Aims/Priorities: The funding is intended for the cataloguing of archives, to ensure that significant archive collections, representing the lives and perspectives of all people across the UK, are made accessible to the public for research and enjoyment.
Who can apply? Applications will be accepted from organisations with archival collections in the UK including: public sector bodies, registered charities, and other not-for-profit organisations.
Eligible not-for-profits include those that are regulated by the Charity Commission, including Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), Charitable Trusts, and Companies Limited by Guarantee (as long as they have charitable status and are regulated by the Charity Commission).
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have access to professional archival expertise from a qualified archivist.
- Make their collections accessible to people outside of their organisation for at least ten years, following the conclusion of the grant-funded project.
The funding can support organisations with owned or deposited collections, providing they can provide a commitment from the depositor that the collection will not be withdrawn from public access or sold within 10 years of the project end date.
Partnership and consortium bids are welcomed.
Grant Amount: Grants of up to £50,000 are available. Around 30 grants are awarded each year.
At least 20% of the grant award must be allocated to engagement activities using the catalogued collection.
The grant will fund projects lasting up to two years.
Application Process: The grant programme runs twice per year, usually in the Autumn and the Spring. It is a single application process. The programme is highly competitive. Typically around 100 applications are received, of which around 15 full grants will be awarded in each grant round.
There are five application rounds for the period 2024 - 2026:
- Round 3 opens on 1 September 2025 with a deadline of 9 October 2025. The panel will meet in January 2026.
- Round 4 opens on 16 March 2026 with a deadline of 30 April 2026. The panel will meet in July 2026.
- Round 5 opens on 31 August 2026 with a deadline of 1 October 2026. The panel will meet in December 2026.
Contact the National Archives for further information.
Deadline: Thursday 9 October 2025.
Contact Information: archivegrants@nationalarchives.gov.uk
Website: Cataloguing Grant - Portals