Request for Proposals: Heritage and Crafts Scheme (UK)

The Radcliffe Trust’s Heritage & Crafts Scheme provides targeted funding to strengthen the UK’s cultural heritage and craft skills sector. Grants support training, conservation, emerging craftspeople, designer-makers, and early-career creative practitioners. Funding is project-based, organization-led, and focuses on initiatives that develop high-level craft skills and preserve heritage knowledge.

Overview

The Radcliffe Trust offers grants to organizations that develop, preserve, and advance the UK’s heritage and crafts skills. The scheme emphasizes high-quality training, conservation, and capacity-building projects that support future generations of craftspeople and contribute to cultural sustainability.

What the Scheme Supports

The funding focuses on strengthening core skills and expertise across the UK heritage and crafts landscape.

Key Supported Areas

• Training for emerging craftspeople and early-career practitioners

• Craft and conservation projects that preserve heritage skills

• Designer-maker projects with clear creative outcomes

• Initiatives that build sector-wide capacity

• Therapeutic skills-development projects (selectively considered)

• Occasional grants for theatre, performance, and literature linked to high-level skill development

Why It Matters

Traditional craft skills and heritage knowledge are at risk without structured support. This programme helps organizations train new practitioners, protect specialist techniques, and sustain the creative and cultural fabric of the UK. It also supports diversity and access by assisting disadvantaged or early-career groups entering the sector.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet strict organizational and project criteria.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a UK charity, nonprofit, or recognized organization

• Applications must be tied to a specific project, not general operating or endowment requests

• Training organizations may apply for bursaries or fees

• Must not apply as individuals

• A one-year gap is required after receiving a grant

• Organizations funded for three consecutive years must take a one-year break

• Projects must not have already started

Ineligible Applicants or Projects

• Mainstream schools

• Nature conservation, land management, and garden projects

• Capital costs or core operating costs

• Projects focused only on equipment or materials

• Primarily therapeutic or social projects

• Conceptual art

• Conference-related costs

• Endowment requests

• Church of England churches (must apply through the Church Buildings Council)

Funding Details

• Typical grant range: £2,500–£7,500

• Multi-year funding is rare and awarded only under exceptional circumstances

• Applications can include photographs; brochures or CVs may be requested later

How to Apply

Step-by-Step Process

1. Confirm Eligibility
   Ensure your organization and project fall within the scheme’s scope and exclusions.

2. Develop a Clear Project Proposal
   Define objectives, outcomes, beneficiaries, and how the project strengthens heritage or craft skills.

3. Prepare Supporting Materials
   Include photographs if they clarify the project. Keep additional documents ready.

4. Submit Through the Organization
   Applications must be made by a recognized entity, not an individual.

5. Observe Reapplication Rules

   • Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in the next round

   • Successful applicants must wait 12 months or project completion

   • Three consecutive years of support requires a one-year break

6. Await Assessment
   Additional documentation may be requested during review.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting general funding appeals or endowment requests

• Applying for projects already underway

• Ignoring exclusions such as equipment-only proposals or nature-focused activities

• Applying as an individual rather than through an organization

• Overlooking the mandatory one-year waiting period

• Proposing core operating or capital expenditure

• Misaligning the project with heritage craft skill development

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can individuals apply for funding?
No. Applications must be submitted on behalf of a recognized organization.

2. What is the typical grant amount?
Most grants fall between £2,500 and £7,500.

3. Are multi-year grants available?
Only in exceptional cases; the scheme primarily supports single-year, project-based work.

4. Can my project include equipment purchases?
Projects focused solely on equipment or materials are not eligible.

5. Can mainstream schools apply?
No. Mainstream schools fall outside the scheme’s scope.

6. Can my organization apply again after receiving a grant?
Yes. However, you must wait 12 months or until the supported project is completed.

7. Are theatre or literature projects eligible?
Occasionally—if they clearly contribute to high-level skills development in early career practitioners or disadvantaged groups.

Conclusion

The Radcliffe Trust Heritage & Crafts Scheme is a valuable funding source for UK organizations dedicated to preserving cultural heritage and advancing craft skills. By supporting targeted, project-based initiatives, the Trust helps sustain traditional crafts, elevate emerging practitioners, and protect the UK’s creative legacy for future generations.