Apply Now: Strengthening Conservation and Heritage Science (UK)

Deadline: 25-Nov-2026

The Conservation and Heritage Science Grant supports UK research organisations in strengthening conservation and heritage science infrastructure, building sustainable national capability, and improving access to significant research facilities. The funding also encourages collaboration with industry to accelerate technology development, commercialisation, and knowledge exchange across the conservation and heritage science sectors.

About the Conservation and Heritage Science Grant

The grant is designed to enhance the UK’s conservation and heritage science infrastructure by supporting projects that address unmet user demand and strengthen access to nationally significant facilities. The initiative aims to create sustainable national capability while expanding collaboration between research organisations and industry partners. Projects are expected to contribute to a stronger and more connected conservation and heritage science landscape across the UK. What Does the Grant Support?

The funding supports projects that:

- Build sustainable national conservation and heritage science capability. - Strengthen access to nationally significant research facilities. - Address unmet demand from users of conservation and heritage science infrastructure. - Improve collaboration between UK research organisations and industry. - Support technology development and innovation. - Encourage commercialisation of new technologies and approaches. - Promote knowledge exchange between research organisations and industry partners. - Expand the collaborative landscape within the conservation and heritage science sectors. Funding Available Projects may request funding for the full economic cost of up to £1.5 million. A total of £6.2 million is available through the funding opportunity, including £300,000 allocated to cascading funding. Successful projects must begin on 1 April 2027. Projects may run for up to 24 months and must conclude by 31 March 2029. Project Duration Funded projects are expected to follow the specified timetable:

- Start date: 1 April 2027

- Maximum duration: 24 months

- End date: By 31 March 2029

Applicants should ensure that their proposed activities and budget can be delivered within this period. Who Can Apply? Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding. The scheme is intended for eligible research organisations that can contribute to strengthening national conservation and heritage science infrastructure and demonstrate the potential to work collaboratively with relevant industry partners. Key Priorities The Conservation and Heritage Science Grant focuses on strengthening the UK’s long-term capacity in conservation and heritage science.

Key priorities include:

- Developing sustainable national infrastructure and capability. - Improving access to important facilities. - Responding to unmet user demand. - Creating stronger partnerships between research organisations and industry. - Supporting the development and commercialisation of innovative technologies. - Facilitating knowledge exchange across research and industry. - Building a broader and more collaborative conservation and heritage science ecosystem. Collaboration With Industry Industry collaboration is an important element of the funding opportunity. Projects are encouraged to work with industry partners to help move research and technological developments beyond the research environment. Such collaboration can support technology development, commercialisation, knowledge exchange, and the wider adoption of innovative conservation and heritage science approaches. Why Is This Funding Important? Conservation and heritage science depend on access to specialised facilities, expertise, technologies, and research infrastructure. By investing in sustainable national capability, the grant aims to improve the UK’s ability to respond to current and future research and conservation needs. The emphasis on unmet user demand also seeks to ensure that infrastructure and facilities provide meaningful benefits to researchers and other users. Collaboration with industry can further help translate research into practical applications and commercial opportunities. Key Details at a Glance

- Funding: Up to £1.5 million per project

- Total fund: £6.2 million

- Cascading funding: £300,000

- Project start: 1 April 2027

- Maximum duration: 24 months

- Project completion: By 31 March 2029

- Eligible applicants: UK research organisations eligible for AHRC funding

- Main focus: Conservation and heritage science infrastructure

- Collaboration: Research organisations and industry partners encouraged

Frequently Asked Questions What is the Conservation and Heritage Science Grant? It is a funding opportunity designed to strengthen the UK’s conservation and heritage science infrastructure by building sustainable national capability and improving access to significant facilities. How much funding is available? Projects can request funding for the full economic cost of up to £1.5 million. The overall fund is worth £6.2 million, with £300,000 allocated to cascading funding. Who can apply for the grant? Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding. How long can funded projects last? Projects can last for up to 24 months. When must projects begin? Funded projects must commence on 1 April 2027. When must projects finish? Projects must conclude by 31 March 2029. Does the grant encourage industry collaboration? Yes. The opportunity encourages collaboration between research organisations and industry to support technology development, commercialisation, and knowledge exchange. What type of projects are supported? The grant supports projects that strengthen national conservation and heritage science capability, improve access to significant facilities, address unmet user demand, and expand collaboration between research organisations and industry. Conclusion The Conservation and Heritage