Historic England’s Community Research Grant programme

Grants of between £3,000 and £7,000 are available to a wide range of organisations across England, including charities, Community Interest Companies, local authorities and education institutions, for research that helps uncover hidden histories and encourages more diverse nominations for Historic England’s blue plaques. This funding is specifically for research taking place outside of Greater London, or for projects where the potential national blue plaque would be sited outside of Greater London.

Who can apply: all types of organisation are eligible to apply, including registered charities, local authorities, Community Interest Companies, education institutions. However, applicants must be working with an experienced researcher or historian as part of the project. Funding is not available for sole traders or individuals.

Key words: Research, Hidden Histories, Celebrating Diversity, Minority Ethnic Communities, LGBTQ+ people, Disabled, Neuro-diverse People and Women, Community Engagement, Accessibility, Blue Plaques, England (outside of Greater London).

Historic England’s Community Research Grant programme is offering grants of between £3,000 and £7,000 to help uncover hidden histories and encourage more diverse nominations for its National Blue Plaques scheme.

The Community Research Grants are available to organisations working with communities, and in partnership with a historian or researcher, who want to discover more about people or groups who may be eligible for a national blue plaque.

The aim of the programme is for the funded research to pave the way for communities to submit nominations for national blue plaques in the future. They also hope to create opportunities for the research to be shared with local communities and shine a light on significant people from their area or heritage.