Community Hub Bursaries
The National Archives, as lead organisation for the Spaces, Places and Belonging Community Hub, in partnership with Leeds Museums & Galleries, the National Library of Wales and the Community Archives & Heritage Group. The programme is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). (Find a Grant) · United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (Find a Grant)
The Community Hub Bursaries scheme provides grants of up to £1,000 for individuals seeking to develop their expertise in community heritage work. Funding can support training, mentoring, workshops and other professional development activities related to heritage and community engagement. (Find a Grant)
Summary
Deadline
3 Jul 2027
Updated
16 Oct 2026
The Community Hub Bursaries scheme provides grants of up to £1,000 for individuals seeking to develop their expertise in community heritage work. Funding can support training, mentoring, workshops and other professional development activities related to heritage and community engagement. (Find a Grant)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM), heritage and community heritage
Match funding
Not specified
Eligible applicants
Individuals engaged in community heritage work, including independent practitioners. Applicants do not need to be affiliated with an organisation. (Find a Grant)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Grants of up to £1,000 per bursary. (Find a Grant)
Total fund available
The Community Hub programme provides over £550,000 across three grant schemes: Seed Corn Grants, Skills Bursaries and Project Grants. (National Archives)
Funding intensity
Grants of up to £1,000 per bursary. (Find a Grant)
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible expenses
- Course or workshop fees, travel and accommodation related to training, mentoring or coaching, conferences or sector events, learning materials such as books and toolkits, and costs associated with shadowing or placements in GLAM organisations. (Find a Grant)
Ineligible costs
- Salaries or wages except where directly related to training, equipment purchases not directly related to training, retrospective costs, subsidies for products intended for sale, and activities intended to influence Parliament, Government, political parties, contracts, grants, legislation or regulation. (National Archives)
Application and risks
Application platform
Online application form through the Community Hub / National Archives website. (National Archives)
Competitiveness
Not scored
Decision timeline
Applications are assessed quarterly by a panel of experts from the Community Hub partner institutions. The panel considers applications against the published criteria and portfolio considerations. (National Archives)
Assessment process
Applications are assessed quarterly by a panel of experts from the Community Hub partner institutions. The panel considers applications against the published criteria and portfolio considerations. (National Archives)
Application sections
Not specified
Application components
- A single online application covering the proposed development activity and information required for assessment against the published criteria.
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
- Need; Audiences, Engagement and Impact; and Knowledge Sharing. Applications are scored against these criteria. (National Archives)
Timeline and partners
Opening date
15 Sept 2025
Project duration
Bursary-funded projects are generally expected to last between 6 months and 1 year, with some flexibility where justified. All projects must be completed and all funding spent by December 2027. (National Archives)
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-24.
Grant Name
Community Hub Bursaries
Key Organisational Requirements
Applicants must be involved in the GLAM or heritage sector; be based in or live in the UK and have the right to access public funds; have a UK bank account in the exact name used for the application; and be at least 18 years old. Applicants must not have previously received a Community Hub Bursary. (Find a Grant)
Objectives
To build confidence, skills and capability in community heritage work and help make learning and innovation from community-facing heritage projects more sustainable, transferable and accessible across the UK GLAM and heritage sectors. (Find a Grant)
Important Notes
The bursaries are offered on a rolling basis and assessed quarterly. Applicants can apply as independent practitioners and do not need to be affiliated with an organisation. Previously unsuccessful applicants may apply again with agreement from the Community Hub team, but anyone who has already received a Community Hub Bursary cannot apply for another. (Find a Grant)
Application Rounds
Applications are assessed quarterly. The current published timetable shows Round 5: 4 August 2026 to 2 November 2026, with the panel meeting in December 2026. Further rounds continue through 2027. (National Archives)
Application deadline in source document
3 July 2027, 11:59pm (Midnight) according to the current GOV.UK Find a Grant listing. (Find a Grant)
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- 3 Jul 2027
- Funding amount
- Grants of up to £1,000 per bursary. (Find a Grant)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Bursary / professional development grant
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM), heritage and community heritage
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- Not specified