Professional Documents
Culture Documents
International Funding Directory
International Funding Directory
International Heritage
Funding Directory
International Heritage Funding Directory
The Heritage Alliance’s first International Report charted the widespread activities of its members from Antarctica
to Venice, from China to the USA. When asked what prevented them from doing more, funding was the most
frequently cited barrier. Some members commented on the reluctance of UK charities to fund overseas study and
research.
Recommendations included a travel bursary scheme - now completing its first year with the support of the British
Council, and an event to explore international engagement and funding activities – realised through the Alliance’s
second international day in September 2019.
This International Heritage Funding Directory is a first step towards encouraging heritage NGOs and others to
take a more active role in fostering international relations through heritage and benefitting themselves in the
process. It is available in a standalone pdf and will be incorporated into the Alliance’s existing, UK wide, Heritage
Funding Directory to celebrate the 10th anniversary of that indispensable database.
Guidance on how to use this directory:
• Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and that ‘calls’ and priorities continually change so always check the website for
what is currently open.
• For ODA (Official Development Assistance) eligible countries see the ODA list here: http://www.oecd.org/dac/financing-
sustainable-development/development-finance-standards/daclist.htm
• If you have any questions about the funding sources in the International Funding Directory, please contact The Heritage
Alliance: comms@theheritagealliance.org.uk.
Name of fund Website Summary of objectives Nature of support, themes, geographic focus
A
1 The A G Leventis http://www.leventisfound The A. G. Leventis Foundation is This fund makes a systematic granting of scholarships, and
Foundation ation.org/en/ involved with a wide range of sponsorship of nature conservation and sustainable
projects across the world that development projects in Southern Europe, Africa and world-
support educational, cultural, wide.
artistic and philanthropic causes
in Cyprus, Greece and
elsewhere.
2 AHRC Arts and https://ahrc.ukri.org/fundi The AHRC promotes AHRC has its own guide at
Humanities ng/internationalfunding/ international links at many https://ahrc.ukri.org/funding/research/researchfundingguide
Research Council levels: from policy through to /
research funding and researcher and also maintains a blog Research Beyond Borders on
links. It encourages funding opportunities for international research
international engagement as an collaboration specific to UK arts and humanities researchers.
integrated part of its standard This covers not only AHRC funding but signposts other
funding schemes and operates a opportunities.
number of partnerships with
international research funders.
3 AHRC/ Global https://ahrc.ukri.org/fundi The Global Challenges Research The establishment of the Fund recognises the need for holistic
Challenges ng/internationalfunding/t Fund (GCRF) is a £1.5 billion approaches, drawing on strengths across the research base -
Research Fund he-global-challenges- fund announced by the UK including the arts and humanities - to address development
research-fund/ Government in 2016 to address challenges such as poverty reduction, improving global public
complex global development health, enhancing resilience to natural and man-made
challenges and support disasters, displaced populations, rapid urbanisation and
collaborative research that will inclusive education. Collaboration and partnership with
improve the economic overseas researchers, governments, NGOs and other
prosperity, welfare and quality organisations is a core part of the GCRF and to ensuring that
of life of people in Low and the research supported engages fully with relevant cultural
Middle Income Countries (LMIC) and historic contexts, knowledge bases, creativity, languages,
diverse voices and beliefs.
A distinct £26m funding strand
is administered through AHRC. An allocation of £26 million from GCRF allows opportunities
for the Arts and Humanities research community to
contribute. For indicative overarching themes see here.
4 Alan and Babette http://www.sfct.org.uk/ A Sainsbury Family Charitable Projects in the developing world, especially Africa, which
Sainsbury Trust, the fund prioritizes maximise educational and employment opportunities for
Charitable Trust giving to UK-based young people.
organizations, but occasionally
makes awards to organizations While it does not explicitly refuse to accept unsolicited
beyond the UK. applications, it warns such requests are “unlikely to be
successful.”
5 W F Albright http://www.aiar.org/fello The Albright Institute annually Fellowships are open to students and scholars in Near Eastern
Institute of wships/ provides up to $330,000 in studies from prehistory through the Islamic periods, including
Archaeological fellowships and awards to 32 the fields of archaeology, anthropology, art history, Bible,
Research recipients. epigraphy, historical geography, history, language, literature,
philology and religion and related disciplines. The research
period should be continuous, without frequent trips outside
the country. Residence at the Albright is required. The
Palestine Exploration Fund / Albright Institute Fellowship is
specific to Greenwich and open to doctoral and post-doctoral
researchers who are citizens of the UK or already hold the
right to remain in the UK for its duration
6 ALIPH https://www.aliph- The new Geneva-based Swiss ALIPH’s three areas of intervention are: preventive protection
(International foundation.org/en foundation is an international to limit the risks of destruction, emergency measures to
Alliance for the organization established in ensure the security of heritage, and post-conflict actions to
Protection of response to the massive enable local populations to once again enjoy their cultural
Heritage in destruction in recent years of heritage.
Conflict Areas) outstanding, often ancient,
cultural heritage, particularly in it has made 2 worldwide calls so far to support prevention,
the Sahel and the Middle East. protection and restoration projects on every scale, from the
smallest local initiatives to ambitious long-term projects.
‘To meet actual needs and be effective as a partner, ALIPH is
always willing to listen to what you have to propose’.
7 Allchurches Trust https://www.allchurches.c Supports the repair, restoration Supports projects only in UK and Ireland.
o.uk/what-we-fund and re-ordering of churches and From January 1, 2019, any registered charity, as well as any
cathedrals of all denominations, church or other exempted organisation, can apply for the
especially where these changes open grant programmes, although the purpose of the project
are aimed at encouraging wider does need to support the primary charitable object – to
community use and helping promote the Christian faith or ‘any other charitable purpose’.
those in need. The changes will also see the introduction of a new heritage
grants programme worth up to half a million pounds annually.
The first grants under this programme will focus on the
promotion of traditional craft skills.
8 Ancient India and https://www.indiran.org/ The Trust is concerned with It has a Library of over 50,000 items and organises a range of
Iran Trust the study of early South Asia, activities including conferences, public lectures and visiting
Iran and Central Asia, fellowships. The primary interest lies in prehistory,
promoting both scholarly archaeology, art history and ancient languages, often
research and popular interest extending to more modern topics and other disciplines. The
in the area. Trust offers small travel and accommodation grants to
scholars wishing to come to Cambridge and use the Trust’s
library in Cambridge.
9 Andrew W Mellon https://mellon.org/ Endeavours to strengthen, The four core program areas: Higher Education and
promote, and, where Scholarship in the Humanities; Arts and Cultural
necessary, defend the Heritage; Scholarly Communications; and International Higher
contributions of the Education and Strategic Projects. The latter supports stronger
humanities and the arts to systems of higher education and cultural institutions in
human flourishing and to the emerging as well as more established regions of the globe.
well-being of diverse and
democratic societies. It This programme stresses partnerships with institutions
supports institutions of higher already supported by the Foundation, especially on issues of
education and culture as they global grand challenges. It will provide professional and
renew and provide access to financial resources in support of teaching, learning,
an invaluable heritage of scholarship, and effective scholarly communication, and will
ambitious, path-breaking work. encourage its grantees to find ways to share the benefits of
this work with the public at large.
10 The Anna Plowden www.annaplowdentrust.o With the Clothworkers Continuing professional development (CPD) in the UK and
Trust/Clothworker rg.uk Foundation Continuing overseas, for conservators from institutions and private
s Foundation Professional Development practice, to support activities such as attendance at overseas
(CPD) Grants enable practising conferences and short courses to develop their skills,
conservators to take knowledge and networks.
advantage of CPD
opportunities
11 Arcadia Fund www.arcadiafund.org.uk Endangered Culture, Arcadia makes ‘Cultural grants to museums, archives and
Environment And Open Access universities focus on documenting endangered heritage.
Projects we fund record manuscripts and archives,
archaeological sites and artefacts, and cultural and religious
traditions at risk of being lost. We also help develop new
technologies for heritage documentation and historical
research. We enable free, online, open access to all these
materials.’ Unsolicited applications however are not accepted.
12 Art Fund www.artfund.org/supporti Help to museums and galleries Support for UK curators, museum professionals and
ng-museums/jonathan- includes providing museums researchers to undertake travel or other activities that will
ruffer-curatorial-grants and curators with funding for: extend and develop their curatorial expertise, collections-
acquisitions; training and based knowledge and art historical interests.
development; and the display of - travel and accommodation for research trips and
art through tours and conferences
exhibitions - museum and exhibition visits
- training courses and programmes of study
- books and subscriptions to add to a museum’s research
resources or library
- other kinds of activity where a strong case can be made for
its contribution to the development of curatorial skills and
collections-based research projects.
13 Art Fund/Headley https://www.artfund.org/ Aimed to provide experienced The Headley Fellowships with Art Fund are intended to give
Fellowships supporting- curators with the time and UK curators focused time to research their collections either
museums/programmes/h resources to carry out research on a full-time basis for six months or part-time over the
eadley-fellowships projects which deepen course of a year, providing funding for their posts to be
collections expertise and backfilled.
encourage the sharing of
specialist knowledge across the Fellows additionally receive funds towards their proposed
sector. training and research project which can be assigned towards
travel, training opportunities, courses of study and more.
14 ACE Arts Council www.artscouncil.org.uk/D Research and development Entry notes value of international exchange and
England YCP opportunities, building new collaboration, building skills through international exchange.
networks, creating new work.
Developing your Creative Practice programme is open to
individuals: Dancers, Choreographers, Writers, Translators,
Producers, Publishers, Editors, Musicians, Conductors,
Composers, Actors, Directors, Designers, Artists, Craft
makers, Curators.
15 ACE Arts Council www.artscouncil.org.uk/f Directory The ACE Funding Finder Directory is regularly updated to add
England unding/funding-finder new funds and remove closed programmes.
16 Association of www.aim- AIM administers grants for AIM Training Grant can aid fees, accommodation (only where
Independent museums.co.uk/for-aim- museums to help AIM distance travel is involved) and travel costs towards:
Museums (AIM) members/grants/ members with a variety of Courses, seminars and workshops, museum conferences,
needs including training, museum study visits, mentoring placements.
conservation and
development.
17 Association for https://industrial- Peter Neaverson Travel Successful applicants receive a contribution to the cost of
Industrial archaeology.org/index.ph Bursary aims to encourage the travel, accommodation and fees associated with research or
Archaeology p/aia-awards/peter- education or training of people study visits, conferences or training courses in Britain or
Peter Neaverson neaverson-awards/ studying, working or overseas.
Travel Bursary volunteering in fields related to
industrial archaeology or
industrial heritage
B
18 Bagri Foundation https://bagrifoundation.or The Foundation is dedicated to 4 main programmes:
g/ promoting the arts and culture Making Waves is a strand of activity that includes major
of Asia. Through a diverse festivals, biennials and ambitious projects that contribute to
programme of film, visual arts, a global discourse.
music, dance, literature, Springboard consists of new commissions, artistic
courses and lectures, it aims to residencies, awards and scholarships, first solo shows or
give artists and experts from series of performances in the UK,
across Asia, or those inspired Curious Minds includes courses, lectures, research-led
by the continent, wider projects and exhibitions, symposiums and exploratory series’
visibility on the global stage. or publications. In addition, it supports global research and
international partnerships that contribute to society by
undertaking in-depth explorations of global topics which
connects the arts to other disciplines.
One of a Kind is a strand of programming that provides a
space for new ideas, never-before-seen and risk-taking
projects across all disciplines, in particular, projects which
creatively weave the traditional and contemporary of Asian
culture.
19 Barakat Trust https://barakat.org/ Islamic heritage, Barakat Trust The Barakat Trust supports the study and preservation of
awards are open to applicants Islamic heritage, architecture, archaeology, art and culture by
worldwide funding students, academic research, publications,
digitisation, conservation, conferences and other projects.
20 British Academy https://www.thebritishac Supports a network of The British Academy provides government funding to seven
ademy.ac.uk/international overseas research institutes British International Research Institutes – see separate entries
/research-institutes that operate in Europe, Africa British Institute at Ankara
and the Middle East, most of British Institute in Eastern Africa
which make grants. British Institute of Persian Studies
British School at Athens
British School at Rome
Council for British Research in the Levant
Society for Libyan Studies
British Institute for the Study of Iraq
These institutes conduct research, collaborate with overseas
and UK-based partners, and provide facilities, training and
financial, academic and logistical support to researchers.
They also run events programmes, held in the UK and
overseas. All the research institutes operate as autonomous
bodies.
21 British Academy https://www.thebritishac International Programmes Various international programmes including recently:
ademy.ac.uk/international invest in excellent research Heritage, Dignity and Violence This programme funds
/programmes internationally, and bring the
social sciences and humanities research on sustainable peace and the prevention of violence
to bear on the challenges of broadly understood.
our time. Tackling the UK's International Challenges
The projects funded under this programme aim to bring new
research ideas and methods to bear on understanding the
UK’s international challenges – past, current and future.
22 British Council https://www.britishcounci The British Council is the UK’s Through the promotion of arts, English, science, and
l.org/arts/seasons cultural relations organisation. education the British Council works on high-profile
Continuous, major international festivals and seasons to introduce millions of
international programmes of people around the world to the best of UK culture and
Calls, Seasons and Themes innovation. It continually creates new opportunities for
artists and organisations to work internationally. For
currently open calls see:
https://www.britishcouncil.org/arts/seasons
https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/science/current-
opportunities
23 British Institute at https://biaa.ac.uk/ The British Institute at Ankara The BIAA provides a number of different funding
Ankara supports, enables and opportunities, grants and awards to support academics at all
encourages research in Turkey stages of their careers. These include:
and the Black Sea region in a - Research project funding
wide range of fields including - Research positions at the BIAA
archaeology, ancient and - Support for academic visits to the UK and Turkey; and
modern history, heritage Facilitation support
management, social sciences See https://biaa.ac.uk/opportunities-grants/open-calls
and contemporary issues in
public policy and political
sciences
24 British Institute http://www.bisi.ac.uk/ BISI strives to advance A range of grants and scholarships includes:
for the Study of research and public education - BISI Outreach Grants
Iraq about Iraq in all of the arts, - BISI Research and Conference Grants
humanities and social sciences - BISI Pilot Project Grants
subjects, and seeks to facilitate BISI-Nahrein Network Visiting Iraqi Scholarship Scheme.
exchange and collaboration
between UK and Iraqi
academics.
C
25 Charles Hayward www.charleshaywardfound Aims to fund projects that Includes an overseas category as part of the main grant
Foundation ation.org.uk/overseas/ improve the livelihoods of programme, awarding grants to UK registered charities
disadvantaged communities in undertaking projects in the Commonwealth Countries of
Commonwealth Countries of Africa:
Africa. Clean water and sanitation; Basic health programmes; Self
sustainability through training in farming skills and income
generation activities.
26 Churches http://www.churchescons Crafts/religious heritage Grants for Emerging Professionals is a grant scheme for young
Conservation ervation.org/ craftspeople with an interest in the conservation of religious
Foundation heritage and who wish to travel to increase their knowledge
and skills. The grant covers attendance at conferences or
seminars, study tours, or short-term internships.
27 Confucius http://english.hanban.org The global Confucius Institute There are specific funding streams available for study tours
Institutes / network supports study trips and tailored activities, and local university Confucius Institutes
and educational activities for based in UK universities can advise further on this.
people to understand more
about China and work with The Scottish Confucius Institute for Business &
colleagues in Chinese Communication (based at Heriot-Watt University) has a
universities, schools and other specific heritage and tourism-related activity workstream and
organisations. It can be can also be contacted for further
thought of very broadly as the advice: confuciusinstitute@hw.ac.uk
Chinese equivalent of the
British Council. There are 29
Institutes in the UK out of 524
worldwide.
28 Council of Europe https://eeagrants.org/Part The Council of Europe is See past examples at https://rm.coe.int/list-of-grants-1-9-
nerships/Donor- involved in 21 programmes in 2015-31-12-2018/168093cfc5
programme- 10 beneficiary countries in areas
partners/Council-of- such as justice reform,
Europe trafficking and gender-based
violence, children and youth
and social inclusion.
29 Council of Europe https://www.coe.int/en/w The European Youth Foundation Only youth NGOs from Council of Europe member states as
(European Youth eb/european-youth- (EYF) is a fund established in well as the European Cultural Convention Signatories. Belarus,
Foundation) foundation 1972 by the Council of Europe Kazakhstan and the Holy See, can apply.
to provide financial and
educational support for
European youth activities.
30 Cultural Mobility http://on-the- Series of directories to The website signposts organisations and funds as well as
Funding Network move.org/funding encourage mobility as an artist, information and tips on how and where to find funding. Some
a cultural professional and/or a guides out of date but still very useful.
cultural organisation. Europe (33 guides)
Also updates on implications of Asia (22 guides)
Brexit Arab countries (1 guide/13 countries)
USA (1 guide)
Africa (1 guide)
Latin America and the Caribbean region (2 guides)
Other world regions
Tips and resources
D
31 David Canter https://www.crafts.org.uk The David Canter Memorial Awards, made every other year, are available to those who
Memorial Fund /getdoc/92d0077e-55ea- Fund offers biennial awards to have finished their formal training and are working full or
4137-952c- give financial assistance to part-time as a maker anywhere within the UK, but need
94d7b5abbb22/2018- support those working in the money for special projects such as setting up a workshop,
DCMF-Information.aspx crafts with the development of buying equipment, or for research and travel.
their artistic practice.
32 Department for https://www.gov.uk/inter 36 different funds currently Calls include for example:
International national-development- open, with different objectives UK Aid Direct supports small and medium sized civil society
Development funding and different target countries organisations, based in the UK and overseas, to achieve
(DIfD) sustained poverty reduction and to achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals SDGs.
A distinct £26m funding strand An allocation of £26 million from GCRF allows opportunities
is administered through AHRC. for the Arts and Humanities research community to
contribute. For indicative overarching themes see
https://ahrc.ukri.org/documents/publications/global-
challenges-research-fund/.
50 Global Heritage https://globalheritagefun Global Heritage Fund works to Since 2002, GHF has helped local communities to save 28 sites
Fund d.org/ empower communities through in 19 countries with over 100 partner organizations. Its
heritage preservation, aiming to new focus is on projects that are shorter in duration and more
forge them a brighter future targeted towards immediate, on-the-ground needs.
through heritage preservation,
community empowerment, and
responsible long-term
stewardship.
51 Goethe Institut https://www.goethe.de/e The Goethe-Institut is the Residency Programmes includes calls for international
n/kul/ser/rep.html Federal Republic of Germany’s applicants.
cultural institute, active
worldwide, promoting the study
of German abroad and
encouraging international
cultural exchange.
52 The Golden Bottle https://www.hoaresbank. Arts, culture, heritage and Although 89% of the causes supported by the GBT focus their
Trust co.uk/golden-bottle-trust science work within the UK, it does support some international causes
with a global reach. For a map where the countries in which
GBT beneficiaries work, see here.
53 Grampus Heritage www.grampusheritage.co. Grampus manages various Management and promotion of European projects concerned
and Training Ltd uk/ European archaeology training with culture, heritage, archaeology and the environment and
projects and traditional skills as promoters of the Erasmus + Programme, providing funded
placements. training opportunities to UK students, recent graduates and
young workers, eg
- EASE (European Archaeology Skills Exchange);
- PEATS (Placements in Environmental, Archaeological
and Traditional Skills);
- Partnership in Rural Improvement and Development
in Europe;
Training in Agriculture and Old Crafts.
54 Grantfinder. www.grantfinder.co.uk Database for searching for Subscription required
grants
55 Gulbenkian https://gulbenkian.pt/en/ The Foundation acts in four The bulk of its activities are in Portugal but its impact is felt
Foundation areas: arts, education, science, much more widely and it is becoming increasingly
and social welfare, working with international in order to address society’s biggest problems. In
other leading European Portugal it pursues its goals through a mix of its own activities
Foundations and partners with and grants to other organisations and individuals. The
NGOs and charities. Armenian Communities Department is run from Lisbon but
acts globally seeking to preserve the ancient and unique
Armenian language, identity and culture.
66 INTO International https://intoorg.org/ INTO supports members of the The Small Grants Programme is available to INTO members
National Trusts National Trust family worldwide to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise amongst
Organisation in the achievement of their INTO member organisations.
goals by providing opportunities
to collaborate and share ideas,
resources, skills and knowledge.
67 Investindustrial http://www.investindustri InvestIndustrial, a southern Recently, the Foundation has focussed on two pillars of its
Foundation al.com/social- European industrial private broader remit: environmental protection and conservation,
responsibility/our- equity fund, supports its own and the promotion of education and diversity.
foundation.html corporate foundation which is
primarily focused on the Areas of operation are: Italy; Spain; Switzerland; throughout
promotion of education, England And Wales and the United States.
diversity, environmental
protection and conservation,
and the promotion of arts,
culture, heritage and science.
68 Iran Heritage https://www.iranheritage. The Iran Heritage Foundation is Grants may be available for research, travel, conferences and
org/grants.html a non-political UK registered workshops.
charity with the mission to
promote and preserve the
history, languages and cultures
of Iran and the Persianate
world.
J
69 John Ellerman https://ellerman.org.uk/ This gives grants for charities The focus is in the UK and UK waters, but it will also support
Foundation that make a difference to work in the UK Overseas Territories (on land and in the
people, society and the natural ocean). For work in these areas, it welcomes applications from
UK-based NGOs with local partners.
world including for Arts,
Environment and Social action.
70 JM Kaplan Fund https://www.jmkfund.org The Fund has devoted $250 The Heritage Conservation program is currently focused on
/funds/historic- million to propel fledgling the following areas: the conservation of sites of Greco-Roman
preservation/ efforts concerning civil liberties, antiquity; the protection of cultural heritage sites threatened
human rights, the arts, and the by armed conflict; and the preservation of sites that can
conservation and enhancement elevate and inform heritage practice in the United States.
of the built and natural worlds.
The Fund is active across the The Fund make grants by invitation only and does not accept
United States and beyond, unsolicited requests.
operating grant programs
focusing on the environment,
heritage conservation, and
social justice.
K
71 Kirby Laing https://www.laingfamilytr Trustees have made a decision The Trust will focus on a two strands:
Foundation usts.org.uk/about- to spend down the Foundation’s Open grants supporting the primary areas of giving which
us/kirby-laing-foundation/ capital endowment over a five include: education and youth development, focused
year period from 2018. particularly on STEM education and vocational training in
traditional crafts; culture and the environment, focussed on
improving access for young people and the disabled;
overseas development projects, with a special interest in
projects benefiting women and girls in low income countries
in Asia.
A proactive programme, focussed on themes identified from
within the broader areas outlined above. Applications are by
invitation only. One of the themes already identified is
5. Overseas Development Projects
Projects benefiting girls/young women, with a geographical
focus on Nepal and Bangladesh.
72 Leche Trust http://www.lechetrust.or The Trustees offer grants in two Includes hardship grants for PhD students from Developing
g/overseas-phd- areas: performing arts and Countries. See website for deadlines.
students.htm conservation.
73 Linbury Trust http://www.linburytrust.o A Sainsbury Family Trust, the This Trust generally does not make grants in response to
rg.uk/ Linbury Trust makes grants to unsolicited applications but has shown an interest in
organisations and towards supporting medical causes in Palestine as well as funding
causes across a broad range of scholarship and bursary programmes for South African
categories, including the Arts; students.
Education; Environment and
Heritage; Medical; Social
Welfare and Developing
Countries.
M
74 Marc Fitch Fund www.marcfitchfund.org.uk Publication And Research Can support research on British and Irish topics but does not
Awards fund the costs of getting to the UK/Ireland from overseas;
nor pay for foreign travel nor for research outside the
UK/Ireland unless the circumstances are very exceptional.
75 Marandi https://themarandifoundat The Marandi Foundation Currently supporting The Watercolour World, a charity
Foundation ion.org/ supports children’s health and working to provide online public access to watercolours of
education; and cultural history record from all over the world, and provides funding to
and art. charities that: improve outcomes and achieve systemic
change for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children,
families and communities; and seek to demonstrate and
evidence real impact; and can benefit from additional
expertise offered by the Trustees.