Archives and manuscripts
We help digitize at-risk collections of written documents, photographs, and audio and video recordings, including born-digital material.
Recording cultural heritage
We want future generations to have knowledge of the world’s cultural diversity.
EAP1005 Selection of Cham Manuscripts in Vietnam. The Endangered Archives Programme.
Cultures change over time. Much of the world’s cultural heritage is poorly documented and may become inaccessible to future generations.
Our grants support the digital documentation of cultural heritage that is poorly recorded and under threat. They create partnerships with local organizations and institutions to secure long-term preservation and free access to the records in line with the FAIR and CARE principles for data. Read more about our open access policy.
We prioritize grants where there is greatest need and resources are most limited, so we are less likely to fund work in Western Europe and North America.
We don’t have the capacity or expertise to fund emergency work in conflict zones or disaster areas.
We don’t accept applications for funding but individuals and organizations can apply to programmes that we support.
Priorities
Intangible culture
We support the documentation of languages and cultural practices that may be at risk of dying out.
Heritage sites
We support the large-scale documentation of archaeological sites and buildings in regions where existing records are incomplete and the risk of future loss is high. We are no longer initiating new heritage sites projects.
Culture grant programmes
Our grant programmes help us to support effective local work around the world, where we believe our funding can make the greatest difference. Each programme has a defined theme and is run by a partner organization with specialist knowledge in that area.
Endangered Languages Documentation Programme
Grants for documenting languages which are at risk of extinction.
Endangered Archives Programme
Grants for digitizing archives that are in danger of destruction, neglect or deterioration, covering rare printed sources, manuscripts, photographs, and audio recordings from all periods up to the mid-20th century.
Modern Endangered Archives Program
Grants for digitizing endangered printed materials, manuscripts, photographs, audio-visual recordings and born-digital materials from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Endangered Material Knowledge Programme
Grants for documenting endangered material culture (how things are made and how they are used).
Endangered Wooden Architecture Programme
Grants for documenting traditional practices of constructing and maintaining wooden buildings. The programme has completed its final grant round and is not accepting new applications.
