Deadline: 25-Sep-2026
Applications are now open for the Jonathan Ruffer Curatorial Grants Programme to support curators and museum professionals undertaking research, travel, and professional development activities that enhance curatorial expertise and collections-based knowledge.
The programme provides funding to strengthen professional skills, encourage knowledge exchange, and improve understanding and interpretation of public collections through research and learning opportunities.
About the Program
The Jonathan Ruffer Curatorial Grants Programme supports activities that contribute to the professional growth of individuals working with museums, galleries, archives, and collections.
The programme focuses on:
- UK research travel
- International research travel
- Accommodation for research activities
- Conference attendance
- Training courses
- Programmes of study
- Online learning opportunities
- Professional development
- Collections-based research
- Curatorial skill development
- Archive access subscriptions
- Research subscriptions
- Knowledge exchange activities
- Other activities that strengthen curatorial expertise
The programme aims to improve specialist knowledge and support excellence in collections-based practice.
Program Objectives
The programme seeks to:
- Strengthen curatorial expertise
- Enhance collections-based knowledge
- Support professional development
- Encourage research and scholarship
- Promote knowledge sharing
- Improve interpretation of collections
- Develop specialist skills
- Expand professional networks
- Increase access to learning opportunities
- Support the advancement of museum practice
Activities should demonstrate clear professional value and relevance to collections work.
Eligible Activities
Funding may be requested for:
- UK travel for research purposes
- International travel for research purposes
- Accommodation related to approved activities
- Attendance at conferences
- Participation in training courses
- Programmes of study
- Online learning and professional courses
- Archive access subscriptions
- Other research subscriptions
- Professional development activities
- Collections-based research initiatives
- Activities that strengthen curatorial practice
Proposed activities should contribute directly to the applicant’s professional development.
Funding Information
The programme provides:
- Small grants of up to £2,000
- Larger grants of over £2,000, depending on the scale of the proposed activity
Funding may support:
- Travel expenses
- Accommodation costs
- Conference participation
- Training and study costs
- Online learning activities
- Archive subscriptions
- Professional development expenses
- Other eligible research-related costs
Funding cannot be used to pay fees for applicants or other participants involved in the research.
Eligible Applicants
The programme is open to:
- Curators
- Museum professionals
- Researchers
- Academics
Applicants must be:
- Employed by a UK-based museum, gallery, archive, or arts organisation, or
- Working in partnership with a UK-based museum, gallery, archive, or arts organisation.
Eligible organisations must be:
- Not-for-profit
- Publicly accessible for most of the year
- At least provisionally accredited
This includes:
- Charities
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between the proposed activity and collections-based work.
Additional Eligibility Requirements
Applicants who are not directly based within a museum or gallery must:
- Provide a letter of support from a fully or provisionally accredited public collection.
The programme is not open to individuals without an eligible institutional connection.
Ineligible Applicants
The following are not eligible to apply:
- Individuals not employed by a UK museum, gallery, archive, or arts organisation
- Individuals not working in partnership with an eligible UK organisation
- Applicants unable to provide the required institutional support where applicable
Applications that do not meet the eligibility requirements will not be considered.
Application Requirements
Applicants are expected to provide:
- Details of the proposed activity
- Information about the host organisation or partner institution
- An explanation of how the activity supports professional development
- A breakdown of anticipated costs
- Evidence of organisational eligibility
- A letter of support from an accredited public collection, where required
Applications should clearly explain the professional benefits and expected outcomes of the proposed activity.
Expected Outcomes
Supported activities should contribute to:
- Enhanced curatorial knowledge
- Stronger collections expertise
- Improved research capacity
- Expanded professional networks
- Greater access to specialist learning
- Improved interpretation of collections
- Increased confidence in professional practice
- Higher standards of museum work
- Long-term professional development
- Greater public benefit through improved collections knowledge
The programme encourages activities that create meaningful and lasting professional impact.
Assessment Considerations
Applications are considered based on:
- Relevance of the proposed activity
- Contribution to curatorial development
- Benefits to collections-based knowledge
- Professional value of the opportunity
- Appropriateness of the requested costs
- Alignment with the programme’s objectives
- Potential impact on future practice
Applicants should demonstrate how the proposed activity will strengthen their professional expertise.
Why This Program Matters
Museums, galleries, and archives rely on knowledgeable professionals to research, interpret, and care for collections that preserve cultural heritage. Access to training, specialist learning opportunities, conferences, and research experiences enables curators and collections professionals to deepen their expertise and share knowledge more effectively with the public.
The Jonathan Ruffer Curatorial Grants Programme invests in the people behind public collections, helping them develop the skills and insights needed to strengthen museum practice and enhance public understanding of cultural heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Jonathan Ruffer Curatorial Grants Programme?
- Curators, museum professionals, researchers, and academics employed by or working in partnership with eligible UK-based museums, galleries, archives, or arts organisations.
How much funding is available?
- Small grants of up to £2,000 and larger grants exceeding £2,000 are available depending on the scale of the proposed activity.
What activities can be supported?
- Research travel, accommodation, conferences, training courses, programmes of study, online learning, archive subscriptions, and other professional development activities related to collections-based work.
Can the funding be used to pay applicant fees?
- No. The funding cannot be used to pay fees for applicants or other participants involved in the research.
Are independent researchers eligible to apply?
- Yes, provided they are working in partnership with an eligible organisation and can supply the required letter of support from an accredited public collection.
What types of organisations are eligible?
- Eligible organisations include not-for-profit museums, galleries, archives, and arts organisations that are publicly accessible for most of the year and hold at least provisional accreditation.
Is a letter of support required?
- Yes. Applicants not directly based within a museum or gallery must provide a letter of support from a fully or provisionally accredited public collection.
Conclusion
The Jonathan Ruffer Curatorial Grants Programme supports the professional growth of curators and museum professionals by funding research, travel, training, and other development opportunities that strengthen collections-based expertise. By investing in specialist knowledge and professional learning, the programme helps enhance museum practice and enrich the interpretation and care of public collections.
For more information, visit Art Fund.