National Heritage Memorial Fund: COVID-19 Response Fund
Overview
Overview
Launched in June 2021, this funding stream offers project grants to support any heritage asset which is:
- of outstanding importance to the national heritage
- at risk due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19)
A total of £40million is being distributed by NHMF, made up of two lots of £20m:
- NHMF has made a commitment of £20m, which is available to applicants from across the UK.
- A £20m Cultural Assets Fund has been made available by DCMS as part of the government’s wider Culture Recovery Fund. This funding will safeguard nationally important heritage assets within England.
Distributing NHMF’s own commitment as a single fund with the Cultural Assets Fund will ensure a UK-wide balance of funding.
This funding is available until the end of March 2023. Expressions of Interest should be submitted before 16 January 2023.
Please note
This fund is now closed to projects in England
Funding from the government’s Cultural Assets Fund, which specifically supports nationally significant heritage in England, has now all been awarded.
Funding is still available for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
There is still funding available from NHMF’s commitment to the COVID-19 Response Fund, which is aimed at heritage in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
This funding is available up to the end of March 2023. Expressions of Interest should be submitted before 16 January 2023.
Who can apply?
- charities
- not-for-profit organisations, for example voluntary groups, trusts, social enterprises and community interest companies
- public sector organisations
What can be funded?
Any heritage asset which is of outstanding importance to the national heritage and at risk due to the impact of COVID-19 is eligible, for example:
- works of fine and decorative art
- museum collections
- archives
- manuscripts
- items of industrial, transport and maritime heritage
- historic buildings and land
Eligible associated costs include:
- acquisition/purchase costs, including associated professional fees
- transport costs, including conservation standard handling and packing for collections or heavy lift/transport costs for large items/historic vehicles
- interim storage costs and investment in new permanent storage capacity
- urgent conservation work necessary due to COVID-19 impact and investment to resolve maintenance backlog/deficit, collection care costs
- condition surveys, cataloguing, management and conservation planning
- professional fees, including legal and other fees to support asset transfer
- ownership transition costs; fixed term support to enable sustainable rehoming of heritage asset
- organisational development costs to support asset transfer; skills development/capacity building, business review and business planning support
For acquisition grants 100% of the grant is expected to be paid. For grants towards capital works, grant payment is in instalments where the last 10% of the delivery grant is held until the funder is satisfied and evidence of completion is provided.