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    National Heritage Memorial Fund

    The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) has been awarding grants to safeguard the UK’s most important heritage since 1980. As a fund of last resort, NHMF has helped save thousands of our most-loved treasures from being lost forever. Taken together, these treasures form a UK-wide memorial in honour of those who have given their lives to the country. NHMF can help buy anything which is of outstanding importance to the national heritage and either at risk or of memorial character. For example, works of fine or decorative art, museum collections, archives, manuscripts, items of transport and industrial history or historic buildings and land.

    Opening date 1 Apr 2024, 12:00AM

    Closing date 1 Apr 2025, 12:00AM

    NHMF can help fund heritage projects of all sizes. There is no limit to the percentage of funding that can be applied for.

    However, as NHMF operates as a fund of last resort, you must be able to prove that you have explored, or are exploring, all other possible sources of funding.

    We can only consider paying the total costs of a project in exceptional circumstances.

    The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) has been awarding grants to safeguard the UK’s most important heritage since 1980. 

    As a fund of last resort, NHMF has helped save thousands of our most-loved treasures from being lost forever. Taken together, these treasures form a UK-wide memorial in honour of those who have given their lives to the country.

    Is this funding right for you? 

    • Are you applying for funding to support a nationally important heritage asset in the UK? 

    • Have you explored all other sources of funding? 

    • Will the heritage asset be publicly accessible if you secure NHMF funding? 

    • Are you a not-for-profit organisation? 

    If you have answered yes to the above questions, this fund is for you.

    What we can fund

    NHMF can help buy anything which is of outstanding importance to the UK's heritage and either at risk or of memorial character. For example:

    • works of fine and decorative art

    • museum collections

    • archives

    • manuscripts

    • items of transport and industrial history

    • historic buildings and land

    In exceptional circumstances, NHMF can fund emergency repairs when a heritage asset (excluding historic buildings and structures) is at imminent risk of irreparable damage.

    What you can’t apply for

    • restoration costs, aside from emergency repairs

    • the creation of replicas

    • yearly revenue funding

    • day-to-day running costs or maintenance

    • the costs of payroll staff

    • development studies

    • research projects

    • costs of general furniture, fittings and equipment

    • we will not normally consider items which are less than 10 years old

    • costs which have already been spent. For example, we cannot reimburse individuals or organisations for items that have been paid for or secured with a down payment or deposit.

    Who can apply

    We accept applications from:

    • Charities (voluntary and public)

    • Not-for-profit organisations

    • Public bodies

    Who cannot apply

    • Private individuals

    • Commercial businesses

    Over the last 40 years we have funded some of the most remarkable heritage for the UK public to enjoy and explore. You can find out more about our heritage and the heritage treasures that NHMF has helped to save on our news page or our project archive.

    Before you apply

    Public access

    It is essential that all heritage items we support will be made publicly accessible. Your application should demonstrate how your acquisition of the item will provide new opportunities for the public to access it.

    If an object is too fragile for long-term display or unrestricted access to land or a building could put it at risk, then managed or restricted access can be considered.

    Acknowledgement

    It is essential that all NHMF support is acknowledged on any display, interpretation, digital material/websites or hard copy information about your project.

    Government sanctions

    You must follow all legislation and regulations that apply to your project – this includes the current economic sanctions against Russia.

    Who can apply

    We accept applications from:

    • Charities (voluntary and public)

    • Not-for-profit organisations

    • Public bodies

    Who cannot apply

    • Private individuals

    • Commercial businesses

    Importance to the national heritage

    Your project must be concerned with buying, maintaining or preserving objects, collections, buildings or land that are of particular importance to the national heritage of the UK.

    Outstanding interest

    The item/s must also be in some way outstanding. This could be because of rarity, quality, association with a historic figure or event or designations.

    And either:

    At risk

    The role of the Fund is specifically to save items that are at risk. Therefore you must be able to prove that the item/s will be at risk in some way should you not be able to acquire them.

    or

    Memorial character

    Items that have a direct link with conflicts or those who lost their lives during them, are given special consideration. Such items still have to meet NHMF’s essential criteria, but they do not have to be at risk.

    We do not define heritage, importance or risk - it is up to applicants to make the case for each.

    Other considerations

    Cost

    • The price of the item you wish to buy must not exceed the current market value.

    • Applicants must commission an independent valuation and submit it with their application. NHMF will also commission our own independent valuation.

    • Valuations are not required for export-stopped items or those declared treasure.

    • You must be able to demonstrate that you can provide an appropriate, permanent and secure home for your chosen item/s.

    Making an application

    You can apply for a grant whenever you are ready.Our application pack explains our criteria for funding, helps you to apply for a grant and gives guidance on filling out the application form.Download the application pack:NHMF standard funding stream application guidance pack.pdf 

    Submitting an Expression of Interest

    The first step in making an application to NHMF is to submit an Expression of Interest using our online portal. After you have submitted your Expression of Interest, we will contact you within 10 days with feedback. If a full application is recommended, we will release the application form for you to complete.

    Assessment

    We will assess your application and it will go to our next available Board meeting for a decision.

    All decisions on NHMF awards are taken by our Board of Trustees. The board meets monthly, excluding July and August.

    Urgent cases

    We consider urgent cases to be those with a fixed deadline for purchase. Our assessment process normally takes three months from application to decision.

    Non-urgent cases

    For non-urgent cases, our assessment process normally takes six months from application to decision.

    Permission to start

    If your application is successful, you will be sent a grant contract to fill out and return. You must also complete our Permission to Start form. You should not start your project until you have received our approval through Permission to Start.

    Our receiving a grant guidance will help you receive your payment and update us on your progress.

    Read the receiving a grant guidance:

    NHMF Receiving a grant.pdf

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