From digitising collections and engaging new audiences, there’s a growing number of funding opportunities in the UK to support archival access and digital transformation.
Whether you’re an established institution planning a major infrastructure project or a smaller archive exploring inclusive digital engagement, the right grant can make all the difference.
Here’s a roundup of key UK funders and programmes to watch, including those focused on digitisation, cataloguing, metadata, and public discovery.
1. Archives Portal Europe (APE) Digitisation & Metadata Grant
The APE Digitisation / Metadata Grant helps archival institutions enhance metadata, ingest archival descriptions into the Archives Portal Europe, or attach digital objects to existing records, all of which improve discoverability and online access.
- Grants are relatively modest (up to around €10,000).
- The focus is explicitly on improving metadata and discovery within the APE ecosystem.
If your project involves exposing collections to a pan-European audience or improving searchability across borders, this is an excellent opportunity.
For more information: archivesportaleurope.net
2. Archive Research & Innovation Grants (UK)
Offering grants of up to £10,000, this programme funds digital transformation, innovative practice, and inclusive approaches within the archive sector.
It’s a strong fit for projects that push boundaries. For example, by integrating new access technologies, experimenting with interface design, or embedding inclusivity into discovery tools.
For more details: UK Government Grants Portal
3. The National Archives (UK) – Engagement Grants
The National Archives provides several funding strands, including Engagement Grants, which often support initiatives that connect collections with wider audiences.
While not purely technical, these grants can fund the development of search tools, portals, or discovery platforms, particularly if you can demonstrate how they contribute to public engagement or interpretive value.
Ensure your proposal clearly links the technical aspects of your project to tangible public benefits, as this is often key to a successful bid.
For more info: nationalarchives.gov.uk
4. Archives Revealed
Archives Revealed is the UK’s only dedicated funding programme for cataloguing and making archives more visible and accessible. It offers:
- Cataloguing Grants to support detailed description of collections.
- Scoping Grants to assess and plan cataloguing projects.
Strong cataloguing is the backbone of good discovery. If your project involves improving metadata, search functionality, or collection exposure, this fund can be an essential piece of the puzzle.
Find out more: managingbusinessarchives.co.uk
5. National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF)
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is one of the largest heritage funders in the UK, backing projects that conserve, interpret, and make heritage accessible — including archives.
While NLHF rarely funds access infrastructure as a standalone project, it often supports digital discovery and interpretation as part of larger heritage initiatives.
Frame your proposal around the heritage value and impact of improved access or discovery to increase your chances of success.
Explore more: heritagefund.org.uk
6. Endangered Archives Programme (British Library / Arcadia)
Run by the British Library and funded by Arcadia, this programme focuses on preserving and digitising at-risk archives, and making them freely accessible online.
- The programme often supports projects in under-resourced regions or involving endangered materials.
- While the primary emphasis is on preservation, online access is a key requirement.
Find more details: bl.uk
7. TownsWeb Digitisation Grant
The TownsWeb Digitisation Grant is one of the UK’s most prominent funding opportunities for heritage and archive projects, supporting digitisation, digital access, and audience engagement initiatives.
2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the grant, and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever. Typically offering multiple awards each year, the programme helps organisations digitise and share their collections online, improving accessibility while preserving materials for future generations.
This grant is particularly well-suited if your project involves converting physical collections into searchable digital resources or creating tools that make heritage materials more widely accessible.
Learn more: townswebarchiving.com/digitisation-funding-grant
Turning Access into Income with PastView
While grants and public funding are invaluable for getting projects off the ground, long-term sustainability often depends on generating income from your collections themselves. That’s where PastView comes in. Designed specifically for archives, libraries, and heritage organisations, PastView makes it easy to create revenue streams that support ongoing digitisation, preservation, and access work, all while enhancing the user experience.
Here’s how you can use PastView to turn engagement into income:
1. Flexible Subscription Models
If you’re looking to build more consistent, long-term revenue, subscription access is a powerful tool. PastView lets you offer timed subscriptions, such as weekly, monthly, or annual plans, giving users ongoing access to premium collections.
You choose how content is presented: some materials can remain visible but blurred or watermarked, prompting users to subscribe to unlock full access. Built-in analytics tools also make it easy to track performance and optimise your pricing strategy over time.
2. Membership and Institutional Access
For societies, universities, professional associations, or other membership-based groups, PastView supports perpetual access models linked directly to membership status.
Access can be managed via shared credentials or individual logins, giving you flexibility in how you offer value to members while maintaining control over sensitive or high-value materials.
3. Paid Digital Downloads
If you have content that audiences are eager to access, from high-resolution images and rare documents to research papers and publications, PastView’s paid download feature lets you charge for individual items.
You decide which records remain freely available and which are offered as premium content. Pricing is entirely under your control, and setting it up takes only a few clicks. It’s a straightforward way to balance open access with revenue generation.
4. Offline Access Options
For researchers, educators, or enthusiasts who need access on the move, PastView enables you to sell offline copies of your materials in formats like PDF, MOBI, or ePUB.
Whether it’s a digitised journal, a complete book, or a curated selection of documents, users can purchase and download collections for use on their preferred devices, adding convenience for them and a new income stream for you.
5. Seamless eCommerce Experience
A user-friendly purchasing journey is essential if you want to convert interest into income. PastView’s integrated online shop provides a familiar, intuitive experience, complete with shopping baskets, checkout pages, and secure payment processing.
This not only builds trust but also encourages users to explore more of your paid offerings, turning occasional visitors into repeat customers.
Making Your Digital Strategy Sustainable
With PastView, your digital collections don’t just preserve history, they help fund their own future. By combining flexible monetisation tools with user-friendly access options, you can support ongoing projects, reinvest in new initiatives, and ensure that your archive remains both accessible and financially resilient for years to come.
The UK offers a rich ecosystem of funding opportunities for archives and heritage organisations working to improve discovery, access, and engagement. While some programmes focus narrowly on metadata or digitisation, others support broader innovation, inclusion, and public impact initiatives.
As with all grant applications, the key is to frame your project clearly, and show how your work contributes to wider engagement, public value, or heritage preservation, and you’ll be in a stronger position to secure support.
If you'd like to learn more about PastView, it's immersive access and discovery features, as well as revenue generating capabilities, reach out to our friendly team today!
