COVID-19 Response Funding for UK National Heritage Assets

Funding is available to community and public sector organisations in the UK for projects to protect nationally important heritage assets that are at risk due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The £40 million COVID-19 Response Fund, distributed by the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF), is open for applications.

Applications will be accepted from charities, non-profit organisations and public sector organisations with responsibility for an asset of outstanding importance to the UK’s national heritage which is at risk due to the impact of COVID-19.

Funding is intended to support any heritage asset which may be at risk, including:

  • Works of fine and decorative art
  • Museum collections
  • Archives
  • Manuscripts
  • Items of industrial, transport and maritime heritage
  • Historic buildings and land

Eligible costs and activities 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

There are no minimum or maximum levels of grant. However, NHMF operates as a fund of last resort – applicants must show that they have explored, or are exploring, all other possible sources of funding, including their own resources.

Applications may be made at any time until the fund’s final closing date of 30 April 2023.