Funding for libraries & archives
Eligibility
We support libraries and archives caring for nationally significant collections and which have a clear emphasis on public access and engagement. We usually award grants to collection storage facilities and research, education or interpretation spaces.
Your library or archive should:
- be operated by a registered charity or a local authority
- be fully accredited under the Archive Service Accreditation Scheme
- be open and accessible to the public for most of the year, with a reasonable number of visitors.
- hold a permanent collection of national significance
For organisations based in England this is generally defined as holding a Designated Outstanding Collection (Arts Council England). Where a collection is not recognised under this scheme, or a national designation scheme is not in place, you should make a strong case for the significance of the collection within a national context.
Your project should have at least one of the following aims:
- Enhanced care of collections of national significance
- Better public engagement with and understanding of collections
- Increased numbers of visitors to libraries and archives
- Improved future sustainability of the organisation
- Conservation of architectural heritage.
If your project is at a secondary school or sixth form college, please visit the page about our funding for secondary education.
Other programmes that may be of interest
What we don't fund
Examples of ineligible projects and costs include:
- Purchase of land or existing buildings (including a building’s freehold)
- Grants direct to individuals
- Grants through conduit organisations
- Overheads, maintenance costs and VAT
- Non-specific appeals (including circulars) and endowment funds
- Costs of meetings, exhibitions, concerts, expeditions, conferences, lectures, etc.
- Salary costs
- Running costs, including vehicle fuel and maintenance
- Film, websites or promotional materials
- Repayment of loans
- Projects that have already been completed or will be by the time of award.
How to apply
We run a two-stage application process.
Stage 1:
Submit your Stage 1 application via our online application system.
At this stage, we ask for a brief description of the project, including the total cost, the current funding shortfall and the proposed timetable. It is important that your application has the backing of the institution and so we ask you to confirm that you have the support of your Chief Executive or equivalent. Applications for clinical research connected to a university and an NHS Trust also should have the formal approval of the relevant university.
See the list of questions asked at Stage 1.
We also ask for audited accounts for the past two years with your online application. The accounts should relate to the ongoing underlying operating activities of the organisation itself and not a related fundraising arm or charity. We carry out a financial appraisal of all applications and we may ask you to answer specific questions or provide further financial information.
If your Stage 1 application is successful, we will invite you to submit a Stage 2 application.
Stage 2:
Stage 2 applications are by invitation only. You will be invited to submit your Stage 2 application via our online application system. Unless we have agreed otherwise, at least 25% of the capital costs of the project must be raised before you submit your Stage 2 application (unless the project cost is under £50,000) and any necessary planning permission should be in place.
Read guidance on what to include in a Stage 2 application.
Our expert reviewers read Stage 2 applications. You will have the opportunity to respond if they have further questions. Our expert panels then consider applications and make recommendations to our trustees.
If you've applied before
If we have previously awarded your organisation a grant, you will need to wait five years before submitting another application, and the new application should be for a different project. This is because our programmes are oversubscribed, and we want to support as many organisations and projects as possible. You should therefore make sure that the project that you apply for is your priority over the next five years.
Universities and large charities with more than one site may reapply more frequently. Please contact us before submitting your application to discuss your situation.
If you have been turned down at Stage 1, you can submit a new application for a different project at any time. Please make sure that your new application meets our eligibility criteria. If you have questions about whether your new project is eligible, please do contact us for advice.
If you have been turned down at Stage 2, please wait at least one year before submitting a new application for a different project.
We do not normally consider the same project twice, whether or not funding was awarded.
When to apply
We run two funding rounds each year. The key dates are:
Round 1
Open to Stage 1 applications: 20 November, 00.01
Stage 1 application deadline: 5 January, 23.59
Stage 2 application deadline: 1 March, 23.59
Funding decision: June
Round 2
Open to Stage 1 applications: 14 May, 00.01
Stage 1 application deadline: 1 July, 23.59
Stage 2 application deadline: 1 September, 23.59
Funding decision: December
If a deadline date falls during a weekend, we are happy to accept applications that arrive by 9am on the following Monday.
Grants are not made retrospectively, and so your project must be ongoing at the time that a funding decision is made (i.e. June or December).
Unless otherwise agreed, your invitation to Stage 2 will remain open for three funding rounds. If your Stage 1 application is successful, your invitation will specify the latest date on which you can submit a Stage 2 application.
Need to know
Who can apply:
Registered or exempt charity (or equivalent) or local authority
Location of applicant and project:
UK only
Funding covers:
New build, refurbishment and equipment to improve access to nationally significant collections
Minimum grant amount:
£15,000
Usual grant range:
£15,000 – £100,000
Match funding required:
Yes, if project cost is >£50,000
Decision dates:
June and December annually. Projects must not be completed before a funding decision is made
Wolfson funding programme:
Heritage, Humanities & the Arts
Ready to start application?
If you have checked you are eligible and understand the application process and timescale, you can start your application.
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