NIMC: Playful Museums Programme

Overview

This grant scheme aims to support activities that promote playful museum spaces, and programming for children under 5.  All grant-funded activities should take place during February 2026 to coincide with the Playful Museums Festival. 

The Playful Museums Festival Grant prioritises applications which clearly demonstrate that:

• The activity is specifically targeted to meet the developmental needs of babies, toddlers or preschoolers under the age of 5.
• The activity is designed to create a long-term impact for both the attendees and the museum.

NIMC is keen to support new programmes of work and can provide advice and guidance to those museums making a first-time application, as well as those that are new to early years programming.

NIMC is also committed to sustainable programming and will seek to support applications that build upon previous Playful Museum projects. 

Eligibility

The NIMC Playful Museums Festival Grant Programme is open to UK Accreditation Scheme Accredited (Full or Provisional) non-National museums in Northern Ireland who are currently members of NIMC.

NIMC supports non-Accredited museums and collections by providing training, advice and guidance. You should be a member to access these services. To join, please visit www.nimc.co.uk . 

Funding Levels & Notes

Eligible museums can apply for £500 

Should NIMC receive more fundable applications than it can support, they may offer to fund a proportion of the costs requested. 

Match Funding -  No match funding is required but they appreciate being informed of any other funding sources or in-kind contributions.

Eligible costs

 Examples of what the fund can cover:

• Facilitator costs (selecting a facilitator with experience of engaging with under 5s is advisable).
• Costs associated with both development and delivery of project, including consultations with target audiences.
• Travel costs associated with museum staff undertaking outreach activity.
• Travel costs associated with nurseries, Sure Starts etc. travelling to the museum.
• Resources, such as objects for handling boxes, sensory items, books, puzzles, toys, craft items, signage, equipment (chairs, nappy changing, mats, cushions, table or trolley).
• Online resources.
• Creation of under 5s activity space.
• Training for staff and volunteers.
• Costs associated with formative and summative impact evaluation.

If you have other ideas that aren’t listed above, please reach out to discuss in advance of submission.

Note

• Please note that all projects must be completed by before Saturday 1 March 2026.  If you are unable to meet these conditions, you should NOT apply to this scheme as NIMC will not meet any costs incurred beyond this period.
• NIMC will not pay VAT on any expenditure incurred by VAT registered organisations with the ability to reclaim VAT costs.
• The grant will be paid retrospectively on production of a project completion form and invoices/receipts.
• Once awarded, grants cannot be increased.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications must be

• Deliverable within the required timescale.
• Fully and appropriately costed.
• Able to agree to the terms and conditions of the grant award.

This fund prioritises applications which clearly demonstrate that:

• The activity is specifically targeted to meet the developmental needs of babies, toddlers and/or pre-schoolers under the age of 5.
• The activity is designed to create a long-term impact for both the attendees and the museum.