Deadline: 20-Jan-2027
The Innovation Fund under the Museum Futures Programme provides grants to museums in Scotland for innovative projects that improve financial sustainability and long-term organisational resilience.
The programme supports income-generation initiatives, new tourism experiences, partnerships, renewable energy projects, and creative business models that help museums strengthen their future operations and community impact.
Programme Focus Areas
The fund supports projects related to:
- Income generation for museums
- Cost-sharing initiatives
- Events and festivals
- Tourism and visitor experiences
- Commercial partnerships
- Retail and catering innovation
- Digital revenue opportunities
- Renewable energy and sustainability projects
- Workshops and training programmes
- Feasibility studies and pilot projects
The programme encourages museums to test and scale innovative ideas with long-term financial benefits.
Eligible Project Activities
Supported activities may include:
- Use of museum or outdoor spaces for events
- Camping and glamping developments
- Leasing or sharing facilities
- Ancestry tourism and voluntourism
- Expanded public programming
- Digital products and services
- Community energy initiatives
- Retail and hospitality improvements
- Philanthropy and fundraising strategies
Projects can involve:
- Feasibility studies
- Pilot testing
- Scaling successful initiatives
Funding Available
Grant amounts:
- £20,000 to £250,000
Project duration:
- Up to three years
Projects must:
- Begin within six months of the award date
The programme supports both:
- Large-scale strategic projects
- Smaller innovation initiatives with measurable financial impact
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Accredited museums in Scotland
- Non-Accredited museums
- Museums Working Towards Accreditation
- Formally constituted museum groups
Applicants must comply with:
- Scottish Government Fair Work First policy
This includes:
- Paying at least the Real Living Wage
- Or demonstrating progress toward compliance within two years
Eligibility Requirements for Non-Accredited Museums
Non-Accredited museums must:
- Have a formally adopted constitution
- Operate as not-for-profit organisations
- Meet the 2022 ICOM museum definition
- Maintain a physical public site
- Open to the public at least 20 days annually
- Engage audiences with collections
Museums with entirely privately owned collections are not eligible.
Eligible Costs
Funding may support:
- Staff salaries and additional staff time
- Consultant fees
- Capital costs
- Equipment and fixtures
- Trial stock purchases
- Staff training
- Marketing and promotional costs
All costs must directly relate to funded project activities.
Programme Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Improve museum financial resilience
- Encourage innovation and sustainability
- Strengthen long-term operational capacity
- Support new business and tourism models
- Increase community and visitor engagement
Tips for Applicants
Strong applications should:
- Demonstrate clear financial sustainability outcomes
- Present realistic business or income-generation plans
- Show long-term impact potential
- Include measurable revenue or cost-saving benefits
- Highlight innovation and audience engagement
- Provide detailed and realistic budgets
Projects with scalable or replicable models may receive stronger consideration.
FAQ
How much funding is available?
Grants range from £20,000 to £250,000.
Who can apply?
Accredited museums, non-Accredited museums, museums Working Towards Accreditation, and museum groups in Scotland.
What types of projects are supported?
Income-generation projects, tourism initiatives, renewable energy activities, events programmes, retail innovation, and feasibility studies.
Can funding support staff costs?
Yes. Salaries and additional staff time related to the project are eligible.
Are non-Accredited museums eligible?
Yes, if they meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Conclusion
The Museum Futures Programme Innovation Fund supports museums in Scotland to develop innovative and financially sustainable projects that strengthen long-term resilience. Through funding for tourism, commercial innovation, sustainability initiatives, and community engagement, the programme helps museums adapt, grow, and build stronger futures.
For more information, visit Museums Galleries Scotland.