Scoping Grants
Archives Revealed is the only grant programme in the United Kingdom (UK) dedicated to the unlocking of archival collections. The programme is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Pilgrim Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and The National Archives. The goal of Archives Revealed is to ensure that significant archive collections, representing the lives and perspective of all people across the UK, are made accessible to the public for research and enjoyment. The Scoping Grants programme funds an independent consultant to produce an expert collections report (or scoping report) on a full or partial archival collection, for which the contents are unknown in detail, but which is significant and of interest to the public.
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Contents
Summary
Archives Revealed is the only grant programme in the United Kingdom (UK) dedicated to the unlocking of archival collections. The programme is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Pilgrim Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and The National Archives. The goal of Archives Revealed is to ensure that significant archive collections, representing the lives and perspective of all people across the UK, are made accessible to the public for research and enjoyment.
Scoping Grants provide funding for independent consultants to ‘scope’ a collection. Scoping of a collection provides an overview report – it is not a substitute or replacement for a full item-by-item catalogue, but can be amongst the first steps needed to successfully manage and create access to your collection. The Scoping Grant report is envisioned to be a document that you will be able to use strategically, to plan next steps in the management of your collection and advocate internally and externally for support for your project.
You may be interested in applying for a Scoping Grant if the following statements apply to your collection:
You have a collection that you believe has the potential to be of public benefit.
You are unsure of the most effective way to target your resources, to realise the potential impact of your collection.
You will be able to ensure free public access to the collection in the future – either directly or in collaboration with another organisation.
You would like to develop a plan to move towards a cataloguing project or would like to scope the potential of the collection for a cataloguing project.
You are keen to understand how your collection might be used to engage with new or existing audiences for your archives.
Each Scoping Grant usually funds six days of consultancy, with three days spent with the collection and three on report-writing and revisions. Archives Revealed recognises that there is significant diversity in the nature, collections and needs of organisations applying for a Scoping Grant – therefore we encourage all grantees to discuss their specific circumstances with shortlisted consultants, before starting a project. Usually, a Scoping Grant report will contain at least the following information about the management and development of your collection:
an overview of the current status of the collection;
analysis of its overall condition, significance, existing and potential use, levels of access, and existing documentation;
a conclusion, with recommendations about next steps and development goals for the service.
Eligibility
This programme can fund most organisations with an archival collection including deposited collections, which are able to provide access to the collection for the public in the UK for at least ten years following the grant’s completion.
Archives are rich sources of information and Archives Revealed does not make a distinction between physical or digital (or mixed) collections. An archive collection is one that holds unique records, which can be of local, national and international importance and are often themed by place or thematic area of interest. To find out more about what an archive collection is, please visit: What are archives? – The National Archives.
For the purposes of Archives Revealed, we use the definition of an archive collection as used within the Archive Service Accreditation Scheme:
“Materials created or received by a person, family or organisation, public or private, in the conduct of their affairs and preserved because of the enduring value contained in them or as evidence of the functions and responsibilities of their creator, especially those materials maintained using the principles of provenance, original order and collective control; permanent records.”
It is not mandatory to be an accredited archive, to apply for a Scoping Grant.
While usually thought of as handwritten or typed documents on paper, archives also commonly include: printed documents, photographs, digital objects (such as e-mail, databases etc), audio/visual material, sketches, drawings, maps and plans. This list is not exhaustive and may include more unusual items, such as the knotted cords used for record keeping by Andean cultures or a variety of types of object.
Archives Revealed can fund any eligible organisation in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. The funded collection must also be held in these nations. We cannot fund organisations based in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or organisations whose collections are held outside of the UK.
If your project will take place in Wales, you must include the Welsh language in all aspects of your work. You must tell us in your application how you will promote and support the Welsh language and reflect the bilingual nature of Wales.
Funded organisations must make their collections accessible to people outside of their organisation for at least ten years, following the conclusion of the grant-funded project. We can fund organisations with owned or deposited collections, provided that they can provide a commitment from the depositor that the collection will not be withdrawn from public access or sold within ten years of the project end date. We will reclaim funding where this condition is not met.
There are no restrictions on past applicants applying, however our data shows that reapplications are no more likely to receive funding than first-time applications. There is no restriction on institutions submitting an application for a different collection than that previously assessed.
Should you have any questions about the eligibility of your collection for an Archives Revealed Scoping Grant, please contact the team by email using: archivegrants@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Objectives
Archives Revealed’s Scoping Grant programme provides grants for the scoping of archival collections, that are assessed to be of public interest. A Scoping Grant funds an independent consultant to conduct a collection assessment (scoping) report, which should be complete within a year from the grant award date.
The aims of the Scoping Grant programme are:
To enable grantees to develop a better understanding of the content of their collection;
To enable grantees to strategically prioritise the development of their collection;
To enable grantees to advocate for the development of their service;
To enable grantees to prepare an effective case for support when applying for funding.
To enable grantees to plan for better access, audience development and engagement.
Dates
Applications for Scoping Grants will be open four times a year, usually at three-month intervals. The first two rounds of Scoping Grants are scheduled to take place on the following timetable:
Round 3
Open: 6th May 2025
Close: 12th June 2025
Panel: July 2025
Round 4
Open: 1st September 2025
Close: 2nd October 2025
Panel: November 2025
R****ound 5
Open: 19th January 2026
Close: 19th February 2026
Panel: March 2026
Round 6
Open: 18th May 2026
Close: 18th June 2026
Panel: July 2026
Round 7
Open: 7th September 2026
Close: 15th October 2026
Panel: November 2026
Round 8
Open: 18th January 2027
Close: 18th February 2027
Panel: March 2027
How to apply
To apply to the Archives Revealed Scoping Grant, you can apply via an online application form. To apply, visit our 'How to Apply' page on our website.