Deadline: 28-Nov-2025
The HSDS Small Grants Programme supports innovation in heritage science and conservation research, with a focus on expanding access to key resources and tools through Funding Stream 1, enabling broader collaboration and impact across the heritage sector.
The initiative supports the broader field of heritage science, which applies scientific methods and technologies to protect and better understand cultural heritage—from archaeology and art history to robotics, physics, and materials science.
The HSDS Small Grants Programme aims to unlock innovative potential within the heritage science and conservation sectors by providing targeted financial support. Its primary objective is to enhance the accessibility, preservation, and reuse of heritage research data, contributing to a deeper understanding and more effective management of tangible heritage across the UK.
Funding Stream 1 encourages projects that enable or improve access to valuable research data and reference collections related to heritage science. Eligible proposals might include preparing existing datasets for deposit—through improved documentation, metadata creation, or data cleaning—or integrating separate collections to create unified, accessible digital resources. While digitisation of materials is permitted, it should not form the primary purpose of the grant. All funded projects under this stream must produce a completed dataset that will be deposited with HSDS by the end of the grant period.
Each project can receive up to £25,000, covering the full economic cost of the work, including direct and indirect expenses as well as appropriate overheads. Projects are expected to run for a maximum duration of 12 months, allowing sufficient time for data preparation and submission.
To qualify for funding, organisations must be based in the UK and satisfy the eligibility requirements set out by HSDS, with due diligence checks completed before funds are released. Project leads and co-leads must hold active employment contracts with the submitting organisation for the entire duration of the grant. While a project lead may only lead one application, they can participate as co-lead on multiple other projects. However, individuals already involved with the HSDS main grant are not eligible to apply for funding under this scheme.
Through this initiative, HSDS seeks to strengthen digital research capacity across the heritage science community, supporting projects that preserve, connect, and enhance access to the UK’s rich cultural and scientific heritage.
For more information, visit Heritage Science Data Service.