People and Research

The People and Research Scheme offers grants for activities that help people understand and champion the historic environment through, engagement, skills, training, education and heritage project-based posts. It also offers grants for research activities related to the historic environment sector including scientific and technical conservation, surveys and investigations, publication, archiving, toolkits and guidance.

https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/grants/what-we-fund/people-activities/

https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/grants/what-we-fund/research-activities/

- Funding organisation: Historic England - Location: England - Award: £250 to £300,000 per award; total scheme size £4.7 million - Opening date: 2026-04-01 - Closing date: 2027-04-01

Summary

The People and Places scheme provides funding for research and engagement activities and to build skills and capacity in our historic environment at both national and regional levels.

The research funding from this scheme helps us to know what our historic environment comprises, which aspects of it are the most signficant, how people value and interact with it, and what innovation in science and approach will help us to look after it for the future.

The capacity building is targeted towards helping to reduce or avoid risk to the historic environment by building capacity and commitment of local communities to champion the conservation and enhancement of their own local historic environment. The promotion of best-practice standards and skills for the conservation, documentation, interpretation and sustainable management of the resources of England's historic environment.

Funding towards projects which enable national third-sector organisations to reduce their reliance on public funding and to increase their effectiveness in their work with the historic environment.

Eligibility

All organisations including local authorities, educational institutions, charitable trusts and registered companies that have an eligible project (see below) can apply for this grant. Individuals can also apply as long as they can provide evidence of self-employed/sole trader status.

To be eligible for a grant your activity needs to meet one or more of our 4 grant priorities:

1. Help more people to connect with, enjoy and benefit from the historic environment. 1. Use heritage to improve civic pride, prosperity and well being. 1. Achieve a positive change and sustainable future for historic places including buildings, landscapes, archaeological sites and marine assets. 1. Ensure heritage plays an important role in the fight to limit and manage the effects of climate change.

Objectives

Our grants play an important role in helping people care for, enjoy and celebrate England's spectacular historic environment.The People and Research Scheme offers grants for activities that help to achieve that high level objective. Our four grant priorities align with this objective as listed under the Who can apply section. More information about the grant activities that we fund can be found in the links below. https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/grants/what-we-fund/people-activities/https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/grants/what-we-fund/research-activities/

How to apply

All applications are managed through the Central Grants Team and where applicable are Regional Teams. If you are interested in applying, please see the website. https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/grants/apply/

Apply / more information: https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/grants/apply/