Heritage Stewardship Fund

Objective of the Fund

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.

Who can apply?

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.

Funding available

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.

How and when to apply

Applications must be submitted through the Heritage Council’s online grants system. The Heritage Council accepts online applications only. We cannot accept submissions by post or email.

Closing Date

The application deadline is 5:00 PM on 19 January 2026. To ensure fairness, late applications or documents submitted after this time will not be accepted.

Notification of the Outcome

We will contact you in writing in early March 2026 to let you know whether your application is successful.

If you are successful, your project must start after the offer date in early March 2026 and be completed by 13 November 2026. Make sure your schedule fits within this timeframe when planning your activities.

Examples of Projects we can fund

Conservation of Heritage Assets

Projects that manage and conserve heritage buildings, habitats and objects to accepted professional standards.

Improving Access to Heritage

Initiatives that make heritage more accessible, with a strong focus on inclusion and diversity.

Climate-Resilient Conservation Planning

Plans that strengthen the resilience of heritage buildings, habitats, or collections against climate change.

Partnership & Networking Events

Activities that bring organisations together to address common challenges and share solutions.

Community Training & Skills Development

Training in traditional building and craft skills and advice sessions and support that increase awareness and access to heritage.

Policy & Decision-Making Support

Projects that inform policy development and improve management of heritage assets.

Data Collection & Research

Research that supports future policy and advice—especially urban initiatives and climate adaptation strategies for heritage sites.

Digital Heritage Projects

Development of digital heritage resources, including digitisation, online exhibitions, oral history recordings, podcasts, and films.

Important: Any digital outputs created with grant funding must be publicly available, open and accessible to all.

What you can Apply for

When you're putting together your application, you can include costs like:

• Third-party supplier fees – this could be for heritage audits, conservation plans, training, or hands-on conservation work on buildings, objects, habitats, or sites.
• Professional supervision fees – if your project needs oversight from a qualified expert (like a conservation consultant with at least RIAI Grade 3 or equivalent, or an ecologist or archaeologist), you can include those costs too.
• Specialised equipment or materials – anything that helps with conservation or makes heritage more accessible. Think museum-grade display cases, environmental monitoring tools (for humidity, temperature, light), multimedia or interpretation equipment, or archival boxes to protect fragile documents.
• Volunteer travel and subsistence – if volunteers are helping out, you can cover their travel at €0.43 per km and daily subsistence (for five hours or more) at €19.25.

Important: If your application is successful, you’ll need to commit to inclusively engaging the public and acknowledge The Heritage Council’s support. This includes planning and hosting an engaging in-person event during National Heritage Week 2026, where people can learn more about the work you’ve been funded to do.

What you can't Apply for

There are a few things this grant doesn’t cover, so keep these in mind when planning your budget:

• General overheads or administration fees
• Internal recharges
• Salaries for staff
• International travel
• Any costs you’ve already incurred before the grant offer date
• Alcohol
• Promotional merchandise

If you're unsure about a specific cost, it's always a good idea to check before including it in your application.

You can find a list of projects that aren’t covered by this grant scheme in the information booklet below. 

Projects we can’t fund

Some types of projects are outside the scope of this grant scheme. Please check this list before applying:

Public Sector Responsibilities

We can’t fund work that falls under a public sector body’s statutory duties.

Examples: Activities linked to European Directives on habitats, birds, Water Framework, or Marine Strategy Framework.

Academic Studies

Undergraduate or postgraduate students cannot apply for work that forms part of their academic studies (including PhDs).

Archaeology

Archaeological excavations or post-excavation analysis and reporting are not eligible.

Primary School Projects

Projects aimed at primary schools are funded through the Heritage in Schools scheme.

DNA Analysis

We do not fund projects involving DNA testing or analysis, as policies in this area have not yet been developed.

Installations & Memorials

The creation of new memorials, plaques, sculptures, artist installations, or replica builds is not eligible.

Signs & Information Boards

Directional signage is not funded. Information boards will only be considered if they specifically address accessibility needs for people with disabilities.

Amenity Landscaping Works

Landscaping or amenity improvements are not covered
Examples: Tarmacking car parks, installing benches, or adding litter bins.

Retrospective Projects

We cannot fund work that has already started or been completed before the grant offer date.

Timescale and what to Expect

Here’s a quick overview of the key dates and what happens at each stage of the grant process:

• Applications open: 22 November 2025
• Deadline to apply: 19 January 2026 at 5pm sharp
• Assessment period: January–February 2026

Your application will be reviewed by both our in-house team and an external panel of assessors.

• Final decision: Early March 2026

The Heritage Council Board will make the final approval. 

• Outcome notification: Early March 2026

You’ll receive a written update via the online grants system.

If your application is successful, you’ll need to agree to our Terms and Conditions.

Further Information

Information booklet

Download the information booklet for the scheme in pdf below or keep reading on this page.

Grants Information Webinar

Join us for an information webinar about the scheme on Friday 5th December 2025 at 2:30 pm. Register your place.

Contact

Contact us via email or call 056 7770777