Heritage Protection Commissions Programme
Historic England · England
The People and Research Scheme provides grants for activities that help people understand and champion the historic environment through engagement, skills, training, education and heritage project-based posts. It also funds research activities including scientific and technical conservation, surveys and investigations, publication, archiving, toolkits and guidance. (Find a Grant)
Summary
Deadline
31 Mar 2027
Updated
16 Oct 2026
The People and Research Scheme provides grants for activities that help people understand and champion the historic environment through engagement, skills, training, education and heritage project-based posts. It also funds research activities including scientific and technical conservation, surveys and investigations, publication, archiving, toolkits and guidance. (Find a Grant)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Heritage, arts, research, education, conservation and public sector
Match funding
Not specified
Eligible applicants
Personal/individual applicants, public sector organisations, non-profit organisations, private sector organisations and local authorities
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£250 to £300,000
Total fund available
£4.7 million
Funding intensity
£250 to £300,000
Payment type
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
Historic England online Expression of Interest (EOI) and grant application process
Competitiveness
Not scored
Decision timeline
Historic England assesses the EOI against its grant priorities and eligibility criteria. Applicants are normally informed of the EOI decision within 6 weeks, although larger or more complex projects may take longer. (Historic England)
Assessment process
Historic England assesses the EOI against its grant priorities and eligibility criteria. Applicants are normally informed of the EOI decision within 6 weeks, although larger or more complex projects may take longer. (Historic England)
Application sections
Not specified
Application components
- Expression of Interest; project details; applicant information; project costs; supporting documents where relevant; full application if invited
Timeline and partners
Opening date
1 Apr 2026
Project duration
Not specified
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-24.
Key Organisational Requirements
The project must be based in England and meet at least one of Historic England's grant priorities. Projects should focus on eligible People or Research activities, such as skills and training, education, engagement, research, surveys, publications, toolkits or guidance. (Historic England)
Objectives
To improve understanding of and engagement with England's historic environment, develop sector skills and expertise, and support research and activities that contribute to the protection and sustainable management of heritage.
important notes
The former Heritage Protection Commissions Programme / Heritage Protection Commissions and Capacity Building Scheme was relaunched as People and Research in November 2025. The current scheme opened on 1 April 2026 and closes on 31 March 2027. Applications are submitted through Historic England's EOI process. (GrantMatch)
Application deadline in source document
31 March 2027
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Verification Required
- Deadline
- 31 Mar 2027
- Funding amount
- £250 to £300,000
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant funding
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Heritage, arts, research, education, conservation and public sector
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- Not specified