Coming Soon: New Small Grants Programme to Unlock Innovation in Heritage Science

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new HSDS Service Small Grants Programme – designed to unlock the potential for innovation in heritage science and conservation research across the UK.

Thanks to generous funding from UKRI through AHRC’s RICHeS initiative, we’re offering two distinct funding opportunities to support researchers, institutions, and community partners in advancing heritage science capabilities.

Applications open on the 1st October 2025.

Pathways

Stream 1: Enhance Access to Heritage Resources (up to £25,000) 

Transform your valuable heritage science data and collections into accessible resources for the wider research community. 

Stream 2: Build Virtual Research Environments (up to £15,000) 

Partner with the expert software engineering team from STFC Hartree Centre to bring your digital innovation ideas to life as a Virtual Research Environment.

Who Can Apply?

This programme welcomes applications from across the UK heritage sector, including universities, UKRI Independent Research Organisations, museums, archives, galleries, and community partners. We’re particularly keen to support projects that demonstrate real impact for heritage science research and practice.

Key Information

• Applications open: 1 October 2025
• Deadline: 28 November 2025, 5pm GMT
• Funding: 100% Full Economic Cost covered
• Online Information sessions
  • 9 October at 14:00-15:00 GMT
  • 14 October at 10:00-11:00 GMT
  • Both sessions will be the same so you do not need to attend both. Look out for further details regarding sign up.

Get Ready to Apply

Whether you have datasets waiting to be unlocked, collections that need connecting, or a concept for an innovative digital tool, this could be the funding opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

Keep an eye out for our information webinar in October, where we’ll provide detailed guidance on the application process and answer your questions directly.

For more information and to access application materials when available, visit the Small Grants Programme page or contact [email protected]

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI), and through the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) programme.