Grants

Southend Pier Museum

Museums Essex runs a Small Grants Scheme, supporting members to connect with audiences, effectively manage collections and improve organisational health. Since the scheme started in 2013 Museums Essex has awarded 79 grants, totalling more than £40,000 to more than 40 museums.

Round 14, 2026 IS NOW OPEN!

This round will accept applications for activities, equipment or resources relating to improving your Collections Management. Areas covered could include:

  • Purchase of equipment or materials to improve collections care, e.g. boxes, acid free tissue, melinex sleeves, etc.
  • Purchase of equipment or materials to improve storage infrastructure for your collections, e.g. shelving.
  • Improvements to your Collections Management System.
  • Collections management training for staff or volunteers.
  • Consultancy or specialist costs towards condition reporting, conservation audits, assessments, or interventions.

The ideas listed above are not an exclusive list and other areas of activity may be considered by the Trustees if in their view they fit the criteria of the grant.

If you have an idea and you’re not sure if it would fit the criteria, please contact the Museums Essex Chair or the Essex Museum Development Officer and we’re happy to provide feedback.

In this 14th round, 8 grants of up to £500 will be awarded.

Grant guidance is here:

Museums Essex – Small Grants application information 2026 – Round 14Download

Application form is here:

Museums Essex – Small Grants application form 2026 – Round 14Download

Eligibility

  • a not-for-profit member of Museums Essex
  • located within the historic county of Essex
  • an organisation with publicly accessible collections.
Terms and conditions
  • All objects requiring conservation or restoration must be owned by the applicant museum, gallery or heritage organisation.
  • Applicants may be asked for a copy of their governing document to verify their not-for-profit status.
  • Organisations that have applied for a grant before, whether successful or not, are eligible to apply, subject to having completed the required grant report where money has been previously awarded by Museums Essex.