Apply for a Community Hub Skills Bursary

About Community Hub Skills Bursaries

Programme context

The Spaces, Places and Belonging (SPB) Community Hub is 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.

This bursary scheme will offer grants of up to £1,000 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. Bursaries are designed to be accessible and responsive, helping to build confidence and capability across the UK, particularly among those who may not have had access to such opportunities before.

Funded Community Hub Skills Bursaries

Find out more about all projects that have been awarded Community Hub Skills Bursaries.

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 Skills Bursary funding applications is 12%.

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

Bursaries of up to £1,000 are open to individuals engaged in community heritage work, regardless of their career stage or background. Applicants do not need to be affiliated with an organisation, and you are welcome to apply as an independent practitioner. Our aim is to support those who may not have previously had access to professional development opportunities, helping to build confidence and capability across the sector.

Any individual or organisation applying to the Bursaries scheme 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/live in the UK (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and have the right to access public funds.
• Have a UK bank account in the exact name you’re applying in. This can either be an individual’s bank account, or the organisation’s bank account that you are applying through.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Not have received a Community Hub Skills Bursary before.

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 a previous round of bursary funding, you are allowed to reapply. 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 costs include a wide range of training and development activities. These could include, but are not limited to:

• Course or workshop fees, whether in-person or online
• Travel and accommodation expenses related to training
• Mentoring or coaching sessions
• Attendance at conferences or sector events
• Purchase of learning materials such as books or toolkits
• Costs associated with shadowing/placements in galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM organisations)

The emphasis is on practical, meaningful development that enhances skills and knowledge in community heritage work. While bursaries are designed to be flexible, costs that are not eligible are:

• Salaries or wages (except where directly tied to training)
• Equipment purchases not directly related to training
• Retrospective costs (i.e. activities already completed before the bursary 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

Community Hub Skills Bursaries will be offered on a rolling basis from September 2025 to September 2027 and will be assessed quarterly by a panel.

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 February 2026, the next distribution would be on 4 May, and therefore your start date should be after June 2026.

We would expect Bursary funded projects to last between six months to a 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 Skills Bursary using the online application form. To help you prepare your application, a range of useful guidance documents can be downloaded below.

Please email 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 Skills Bursary, 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

Community Hub Skills Bursaries have a single application, completed through the online form. Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Need
• Audiences, engagement and impact
• Knowledge sharing

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 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.

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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

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.

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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 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.

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Community Hub guidance: Knowledge sharing

Watch a YouTube video explaining how we consider 'Knowledge sharing' 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 Skills Bursary, 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. For Community Hub Skills Bursaries, we can pay into either an individual bank account or into the bank account of the organisation you are applying through.

Reporting and management of funds

Grantees will be required to provide 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 Skills Bursary, 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.