Heritage Stewardship Fund

You can apply for funding of between €5,000 and €30,000. Most successful projects are expected to receive between €20,000 and €30,000, and we aim to support around 20 projects through the scheme.

At least 20% of the funding available through the scheme will be set aside specifically for Local Authority Archivists.

Your Contribution: Applicants must provide a minimum financial contribution of 10% of the total project cost. This scheme does not cover staff payroll costs or administrative overheads - so make sure these are excluded from your budget.

The scheme is designed to assist staff whose core remit may not be fully focused on heritage but whose work has a significant impact on heritage. This includes employees of state agencies and educational institutions proposing heritage-focused projects, as well as local authority-based museum curators, archivists, archaeologists, and architectural conservation officers.

Projects that build climate resilience and deliver nature-positive outcomes are a particular area of focus for the fund. By supporting initiatives that safeguard heritage while promoting sustainability, the fund aims to ensure heritage assets are protected and enhanced for the benefit of communities and the natural world.

Applications usually open in November and close in mid January. 

You can apply if you work in a public sector organisation and play a key role in Ireland’s heritage infrastructure. This includes staff in:

• Local authorities
• State agencies
• Educational institutions

Examples include museum archivists, curators, archaeologists, architectural and conservation officers based in local authorities. Staff in state agencies and educational institutions engaged in heritage-focused projects are also eligible.

Please note: This scheme is not open to Local Authority Heritage Officers or Biodiversity Officers, as they are funded through the County Heritage Plan and Biodiversity Plan funding schemes.

Apply through the Heritage Council's Online Grants system.