Community Hub Bursaries

Community Hub Bursaries is sponsored by GOV.UK. Grants for individuals seeking to grow their expertise in community heritage work, covering costs like training, mentoring, workshops, and other professional development activities.

This information will help us make improvements to the website. You can apply for the Community Hub bursaries scheme through an online application form: You can also download a word version of the form here . We ask that you still submit your application through the online portal, but if you have accessibility requirements that make this difficult for you please do get in contact to let us know.

Bursaries will be offered on a rolling basis from September 2025 to September 2027 and will be assessed quarterly by a panel. Submission deadlines for panel review are: Start Dates and Project length Your start date should be after the panel meeting that reflects when you submitted your application.

For example, if you submitted your application on 10th February 2026, the next distribution would be on 4th May, and therefore your start date should be after June 2026. We would expect Bursary funded projects to last between six months to a year, with scope for some variation where appropriate and justified in your application. However all projects must be completed, with all money spent, by December 2027.

Bursaries of up to £1,000 are open to individuals engaged in community heritage work, regardless of their career stage or background. Applicants do not need to be affiliated with an organisation, and you are welcome to apply as an independent practitioner. Our aim is to support those who may not have previously had access to professional development opportunities, helping to build confidence and capability across the sector.

Any individual or organisation applying to the Bursaries scheme needs to: Be involved in some way to the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) or Heritage sector. Higher education institutes and/or Independent research organisations (IROs) cannot be the lead on applications, but can be listed as partners. Be based/live in the UK (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and have the right to access public funds.

Have a UK bank account in the exact name you’re applying in. This can either be an individual’s bank account, or the organisation’s bank account that you are applying through. Not have received a Community Hub Bursary before.

Previously unsuccessful applicants can apply again with the agreement of the Community Hub team. If you were unsuccessful in a previous round of Bursary funding, you are allowed to reapply. However, we do ask that you arrange a chat with us first to discuss your original application and establish the areas for improvement.

Eligible costs include a wide range of training and development activities.

These could include, but are not limited to: Course or workshop fees, whether in-person or online Travel and accommodation expenses related to training Mentoring or coaching sessions Attendance at conferences or sector events Purchase of learning materials such as books or toolkits Costs associated with shadowing/placements in galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM organisations) The emphasis is on practical, meaningful development that enhances skills and knowledge in community heritage work.

While bursaries are designed to be flexible, costs that are not eligible are: Salaries or wages (except where directly tied to training) Equipment purchases not directly related to training Retrospective costs (i.e. activities already completed before the bursary is awarded) Subsidies to create products intended to be sold The grant may not be used for the following purposes: payments that support activity intended to influence Parliament, Government or political parties, or attempting to influence the awarding or renewal of contracts and grants or attempting to influence legislative or regulatory action.

Bursaries have a single application, completed through an online form: Applications will be assessed against the following criteria: Audiences, Engagement and Impact Each application will be scored numerically against the criteria above, according to the following scale: See our Assessment Criteria for Further Guidance: Applications will be reviewed by the panel using the published criteria and considered on their individual strengths.

The Community Hub will use these recommendations to help guide the final funding decisions, while also keeping in mind the importance of shaping a well‑rounded and inclusive portfolio from the strongest proposals. As part of this process, the Community Hub may take into account: Geographic coverage – aiming, where possible, for a broad spread of applications from across the UK.

Organisational diversity – hoping to reflect the wide range of organisations working across the GLAM and community heritage sectors. Thematic focus – seeking to support a mix of research areas and projects that explore a variety of challenges, topics, or themes Applications are assessed by a panel of experts from within the four partner institutions.

The panel members are: If you are thinking of applying for a Community Hub Bursary, or if you have any questions about the scheme in general, either contact Sophie Anstee de Mas , our Community Hub Manager, or book in a 30 minute consultation with a member of the Community Hub team.