The National Archives provides grants for skills, innovation and engagement in the archives sector.

In support of Archives Unlocked, the UK government’s vision for archives established in 2017, the National Archives provides grants for skills, innovation and engagement in the archives sector.

The Research and Innovation Grants programme offers grants for organisations to conduct research, innovate and create transformative projects that will contribute to building a sustainable and innovative archives sector. Projects should focus on addressing digital transformation, environmental sustainability and inclusive practice in the archives sector, and may cover the following themes:

• Archives may have identified a problem or research question in their practice, that they have an idea about how to solve.
• Archives may want to explore new technologies, devices or products, in their archives service.
• Archives may wish to connect with others, to increase their own capacity for research and innovation.

Applications are open to archivists and heritage professionals working with archival collections in England or Wales. They may be associated with all public sector bodies, not-for-profit organisations including registered charities, and for-profit organisations including business archives.

Grants of up to £10,000 will be awarded.

Applications open on 11 August 2025 and should be submitted by 12 September 2025.