An annual grant scheme for community groups and not-for-profit non-governmental organisations around the country for heritage projects.

This scheme is intended to enable communities and heritage non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to continue their work on existing projects or to start new initiatives.

A broad range of project types are eligible for funding under the scheme including:

• Workshops and training events that promote good heritage practice, in particular, we are interested in traditional building skills, craft skills, graveyard recording and biodiversity training.
• Development of Digital Heritage Resources including digitisation, online exhibitions, oral history recordings, podcasts, and films. You need to make sure that the digital outputs you create
  with grant funding are available, open, and accessible.
• Conservation surveys, reports, plans, and audits that will inform the future management of buildings and monuments, habitats, collections, or objects.
• Conservation works to buildings, monuments, habitats, collections, or objects. Conservation works must include an assessment of potential impacts on biodiversity and climate and outline measures to ensure positive outcomes. For example, habitat restoration, sustainable management of invasive species, or improving energy efficiency in heritage buildings.
• Purchase of specialised equipment or items that support conservation or improve access to heritage.

Who can apply?

The scheme is open to:

• Voluntary and community groups for example parish councils, tidy Towns groups, local action groups etc
• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including not for profit trusts
• Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI) participants (non governmental organisations only)
• Adopt a Monument Programme participants

The applicant group must have a current bank/credit union account in their name.

The Scheme is not open to

• Private companies
• Individuals
• Public bodies or organisations controlled either directly or indirectly by any state or other body.

Application Pack

Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2025

Biodiversity Sustainability Question Guidelines

Digitisation Grant Application Guidelines

Please note that digitisation projects will only be considered with evidence that the collection has been catalogued already or will be catalogued as part of your proposal.

Digitisation Guide

How and when to apply

You must apply through The Heritage Council’s online grants system. We only accept forms submitted online. We do not provide or accept paper forms. 

Please note that a new Online Grants System was introduced in 2024. If you did not register on the system in 2024 you will have to register first before you can start your application. Online Grants System Instructions

To consider your application, we must receive your online application along with supporting documents by 14 March 2025 at 11.30pm.