The Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, run by the Museums Association, has been relaunched to support a range of projects that bring collections closer to people.

Museums, galleries and heritage organisations in the UK can apply for grants of up to £100,000 for projects lasting up to three years. The fund expects to award around 12 grants in total, across two funding rounds.

The overall purpose of the Fund remains the same but with updated processes to better support the best of the types of applications. It will place more emphasis on equitable working, supporting wellbeing and legacy planning.

There are now core grants to single museum organisations for strategic development of their inclusive collections work, and partnership project grants for museums and community organisations working equitably with collections to achieve shared aims for inclusion.

Pre-application advice on eligibility and for help to develop applications is available.

The next deadline to express interest is 5 February 2025.

Shortlisted applicants will be advised week commencing 24 February and invited to submit a second stage application by 21 May 2025.

Grants will be awarded in late-June 2025.

The second funding round will be open for expressions of interest by 16 July 2025 for second stage applications by 5 November and grant awards in mid-December 2025.

For more details, including contact details for advice, visit the Museums Association Esmee Fairbairn Communities & Collections Fund webpage.