Grant News

Grants for Small & Medium Sized Museums to Improve the Care of their Collections (UK)

Small and medium-sized museums can apply for the Collections Care and Conservation Grants scheme to improve the care of their collections.

The scheme is run by the Association of Independent Museums and supported by the Pilgrim Trust. 

Collections Care Audits grants are provided to help smaller museums conduct professional collections care audits. The grants offer up to £1,200 to cover the cost of a three-day audit. The grants are paid retrospectively and serve as a good starting point to help smaller museums understand their collection care needs and develop future grant applications based on the recommendations of a conservator.

Eligibility criteria:

  • AIM membership
  • UK registered charity or,
  • an organisation with exempt charitable status or,
  • a recognised public body i.e. Local Authority Museum
  • small or medium sized museum (fewer than 50,000 visitors p.a.)

Larger museums can apply directly to the Pilgrim Trust for funding.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on 27 March 2026.

 

Useful Links:

Collection Care Audit Guidance

Application Hints and Tips (AI-Generated)

8th December 2025