The Esmée Fairbairn Communities and Collections Fund is now open for applications for 2027. The fund, run by the Museums Association, supports work by museums and community organisations, including industrial heritage sites, to strengthen communities, using their collections.

Grants of up to £110,000 over a maximum of three years, can be applied for. The Museum Association is expecting to award around 12 grants across two funding rounds. The fund offers:

• Partnership project grants to museums and community organisations that work equitably together and share aims for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
• Core grants to museums that have established strategic aims for DEI, and that are ready to use their collections and our funding to support social and climate justice in ways that are relevant to local contexts and relationships.

The next deadline for expressions of interest is Wednesday 20 January 2027. Further details here: Esmée Fairbairn Communities and Collections Fund – Museums Association