed Corn Grants are particularly designed to help organisations test concepts, build partnerships, or pilot activities, with a strong emphasis on experimentation and learning.

Funded Community Hub Seed Corn Grants

Find out more about projects that have been awarded Community Hub Seed Corn Grants.

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 Seed Corn Grant funding applications is 4%.

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 to our other schemes, 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

Seed Corn Grants are open to a wide range of organisations across the UK that are interested in exploring new approaches to community engagement with heritage. Grants are available to community groups and to GLAM and other heritage organisations working with communities.

We particularly encourage applications from smaller and grassroots groups.

Any organisation applying for a Seed Corn Grant needs to:

• Be involved in some way to the galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) or heritage sector. 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 Seed Corn 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.

What the programme can fund

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

• Staff time or freelance fees for project delivery
• Materials and supplies for workshops, exhibitions, or events
• Venue hires or equipment rental
• General organisational overheads or core running costs
• Travel and subsistence for project participants
• Community consultation or co-design activities
• Digital tools or platforms to support engagement
• Evaluation and documentation of pilot activities

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.

Application deadlines

There were two application rounds for the Seed Corn Grants: one launched in September 2025 and another in February 2026. Submission deadlines for 2025-26 panel review were:

We would expect Seed Corn Grant projects 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.

Assessment process

Scoring system

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

Portfolio balancing

Applications are reviewed by the panel using the published criteria and are considered on their individual strengths. The Community Hub will use these recommendations to help guide 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

Seed Corn grants have a single application, completed through the online form. Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Need
• Audiences, engagement and impact
• Inclusion, participation and partnership working
• 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, 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.

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Community Hub guidance: Need

Watch a YouTube video explaining how we consider 'Need' 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 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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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).

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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 another grant scheme if you are unsuccessful, with the agreement of the Community Hub team.

Managing your grant

Payment of grant

Grants will be paid upfront once a grant agreement has been signed and we have set you up on our system.

Reporting and management of funds

Grantees will also be required to provide a mid-point and 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 Seed Corn 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.