NI Museums Council Grant Programmes

NI Museums Council are pleased to announce four grant programmes open to all UK Accreditation Scheme Accredited (Full or Provisional) non-National museums in Northern Ireland.

The programmes are:

• Local Museums Small Capital Grant Programme: applications for £500-£10,000; deadline for applications 12pm 15th Aug 2025 (New grant programme).
• Museum Collections Capital Grant Programme: applications for £500-£5,000; deadline for applications 12pm 15th Aug 2025 .
• Playful Museums Festival Grants: applications up to £500; deadline for applications 12pm 10th Oct 2025.
• Collecting for the Future acquisitions grants: applications up to £1000, this is a rolling scheme until 2028.

NI Museums Council Director Heather McGuicken encourages accredited museums in Northern Ireland to grasp these opportunities:

‘As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the museum sector, NIMC is delighted to announce the availability of £110,000 in funding through our Small Capital Grant and Museum Collections Grant programmes. These grants are designed to empower our accredited museum members to make meaningful improvements enhancing access to their collections and strengthening the care and preservation of cultural heritage.

We strongly encourage all eligible museums to submit their applications as soon as possible, as demand is expected to be high. Let’s continue working together to ensure our museums remain vibrant, accessible, and resilient spaces for all’.

The programmes are supported by additional funding from Department for Communities for the two new capital grant funds, and funds from Esmé Mitchell Trust for the Collecting for the Future rolling grant programme.

Click here for information about the programmes, guidance, and applications. If you have any queries please contact info@nimc.co.uk.