Conservation Grants Scheme for Scotland

Conservation Grants Scheme for Scotland

11 May 2020

The Scottish Council on Archives (SCA) and the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust (NMCT) are delighted to announce that they have entered into a funding partnership to support the conservation of Scottish archive collections. With generous support from National Records of Scotland, the funding scheme will enable Scottish archives and other eligible institutions to apply for a grant towards the cost of a manuscript conservation project.

All who meet the eligibility requirements are invited to apply, and we are particularly keen to encourage applications from services who have not previously applied to NMCT. Support and advice will be available to all applicants, including an FAQ and advice webinar (details on how to register below).

Expressions of interest in applying for remedial conservation funding are now invited. The expressions of interest should include the following information:

  • Brief description of the item(s) / collection to be conserved
  • The national significance of the item(s) / collection and why this item(s) or collection has/have been chosen for conservation (e.g significant research interest that cannot be met due to their condition)
  • A statement outlining why there is a preservation need for the treatment to be carried out and how treatment will open up access to the item(s) / collection.
  • A brief overview of the intended conservation work and include a basic estimate of project cost.

The proposed projects must meet the NMCT criteria. Details of the NMCT criteria and further information on the scheme are available at https://www.nmct.co.uk/.

Before you prepare your expression of interest, please contact the Scottish Council on Archives to discuss your project at v.brown@scottisharchives.org.uk Once you’ve discussed your proposal, expressions of interest should be a maximum of 750 words and can be completed and submitted here.  

Following assessment of the expressions of interest, SCA will provide full support and guidance to applicants who are invited to proceed to a full application to NMCT. The deadlines for NMCT applications are the 1st October 2020 with decisions made at the end of November 2020; and 1 April 2021 with decisions made in June 2021.