AHRC Cultural Heritage and Climate Change Networks Call

AHRC Cultural Heritage and Climate Change Networks Call is sponsored by Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). This funding opportunity, supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), aims to support new networks of UK institutions working with European and ODA-eligible country partners, community practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.

Cultural heritage and climate change networks to drive policy change – UKRI Funding opportunity: Cultural heritage and climate change networks to drive policy change Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Award range: £45,000 - £60,000 5 August 2025 9:00am UK time 14 October 2025 4:00pm UK time Last updated: 22 September 2025 - see all updates Apply for Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) funding to maximise the international partnership brokering and networking policy opportunities of UK arts and humanities research, as a step towards the Horizon Europe Resilient Cultural Heritage Partnership.

You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding. The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £60,000. AHRC will fund 80% of the FEC.

Projects will be funded up to a maximum of 12 months and must start on 1 February 2026 and must be completed by 31 January 2027. To lead a project, you must be based at an eligible organisation. Check if your organisation is eligible .

Applications from early career researchers are particularly encouraged. We recognise the important pipeline for growing researcher capacity in the UK. Support for leadership from early career researchers and showing that you have the right skills at the right level should be clearly explained in your application.

If the project lead is an early career researcher, as defined by AHRC, a mentor can be included within the application. This mentor must be clearly outlined in the resources and cost justification section of the application form. This funding opportunity is part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment.

This is a form of government aid. The project lead and any project co-leads must be employed and supported by an eligible organisation for at least the duration of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) support; it is not a requirement that a contract be in place at the point of application submission. It is also not a requirement to have a permanent employment contract to apply for funding.

Skills and qualifications You must have the appropriate skills to lead the project in line with UKRI’s terms and conditions. There are no specific qualification requirements, and you do not necessarily need a qualification such as a PhD. During your project, you must be primarily based and permitted to work in the UK.

You do not need to hold an academic research or teaching post to apply; applications are welcomed from those working as archivists, curators, librarians, technicians, practitioners. Project co-leads are permitted and encouraged for interdisciplinary applications or where a co-lead would provide specific technical expertise that is essential to the project. This can include international co-leads as per the guidance below.

However, it must be clear that the project lead is responsible for leading the project. There is no maximum number of Co-Leads that can be included on the application. However, the inclusion of each Co-Lead needs to be fully justified in the application.

Other roles that are supported by this funding opportunity are listed in the How to Apply section below. You cannot resubmit a previous UKRI application to this funding opportunity. Who is not eligible to apply We do not support project studentships (funding PhD study) within this funding opportunity.

International researchers As AHRC is a lead funder for this funding opportunity, international researchers can apply as ‘project co-lead (international)’. You should include all other international collaborators (or UK partners not based at approved organisations) as project partners. Equality, diversity and inclusion We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants.

We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers. We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes: support for people with caring responsibilities alternative working patterns UKRI can offer disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders during the application and assessment process.

Find out more about AHRC’s equality, diversity and inclusion policy .

This funding opportunity will fund new networks comprised of UK institutions working with European partners, in-country partners in Official Development Assistance (ODA) countries, community practitioners, researchers, and policymakers for twelve months, to explore opportunities for widening cultural heritage and climate change engagement and policy across both the UK and international communities.

We welcome applications that: work with local communities to co-create solutions connect the stories, turning local narratives into global relevance work across disciplines and intergenerationally ground a project in a place to extract learnings that are transferable to other cases or policy frameworks For more information on the background of this funding opportunity, go to the Additional information section.

In the wake of human-made disasters, and the increasing risks posed to cultural heritage by climate change, the need for improved preparedness measures is a key priority for the global heritage community.

Funded as a part of UK ODA and working collaboratively with other partners such as the British Council since 2020, this partnership programme with DCMS has explored preventive and reactive measures, methods and practices that cultural heritage (and the broader arts and humanities) can provide in response to climate change threats across a broad range of communities in ODA countries (via in-country partners).

This has produced two main research outputs. The first is into safeguarding cultural heritage at risk from climate change and the second, research into how cultural heritage can support net zero and biodiversity preservation ambitions, for example through local and indigenous knowledge derived solutions.

Following the success of the original cohort, and the impacts of the programme to date, it was acknowledged that there were other programmes and funders working in this space. To coordinate and collaborate across programmes, we held several meetings with the British Council, DCMS and UNESCO-UK. These discussions culminated in a joint AHRC-British Council-DCMS-UNESCO-UK Cultural Heritage and Climate Change Event in February 2025.

The event encouraged further collaboration across programmes and projects through interactive sessions. This new funding opportunity is designed to encourage and support the forging of new or the strengthening of existing partnerships and networks with the aim of promoting the contribution of cultural heritage research to climate change policy.

It also provides a platform for all projects in the heritage sector to incorporate new and strengthen existing partnerships maintained by projects (with European partners) in ODA-eligible countries, offering networking and knowledge exchange opportunities. It will do this through the offer of a policy workshop to generate continued collegiate discussion.

A facilitated policy workshop will be arranged for September 2026 once awards have been made and project have started. The longer-term ambition is to enable UK researchers, their overseas partners, heritage professionals and organisations, and policy makers to engage with and seek funding from a new Horizon Europe ‘ Resilient Cultural Heritage Partnership ’, that AHRC, British Council, DCMS and UNESCO-UK will all be partners in.

The duration of this award is 12 months. Projects must start by 1 February 2026. The FEC of your project can be up to £60,000.

AHRC will fund 80% of the FEC. Our standard international project co-lead (international) and international funding policy applies but with some additional provisions for the costs of equitable partnership work undertaken at an overseas organisation in ODA countries (meaning all countries on the Development Assistance Country list). Costs associated with international project co-leads should be claimed at 100% under exceptions.

Please see page 20 of our Research Funding Guide for further information.

Key variations to the standard AHRC policy on international project co-lead (international) policy for this ODA funding opportunity are: There is no 30% limit on the total costs for overseas project co-lead (international) for individuals based in developing countries (on the DAC list), although a 30% limit applies to costs associated with overseas project co-lead (international) who are not based in developing countries on the DAC list.

Please refer to sections two and three of the AHRC research funding guide for details on eligibility of such costs.

In addition to the costs for overseas academic project co-lead (international), costs for third sector/NGO partners may also be funded at 100% FEC, normally subject to 30% overall limit of the total cost of an award at 100% FEC; where the 30% limit is exceeded a full justification in terms of the intellectual and practical contribution to the research of the third sector partner should be provided.

In addition, staff salaries at third sector/NGO organisations are not expected to exceed one FTE each year. A contribution towards indirect and estates costs can be made for overseas organisations within DAC list (ODA) countries, calculated at up to 20% of the total eligible direct costs charged to the grant directly relating to the activities of the ODA project co-lead (international).

However, in line with the standard AHRC project co-lead (international) policy, estates/indirect/overhead costs cannot be requested for international project co-lead (international)’s employed by academic organisations which are not based in a DAC list country (meaning research organisations located in developed countries and their subsidiaries).

ODA indirect and estates costs must be included within the overall £60,000 limit (at 100% FEC) for applications under this highlight notice.

Please note that as indirect costs can be claimed for overseas project co-lead (international) s it is not possible to request direct costs to cover basic office and facilities (for example, library access) and minor/day-to-day consumables (for example, photocopying, telephone calls) although major additional research related costs (for example, linked to specific research methods such as survey/fieldwork costs or development of project-specific digital resources) may be requested as direct costs where appropriate.

However, please note that project co-leads (international) and other partners from countries due to graduate from the DAC list may be included in applications but will be expected to be costed in line with our standard project co-lead (international) policy and not the enhanced funding available to other project co-lead (international)/partners from DAC list countries.

Please ensure budget breakdowns between high income, ODA researchers and partners are justified and appropriate in respect to the equitable partnership aims of this ODA funding scheme.

The UK has committed to aligning ODA spending with the Paris Agreement , which in practical terms means: using an appropriate carbon price in relevant bilateral programme appraisal ensuring any investment support for fossil fuels affecting emissions is in line with the Paris Agreement temperature goals and transition plans implementing a proportionate approach to climate risk assurance ensuring that relevant programmes do not undermine the ambition in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and adaptation plans In implementing the project, you agree to adhere to these requirements, working with officials in AHRC and DCMS in applying these rules.

To comply with these requirements, we are looking for: projects willing to forge new or enhance existing collaborations and partnerships through universities, European partners and in-country partners to support research-related knowledge exchange and policy impact activities, capitalising on cross-pollination of ideas from the event.

Projects must have at least one European partner, alongside their ODA in-country partners projects that are interested in driving cultural heritage research into meaningful policy impacts in combating climate change projects which collaborate on policy to enact meaningful change project networks with scalable and sustainable funding plans.

Projects with existing partnerships must explicitly demonstrate how they will grow/expand these partnerships to include European and ODA partners Where mentoring is included, salary costs to cover the mentor’s time can be claimed from the grant. Mentor’s time should be built into the budget as a directly allocated cost and entered in the application form in the other directly allocated costs section.

Costs may be included to support inclusive participation in development impact activities, for example in terms of translation costs or support for carers. These may be incurred by either the UK or ODA partners as appropriate. Where possible accessible venues and facilities should be selected; please note that infrastructure costs cannot be requested for example to make structural alterations to venues/sites for improved accessibility.

projects that propose a continuation or duplication of their original research and do not collaborate with other projects UK only focused projects – projects must have existing or create new European and in-country partnerships research that does not promote a DAC list country provision of direct development aid or emergency assistance, supplies or equipment Supporting skills and talent We encourage you to follow the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and the Technician Commitment .

Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) UKRI is committed in ensuring that effective international collaboration in research and innovation takes place with integrity and within strong ethical frameworks.

Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) is a UKRI work programme designed to help protect all those working in our thriving and collaborative international sector by enabling partnerships to be as open as possible, and as secure as necessary. Our TR&I Principles set out UKRI’s expectations of organisations funded by UKRI in relation to due diligence for international collaboration.

As such, applicants for UKRI funding may be asked to demonstrate how their proposed projects will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help proportionately reduce these risks. See further guidance and information about TR&I , including where you can find additional support.

We are running this funding opportunity on the new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service so please ensure that your organisation is registered. You cannot apply on the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system. The project lead is responsible for completing the application process on the Funding Service, but we expect all team members and project partners to contribute to the application.

Only the lead research organisation can submit an application to UKRI. Select ‘Start application’ near the beginning of this Funding finder page. Confirm you are the project lead.

Please allow at least 10 working days for your organisation to be added to the Funding Service. We strongly suggest that if you are asking UKRI to add your organisation to the Funding Service to enable you to apply to this opportunity, you also create an organisation Administration Account. This will be needed to allow the acceptance and management of any grant that might be offered to you.

Answer questions directly in the text boxes. You can save your answers and come back to complete them or work offline and return to copy and paste your answers. If we need you to upload a document, follow the upload instructions in the Funding Service.

All questions and assessment criteria are listed in the How to apply section on this Funding finder page. Allow enough time to check your application in ‘read-only’ view before sending to your research office. Send the completed application to your research office for checking.

They will return it to you if it needs editing. Your research office will submit the completed and checked application to UKRI. Where indicated, you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant.

When including images, you must: provide a descriptive caption or legend for each image immediately underneath it in the text box (this must be outside the image and counts towards your word limit) insert each new image on a new line use files smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format Images should only be used to convey important visual information that cannot easily be put into words.

The following are not permitted, and your application may be rejected if you include: sentences or paragraphs of text excessive quantities of images A few words are permitted where the image would lack clarity without the contextual words, such as a diagram, where text labels are required for an axis or graph column.

For more guidance on the Funding Service, see: how applicants use the Funding Service how research offices use the Funding Service how reviewers use the Funding Service References should be included within the word count of the appropriate question section. You should use your discretion when including references and prioritise those most pertinent to the application. Hyperlinks can be used in reference information.

When including references, you should consider how your references will be viewed and used by the assessors, ensuring that: references are easily identifiable by the assessors references are formatted as appropriate to your research persistent identifiers are used where possible General use of hyperlinks Applications should be self-contained. You should only use hyperlinks to link directly to reference information.

You must not include links to web resources to extend your application. Assessors are not required to access links to conduct assessment or recommend a funding decision. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) Use of generative AI tools to prepare funding applications is permitted, however, caution should be applied.

For more information see our policy on the use of generative AI in application and assessment . AHRC must receive your application by 14 October 2025 at 4:00pm UK time. You will not be able to apply after this time.

Make sure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines. Following the submission of your application to the funding opportunity, your application cannot be changed, and applications will not be returned for amendment. If your application does not follow the guidance, it may be rejected.

AHRC, as part of UKRI, will need to collect some personal information to manage your Funding Service account and the registration of your funding applications. We will handle personal data in line with UK data protection legislation and manage it securely. For more information, including how to exercise your rights, read our privacy notice .

AHRC, as part of UKRI, will need to share the application and any personal information that it contains with DCMS so that they can participate in the assessment process. For more information on how DCMS uses personal information, read the Government Digital Service Privacy notice . If you or a core team member need to tell us something you wish to remain confidential, email operations@ahrc.

ukri. org Include in the subject line: [the funding opportunity title; sensitive information; your Funding Service application number].

Typical examples of confidential information include: individual is unavailable until a certain date (for example due to parental leave) additional information about eligibility to apply that would not be appropriately shared in the ‘Applicant and team capability’ section conflict of interest for UKRI to consider in reviewer or panel participant selection the application is an invited resubmission For information about how UKRI handles personal data, read UKRI’s privacy notice .

AHRC, as part of UKRI, will publish the outcomes of this funding opportunity at AHRC Board and panel outcomes . If your application is successful, we will publish some personal information on the UKRI Gateway to Research . In plain English, provide a summary we can use to identify the most suitable experts to assess your application.

We usually make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, therefore do not include any confidential or sensitive information.

Make it suitable for a variety of readers, for example: the wider research community Guidance for writing a summary Clearly describe your proposed work in terms of: the challenge the project addresses potential applications and benefits List the key members of your team and assign them roles from the following: project co-lead (UK) (PcL) project co-lead (international) (PcL (I)) professional enabling staff research and innovation associate Only list one individual as project lead.

UKRI has introduced a new addition to the ‘Specialist’ role type. Public contributors such as people with lived experience can now be added to an application. Find out more about UKRI’s core team roles in funding applications .

What are you hoping to achieve with your proposed work?

What the assessors are looking for in your response Explain how your proposed work: is of excellent quality and importance within or beyond the field(s) or area(s) has the potential to advance current understanding, generates new knowledge, thinking or discovery within or beyond the field/area is timely given current trends, context and needs impacts world-leading research, society, the economy or the environment will embed EDI considerations into, and how these will guide your aims, as well as other activities such as stakeholder engagement, events and networking References may be included within this section.

You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.

Within the Vision section we also expect you to: describe the concept, context and coordination function of your project if applicable, demonstrate the alignment of the application to the funding opportunity objectives clearly state the research challenges that you will address How are you going to deliver your proposed work?

What the assessors are looking for in your response Explain how you have designed your approach so that it: is effective and appropriate to achieve your objectives is feasible, and comprehensively identifies any risks to delivery and how they will be managed if applicable, uses a clearly written and transparent methodology if applicable, summarises the previous work and describes how this will be built upon and progressed will maximise translation of outputs into outcomes and impacts describes how your, and if applicable your team’s, research environment (in terms of the place and relevance to the project) will contribute to the success of the work will build EDI considerations into the formation, operation and governance of the hub, including how these will be operationalised References may be included within this section.

You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.

Within the Approach section we also expect you to: provide a detailed and comprehensive project plan including milestones and timelines include a detailed and appropriate plan for how you will acquire and manage data explain how the partnership will be planned and managed, and how it will enable stakeholders to work together, network and build capability in a strategic area outline future plans for sustaining the partnership beyond this application, or for funding research which may develop from the partnership Applicant and team capability to deliver Why are you the right individual or team to successfully deliver the proposed work?

What the assessors are looking for in your response Evidence of how you, and if relevant your team, have: the relevant experience (appropriate to career stage) to deliver the proposed work the right balance of skills and expertise to cover the proposed work the appropriate leadership and management skills to deliver the work and your approach to develop others contributed to developing a positive research environment and wider community The word limit or this section is 1,650 words, 1,150 words to be used for R4RI modules and, if necessary, a further 500 words for Additions.

Use the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format to showcase the range of relevant skills you, and if relevant your team (project and project co-leads, researchers, technicians, specialists, partners and so on) have and how this will help to deliver the proposed work. You can include individuals’ specific achievements but only choose past contributions that best evidence their ability to deliver this work.

Complete this section using the R4RI module headings listed below. Use each heading once and include a response for the whole team, see the UKRI guidance on R4RI .

You should consider how to balance your answer, and emphasise where appropriate the key skills each team member brings: contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies, or knowledge the development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships contributions to the wider research and innovation community contributions to broader research or innovation users and audiences and towards wider societal benefit Provide any further details relevant to your application.

This section is optional and can be up to 500 words. You should not use it to describe additional skills, experiences or outputs, but you can use it to describe any factors that provide context for the rest of your R4RI (for example, details of career breaks if you wish to disclose them). You should complete this section as a narrative.

Do not format it like a CV. The roles in funding applications policy has descriptions of the different project roles. Ethics and responsible research and innovation (RRI) What are the ethical and RRI implications and issues relating to the proposed work?

If you do not think that the proposed work raises any ethical or RRI issues, explain why.

What the assessors are looking for in your response Demonstrate that you have identified and evaluated: the relevant ethical or responsible research and innovation considerations how you will manage these considerations If you are collecting or using data you should identify: any legal and ethical considerations of collecting, releasing and storing the data (including consent, confidentiality, anonymisation, security and other ethical considerations and, in particular, strategies to not preclude further reuse of data) formal information standards that your proposed work will comply with You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant.

Further details are provided in the Funding Service. International collaboration Does the proposed work involve any international collaboration or engagement?

What the assessors are looking for in your response Provide details about your expected international collaboration or engagement, including: a list of the countries your international project co-leads, project partners, visiting researchers, or other collaborators are based in details of any subcontractors or service providers If your proposed work does not involve international collaboration or engagement, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.

Official Development Assistance (ODA): compliance eligibility How does your proposed work meet ODA compliance eligibility?

What the assessors are looking for in your response To demonstrate how your proposed work meets ODA compliance criteria, please explain: which country or countries on the DAC list will directly benefit from this proposal how your proposal is directly and primarily relevant to the development challenges of these countries how you expect the outcomes of your proposed activities will promote the economic development and welfare of a country or countries on the DAC list how the proposed activity is appropriate to address the development need the approaches you will use to deliver development impact within the lifetime of the project and in the longer term, considering the potential outcomes, the key beneficiary and stakeholder groups and how they will be engaged to enable development impact to be achieved This funding opportunity is part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment.

This is government aid that promotes and specifically targets the economic development and welfare of developing countries as its primary objective. You should ensure that their proposal focuses on the challenges specific to the partner country or countries and not broader global issues, meaning those that are transboundary beyond low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

It is accepted that ODA-funded research may have benefits to the UK or other high-income countries, however, these should be secondary to be development objectives of the project. You should consider whether these countries are likely to continue to be eligible for the duration of the research, noting that ODA funding cannot be used to support research that does not promote a DAC list country.

You should note there may be eligibility restrictions specific to the opportunity you are applying to. You should refer to the Funding Finder to confirm eligibility before applying. When assessing whether an activity is eligible for ODA funding under this funding opportunity, AHRC will consider whether projects satisfy OECD criteria on eligibility .

Your application must be fully ODA compliant to be considered for funding. Initial ODA compliance checks will be carried out by UKRI. Proposals that do not meet the eligibility criteria may be rejected.

Panellists will also be provided with this guidance and asked to comment on ODA compliance and likelihood of significant development impact. ODA Gender Equality Statement How does your proposed work demonstrate sufficient consideration of gender equality?

What the assessors are looking for in your response Provide a Gender Equality Statement that explains: how measures have been put in place to ensure equal and meaningful opportunities for people of different genders to be involved throughout the project, including the development of the project, the participants of the research and innovation and the beneficiaries of the research and innovation the expected impact of the project (benefits and losses) on people of different genders, both throughout the project and beyond the impact on the relations between people of different genders and people of the same gender.

For example, changing roles and responsibilities in households, society, economy, politics, power and so on how any risks and unintended negative consequences on gender equality will be avoided or mitigated against, and monitored if there are any relevant outcomes and outputs being measured, with data disaggregated by age and gender (where disclosed) UKRI/AHRC and expert panellists will assess whether your proposal has demonstrated sufficient consideration of gender equality.

Resources and cost justification What will you need to deliver your proposed work and how much will it cost?

What the assessors are looking for in your response Justify the application’s more costly resources, in particular: significant travel for field work or collaboration (but not regular travel between collaborating organisations or to conferences) any equipment that will cost more than £25,000 any consumables beyond typical requirements, or that are required in exceptional quantities all facilities and infrastructure costs all resources that have been costed as ‘Exceptions’ international collaboration costs You can request costs associated with reasonable adjustments where they increase as a direct result of working on the project.

For further information see Disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders. Assessors are not looking for detailed costs or a line-by-line breakdown of all project resources.

Overall, they want you to demonstrate how the resources you anticipate needing for your proposed work: are comprehensive, appropriate, and justified represent the optimal use of resources to achieve the intended outcomes maximise potential outcomes and impacts Add details