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New UK Research and Innovation Strategy published for 2026-2031.

Sets out how UKRI will deliver its mission to advance knowledge, improve lives, drive growth.

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UK Research and Innovation Strategy 2026 to 2031

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UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) strategy for 2026 to 2031. This document supersedes the UKRI 2022 to 2027 strategy.

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AIM and NMDC launch sector climate resource hub

The Association of Independent Museums and the National Museum Directors’ Council have launched the Museum Climate Hub, a growing collection of trusted sector resources to help you and your organisation on your sustainability journey.

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AIM - Association of Independent Museums

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AIM - Association of Independent Museums

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Museum Climate Hub - AIM - Association of Independent Museums

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In collaboration with NMDC, we’ve handpicked core resources to help you with your sustainability journey at whatever stage

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‘Cool Under Pressure: HVAC, Collection Care and the Climate Challenge’

The HVAC Shutdown Group is running a day conference (Leeds, 2027) on sustainability and conservation concerns & challenges surrounding HVAC and cooling systems in collections storage.

The conference is led by the University of Brighton Design Archives and enabled by an award from the University of Brighton Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)-supported Impact Acceleration Account and organised in collaboration with the University of Leeds Libraries’ Cultural Collections & Galleries.

This is an example of translating cultural heritage sustainability and materials science research into practice, as well as building links between academia and heritage institutions.

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'Cool Under Pressure: HVAC, Collection Care and the Climate Challenge' Day Conference, 2027

Sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions are pressing issues for organisations across the cultural heritage sector. The traditional reliance on energy-intensive HVAC systems to maintain strict environmental storage conditions has become increasingly unsustainable and organisations are seeking ways to reduce energy consumption while still ensuring the long-term preservation of the collections in their care.

Established in 2024, the UK-based HVAC Shutdown Group emerged as a community-driven response to challenges and knowledge gaps around this subject, with heritage professionals sharing expertise and experience, and developing solutions together.

This conference looks to build on this and address both the practical and theoretical challenges of working with existing buildings housing heritage collections, while building capacity for more sustainable and cost-effective practices. It will showcase innovative approaches to reducing energy consumption; centre discussions on safeguarding historic collections; encourage collaboration across the cultural heritage community; and strengthen the existing network for professional committed to a greener, more sustainable future for collections.

We invite submissions of abstracts of up to 500 words. Selected presentations should be 30 minutes in length. We welcome contributions from across the sector that offer fresh perspectives on managing climate-controlled environments within storage settings, as well as innovative approaches to HVAC management in the context of the climate crisis. This will be a hybrid event; however, all speakers will be expected to present in person in Leeds, West Yorkshire in early 2027 (date to be confirmed). Funding is available to support selected speakers with travel and accommodation for the night prior to the conference.

The conference is led by the University of Brighton Design Archives and enabled by an award from the University of Brighton Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) / UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) supported Impact Acceleration Account and organised in collaboration with the University of Leeds Libraries' Cultural Collections & Galleries.
Please send proposals by midnight (BST) on the 1st of June, 2026 to s.kutilainen@brighton.ac.uk and amy.sampson@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

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CALL FOR PAPERS on the theme of HVAC shutdown by midnight (BST) 1st of June, 2026

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'Cool Under Pressure: HVAC, Collection Care and the Climate Challenge' Day Conference, 2027 Sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions are pr...

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Heritage Samples Registry Survey

The National Gallery has launched a call for survey participation as part of the International Generic Sample Number (IGSN) based Heritage Samples Registry, an emerging international initiative to support persistent identification, discovery, and sharing of physical samples used in heritage science.

The Registry is a collaboration between The National Gallery, KIK-IRPA, Hellas FORTH, and the Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum, supported by ECHOES EU and others.

They are seeking both to understand current practice and to gauge support for/interest in engaging with the Registry's services as it develops. The survey will collect practical perspectives from a range of researchers and institutions, including those working in heritage science, conservation studios & labs, and other related environments.  The survey is international and offers translations into Greek, German, Spanish, French & Italian.

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Heritage Samples Registry - Community Survey

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The Heritage Samples Registry is a collaborative initiative led by the National Gallery (UK), KIK-IRPA (Belgium), FORTH (Greece), and the Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum (Germany).

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The Heritage Science Data Service has launched its Virtual Research Environment (VRE)

The VRE is a ‘digital workbench’ designed to support professionals across heritage science, heritage, and related fields by providing a central platform to remotely access resources that would otherwise be limited by access to specialist infrastructure or computing power. This includes specialist software (such as Blender, QGIS, CloudCompare, etc.) and HSDS datasets.

Current applications include calibrating large numbers of radiocarbon dates and automated feature detection of cultural heritage features within LiDAR datasets.

The VRE was built by the STFC Hartree Centre.

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The Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS) is thrilled to announce the official launch of the HSDS Virtual Research Environments (VRE), a new way to tackle research challenges that would otherwise be limited by access to…

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‘Innovative Applications of Life Cycle Assessments for Cultural Heritage Conservation’

21st May 2026

The Green Cluster for Science and Conservation Research (a Horizon Europe Research Initiative uniting the work of GoGreen Conservation, Greenart Project, and Moxy EU Horizon) ran a free webinar helping heritage professionals to incorporate a green decision-making framework into their practice.

This is an example of translating research on sustainability in conservation into practice, and of sector progress towards tackling the climate emergency, which the Strategic Framework 2024-27 highlights as a key Societal Challenge to inspire and encourage connections between heritage science research and issues of importance to society.

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Applications of Life Cycle Assessments for Cultural Heritage Conservation

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A webinar on how LCA is applied in the CH sector: from defining green conservation, to developing innovative materials and technologies

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The University of Oxford's HAPP one-day conference on 'Heritage Physics: Illuminating the Past' (February 2026).

Event surveying the history & development of heritage science through physics research & technology. Generates interdisciplinary collaboration by encouraging researchers to consider and discuss the applications of developments in physics research to heritage science.

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HAPP One-Day Conference - Heritage Physics: Illuminating the Past

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This conference will survey the history of how the illumination of the past has developed as new fields of physics have progressed.

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The AHRC RICHeS Access Fund supports researchers and organisations to access RICHeS-funded equipment, collections, facilities and expertise. The first call for applications is open until 10 December 2025.

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The RICHeS Access Fund supports researchers and organisations to access RICHeS-funded equipment, collections, facilities and expertise. This page guides you through the application process, including EOIs, full applications and eligibility.

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Arches for Science (AfS) is purpose-built to help heritage scientists and others secture, retrieve, visualise, compare and share heritage science data.

Arches is an open-source data management platform that is freely available for organisations worldwide to install, configure and extend.

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Arches for Science is a comprehensive system to help heritage scientists, other heritage professionals, and heritage organizations secure, retrieve, visualize, compare, and share heritage science data, and manage tasks in the lab. Arches for Science will be implemented at the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), where it will be known as DISCO (Data Integration for Conservation Science). Arches for Science currently focuses on the technical examination of art, which includes tools for annotations, material sampling, retrieval and visualization of instrument data, and image and data comparison. It is anticipated that this will provide a foundation for the application of Arches for Science for a range of other purposes.

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AHRC's early career fellowships in cultural and heritage institutions (2025) provides funding to early career researchers to conduct research at cultural and heritage institutions. The 2025 call closes on 10 December 2025.

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Aim

The overall purpose of this funding opportunity is to enable early career postdoctoral (or equivalent) researchers to gain research and career experience in the galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM) sector.

You will do this through working in a major cultural or heritage host organisation, on a co-designed research project that will also benefit the host organisation.

The objectives of the scheme are to:

create new opportunities for early career postdoctoral researchers to build, deepen or broaden their experience of working in, and with, major cultural and heritage organisations

develop the fellows' skills and future research career in areas of relevance to the work, collections and practices of cultural and heritage organisations

deliver high quality and impactful research and innovation projects

enhance the host organisation's capacity to undertake research and innovation activities closely aligned with its priorities and strategies, and leading to practical benefits and outcomes for the host

address a need across the GLAM sector in respect of the lack of dedicated support at the early stage of research careers

promote equality, diversity and inclusion principles

strengthen efforts to build and diversify research capabilities in the cultural heritage research and innovation ecosystem

further extend the GLAM sector's engagement with, and contribution to, society

catalyse high quality and impactful research and innovation projects

This will be achieved through funding individual fellowships for early career researchers hosted by cultural and heritage independent research organisations, with a complementary programme of networking events and cohort career development activities for the fellows.

Your fellowship is expected to meet all the above objectives.

Scope

Research themes

The focus of your proposal must fit within one of the IRO priority research areas (XLSX, 129KB).

Proposals should contribute to AHRC's objectives and vision on cultural assets and our strategic delivery plan where appropriate as well as address specific areas of research interest identified by host organisations.

Applications will be welcomed from prospective fellows across the full range of disciplines funded by AHRC, including, but not limited to:

archaeology

cultural and museum studies

history

library and information studies

creative and performing arts

design

visual arts

IRO-based research is motivated by public benefit. Research underpins the curation, conservation and interpretation of places, collections and public programmes that engage millions of people every year. Fellows have the opportunity for their research to have a direct impact on a public institution's collections, practices, and policies - which in turn has an impact on the experience and understanding of members of the public.

The IROs are responsible for some of the UK's most significant cultural heritage collections, natural and built environment and performing arts practice. They are multidisciplinary organisations, whose staff hold expertise and undertake research in a range of fields, crossing chronologies, geographies and media.

IRO research communities represent a diversity of specialism and methodological approach - from historical to scientific, practice- and performance-led to pedagogical research, and much more. Fellows will develop the skills, understanding and experience of what it means to work in this sector and how to share research with different kinds of audiences.

IROs welcome innovative new historical, contextual and interdisciplinary research on the UK's cultural and creative heritage.

In developing your proposal, you need to consider the thematic areas below which meet our vision and respond to IRO priorities.

Research may focus on underexplored collections and places, unlocking opportunities for more inclusive engagement with heritage. It may also seek to realise the cultural, societal and economic capital of under-studied collections, heritage landscapes and cultural assets through data-driven research and AI technologies.

Proposal may contextualise collections and heritage in relation to contemporary themes of national and global relevance, such as exploring how collections and places illuminate identities and mobility.

Creative technology may be applied in the context of practice and performance, while heritage science can be engaged to better understand and conserve collections, sites, materials and environments.

Research may also explore how cultural heritage can address and engage with climate change and biodiversity loss, and the sustainability and resilience of collections and heritage. This includes, for example:

collection care

greener institutional practices

efficiency gains in collections management, discoverability and access

risk management

sustainability and the historic environment, including resilience and non-invasive adaptation of historic building fabrics

Research could also enhance current and explore future practices in cultural, heritage and creative organisations. This includes, for example:

application of digital technologies and responsible AI

design thinking or creative methods

balancing open research with copyright and IP

provenance and collection/institution history research to support organisational decision-making

co-design of research to open collections to new users or engage new audiences with heritage spaces

research which helps connect communities, both local and global, with heritage sites and collections

next generation curatorial practices and digital collections

As a candidate for a fellowship, you may develop these themes using a range of methodologies, including practice-based, action research and conservation and heritage science approaches.

Outcomes might include enhanced skills and career pathways within the cultural and heritage sector or, for example, contributions to curatorial, learning or educational practices.

Read the IRO priority research areas (XLSX, 104KB) for more information on specific research themes identified by host organisations. You will need to request any additional documents listed in the IRO priority research areas from the named contact at the IRO.
Read the contact details for IROs (PDF, 136KB).
You must consult the named contact at the host organisation you would like to work with in advance of your application.

Training and development

This funding opportunity includes a tailored training and development programme for the cohort of fellows, designed to support researchers working across the GLAM and HEI sectors. The programme builds on the successful model delivered by the Cohort Coordination and Development Team at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) during the pilot phase, and will include sector-specific skills training, panel discussions, and networking activities to foster peer-learning and cohort identity.

It will support engagement within and beyond the fellow cohort, career development, and inclusive participation. The programme will be delivered primarily online, with some in-person events, including a residential. Fellows are expected to actively engage with the programme, with activities averaging at 0.5 days per week.

Further details about the current training and development programme are available from the Victoria & Albert Museum's Early Career Research Fellowships in Cultural and Heritage Institutions.

Duration

Your fellowship can be full-time, part-time or hybrid (a combination of the two). It can last for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years (longer if part-time).

We expect fellowships to start 1 January 2027 unless exceptional circumstances apply, for example on EDI grounds.

The host independent research organisation will administer the fellowship award and employ you for the period of the fellowship. You will be listed as the project lead of your fellowship grant.

You can include the cost of a short period of research assistance or technical assistance (no more than 12 months full time equivalent in total) to support specific activities in support of your research project.

The fellow must do the majority of the proposed research activity. We encourage you to refer to the principles of the Research Development Concordat and the AHRC guidance on training and developing early career researchers in the arts and humanities when planning and facilitating the work of your research assistant.

Funding available

The full economic cost of your project can be up to £312,500.

AHRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost.

The host institution must contribute the remaining 20% of the full economic cost.

If your expression of interest is successful, the host organisation and the fellow must work together to prepare the budget as part of the application process.

We will contribute to the cost of mentoring. However, institutions may provide additional mentoring support alongside other forms of leadership or career development support for early career applicants, as a part of their additional support for the fellowship.

This route can also include collaborative projects and placements between the IRO host and other GLAM organisations or other partner institutions.

Non-IROs may wish to consider collaborating with an IRO host to offer a placement opportunity for the fellow. This would enable the fellow to spend part of the fellowship with the organisation, for example, to work on a specific project or collection. Costs incurred through placements can be included as part of your funding applications.

Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I)

UKRI is committed in ensuring that effective international collaboration in research and innovation takes place with integrity and within strong ethical frameworks. Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) is a UKRI work programme designed to help protect all those working in our thriving and collaborative international sector by enabling partnerships to be as open as possible, and as secure as necessary. Our TR&I Principles set out UKRI's expectations of organisations funded by UKRI in relation to due diligence for international collaboration.

As such, applicants for UKRI funding may be asked to demonstrate how their proposed projects will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help proportionately reduce these risks.

See further guidance and information about TR&I, including where you can find additional support.

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Early career fellowships in cultural and heritage institutions: 2025

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Apply for funding to conduct research at participating cultural and heritage institutions.

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NHSF's Research Priorities task group is updating the Filling the Gaps resource to crowd-source information on conservation and heritage science research carried out 2015-2025. NHSF will use this to work out areas that are a priority for heritage science research.

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Filling the Gaps | National Heritage Science Forum

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In 2015, the NHSF commissioned an initial review of the heritage science research that had been carried out since 2009. The resulting report Filling the Gaps maps research listed on the Gateway to Research (i.e. funded by the UK Research Councils) to the gaps in knowledge and practice identified during the development of the National Heritage Science Strategy, in the first of three evidence reports: The role of science in the management of the UK’s heritage.

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The HSDS small grants programme offers up to £25,000 to unlock innovation in heritage science and conservation research in the UK. There are two streams (both part of the UKRI RICHeS programme).

1 - Enhance access to heritage resources (make your heritage science data and collections accessible).

2. Build virtual research environments (partner with STFC Hartree's software engineering experts on cutting-edge digital tools).

Deadline - 28 November 2025.

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Applications are now live for our new Small Grants Programme, offering up to £25,000 to unlock innovation in heritage science and conservation research across the UK.

Ready to Transform Your Heritage Research?

Funding is made available under two streams thanks to the generosity of through AHRC's initiative:

Stream 1: Enhance Access to Heritage Resources (up to £25,000) Make your heritage science data and collections accessible to the wider research community.

Stream 2: Build Virtual Research Environments (up to £15,000) Partner with STFC Hartree Centre's software engineering experts to develop cutting-edge digital tools.

Key Details

Deadline: 28 November 2025, 5pm GMT

Funding: 100% Full Economic Cost covered

Open to: UK universities, museums, archives, galleries, community partners, and UKRI Independent Research Organisations

Don't Miss Our Information Sessions

Get guidance on your application at our online sessions:
Both sessions cover the same content, so you only need to attend one.
Transform your heritage science research with dedicated funding support.

Visit our Small Grants Programme page for full details and application materials, or contact with any questions.
Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI), through the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) programme.

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HSDS Small Grants Programme Now Open for Applications

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Applications are now live for our new Small Grants Programme, offering up to £25,000 to unlock innovation in heritage science and conservation research across the UK. Ready to Transform Your Heritage Research? Funding is made...

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The Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS) has launched its data catalogue and catalogue of services.

Use the data catalogue to find heritage science and conservation research data. Use the catalogue of services to discover research facilities including reference collections. These are pilot catalogues that will continue to develop over the RICHeS programme.

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Explore our catalogues of heritage science and conservation research data and services.

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The ICCROM Heritage Samples Initiative aims to improve the recognition, preservation, management, access and use of heritage samples archives. More than 20 institutions have joined ICCROM as partners in the initiative.

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Many cultural heritage institutions worldwide, including ICCROM, hold material samples archives comprising samples collected from heritage objects and sites, reference materials and replicas. These historic resources are non-renewable and have huge potential for future research and didactic purposes, but they are often little known, and their value under recognized. In addition, they pose very particular challenges concerning their physical safeguarding, access and use. As a result, they are critically threatened.

Recognizing these challenges, ICCROM launched Heritage Samples Archives Initiative (HSAI) to promote the long-term survival and use of these collections.

The HSAI aims to improve the recognition, preservation, management, access and use of heritage samples archives, pursuing the following objectives:

Raise awareness of the value and importance of sample archives.

Develop good practices, policies, procedures, tools, and methodologies (e.g. through guidance documents and case study examples) for the management of sample archives.

Develop a roadmap for increasing the accessibility and use of samples archives, connecting them through open digital platforms.

To date, more than 20 institutions have joined ICCROM as partners in the initiative, and different activities have been developed. Discover them below.

How are we working?

Image credit: Dresden University of Fine Arts, Germany.

The initiative takes action through the following five working groups:

Values and Significance
To improve the ways in which heritage sample archives are described and communicated, in particular with regard to their values for diverse stakeholders.

Cataloguing and Archival Management
To enhance the preservation and use of heritage sample archives through providing guidance and tools for establishing minimum baseline requirements for samples archives management.

Access and Use
To enable increased access to, and sustainable use of, heritage sample archives through providing practical guidance on how to develop policies for granting access to different users within the available resources of the organization.

Connecting Data Across Collections
To share information on heritage samples archives through a manageable communal platform, modelled on the minimum information required to connect samples archives, taking into consideration user requirements.

Research Opportunities
To evidence the value of heritage sample archives, promote their use as research resources, and identify ways to foster the research potential of sample archives.

Who are our partners?

In addition to ICCROM, the initiative comprises more than 20 partner institutions:

Want to know more?

If you are interested in more information about the HSAI, please contact: María Mata Caravaca ( archive@iccrom.org), Alison Heritage ( ah@iccrom.org).

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initiative sur les archives d'échantillons du patrimoine (hsai)

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connecting collections: unlocking value in heritage samples archives

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How are we working? The initiative takes action through the following five working groups:Values and SignificanceTo improve the ways in which heritage sample...

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Mathematics in Archaeology and the Study of Museum Collections

An event (September 2025) to explore the use of mathematics in cultural heritage applications.

Aims to bring researchers from different disciplines together to explore the potential for using mathematical and statistical techniques in solving pressing problems in the study and preservation of cultural heritage.

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Mathematics in Archaeology and the Study of Museum Collections - ICMS

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Horizon Europe - Cluster 2: Culture, creativity and inclusive society.

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Horizon Europe - Cluster 2: "Culture, creativity and inclusive society"

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Research and innovation funding for an open and inclusive society.

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ICCROM launches heritage samples management guide.

A new resource to support heritage professionals to safeguard collections of heritage samples - a vital resource for research and training.

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ICCROM launches heritage samples management guide Does your institution hold a collection of heritage samples? Are you facing challenges with their management,…

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Events by Historic Environment Scotland that explain how science is used to understand materials, masonry systems and their behaviours; and how science is applied to archaeology.

Complemented with a networking session and practical demonstrations of analytical equipment at the Engine Shed.

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Heritage Science at the Engine Shed | Explore Your Built Heritage

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An introduction to the applied use of material science in heritage conservation in Scotland.

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Filling the Gaps was an exercise led by NHSF in 2015-16 to crowd-source knowledge of research that addresses the gaps identified in the 2010 National Heritage Science Strategy.

The new NHSF Research Priorities task group is now re-visiting that work to add more research to the database and highlight new gaps that have arisen since 2015. The work starts with a pilot exercise in July 2025, with the goal of rolling it out more widely in the autumn.

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Filling the Gaps | National Heritage Science Forum

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In 2015, the NHSF commissioned an initial review of the heritage science research that had been carried out since 2009. The resulting report Filling the Gaps maps research listed on the Gateway to Research (i.e. funded by the UK Research Councils) to the gaps in knowledge and practice identified during the development of the National Heritage Science Strategy, in the first of three evidence reports: The role of science in the management of the UK’s heritage.

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Trends in Heritage Science 2025

A first conference by the National Heritage Science Forum to explore 'what's next for heritage science'.

2025 themes:

The economic value of heritage science

Towards sustainable historic buildings

Digital innovation in heritage science

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Our conference on 10 July 2025 explored the role of heritage science research and innovation in addressing global challenges.
Our first conference on the theme 'Trends in Heritage Science' took place on Thursday 10 July 2025, at University College London. CONFERENCE BROCHURE: Trends in Heritage Science 2025 (pdf)
Focusing on 'what's next for heritage science', the conference included presentations and panel discussions, exhibitors, workshops, a poster session and opportunities to network.

The conference explored three main themes:

1. The economic value of heritage science - How economists, policy-makers and heritage scientists are working together in emerging paradigms to assess the value of heritage.

2. Towards sustainable historic buildings - How heritage science can help, in times of climate emergency, balance the needs of conservation and energy efficiency.

3. Digital innovation in heritage science - How future heritage science will integrate digital twins, virtual reality and AI.

Conference declaration: At the end of the NHSF conference, Trends in Heritage Science, participants from academic and heritage institutions across the UK and beyond, including professionals at all career stages and roles, came together to affirm a declaration of the need for heritage science to meet global challenges and demonstrate its capacity to strengthen heritage and society more broadly. Read the full declaration here.

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NHSF Conference | Trends in Heritage Science

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Our first conference on the theme 'Trends in Heritage Science' took place on Thursday 10 July 2025, at University College London. CONFERENCE BROCHURE: Trends in Heritage Science 2025 (pdf) Focusing on 'what's next for heritage science', the conference included presentations and panel discussions, exhibitors, workshops, a poster session and opportunities to network.

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ARTEMIS - Applying Reactive Twins to Enhance Monument Information Systems.

State-of-the art digital twins and AR/VR technology to bridge the gap between heritage and innovation.

A 3-year research project involving a consortium of 22 European partners and 2 affiliates, led by the National Research Council of Italy.

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The Cultural Heritage Cloud is a shared platform designed to provide heritage professionals and researchers with access to data, scientific resources, training and advanced digital tools.

It's developed by ECHOES (European Cloud for Heritage OpEn Science) - funded by the European Commission and UK Research and Innovation.

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Echoes – Eccch – European Cloud for Heritage OpEn Science

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ECCCH The Cultural Heritage
Cloud Learn more about ECCCH Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future: your Gateway to a Collaborative and Innovative European Cultural Heritage Community The Cultural Heritage Cloud (ECCCH) is a shared platform designed to provide heritage professionals and researchers with access to data,

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UCL to pioneer cutting-edge technology for cultural heritage analyses.

In March 2025 UCL successfully secured funding to acquire a Bruker IRIS combined XRF-Hyperspectral scanner. This ground-breaking piece of equipment has the potential to unlock new research opportunities and cross-disciplinary collaborations.

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UCL Faculty of Social & Historical Sciences

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UCL to Pioneer Cutting-Edge Technology for Cultural Heritage Analyses

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We are excited to announce that UCL will soon become one of the few sites in Europe equipped with a Bruker IRIS combined XRF-Hyperspectral scanner, the most advanced technology engineered for non-invasive analyses of heritage collections.

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The Royal Society of Chemistry Outreach Fund supports projects that connect communities from all backgrounds with the chemical sciences.

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Eligible audiences

Our The Future Chemistry Workforce and Educational Pathways report (2024) has highlighted that there is a shortage of STEM skills and subject expertise in the UK. The Public Attitudes to Chemistry study (2015) found that while overall the public is positive about chemistry's contribution to society, they lack confidence and have an absence of an emotional connection with chemistry.

This fund aims to address this by funding grants for schools and public groups without restriction on the type of audience, to connect communities from all backgrounds with the chemical sciences.

"The outreach fund is well set up and administered to allow small organisations to run innovative and meaningful projects that deliver strong outcomes for young people."
Dr Virginia Crompton, CEO, Big Ideas

Funding for under-represented audiences

Further research done to inform our Inclusion & Diversity strategy has highlighted that many groups face barriers to entering and staying in chemistry, and are under-represented compared with the general population.

This includes women at senior levels ( Breaking the Barriers, 2018); members of the LGBT+ community ( Exploring the Workplace for LGBT+ Physical Scientists, 2019), disabled people ( Disability in the chemical sciences, 2023), people from Black and minoritised ethnicities ( Missing Elements, 2022) and people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds ( Is chemistry accessible for all?, 2020).

You can find all these reports in our inclusion and diversity policy section.

The Chemists' Community Fund provides the Outreach Fund with ring-fenced additional funding to support initiatives that closely align to the CCF's guiding principles - projects that engage directly with under-represented groups and audiences and enable them to participate in chemistry-based engagement activities. We are particularly interested in funding work with audiences including people with disabilities and people facing social, economic and educational disadvantages. Under-represented audiences may include, but are not limited to:

Individuals/groups from low socio-economic background/status

Individuals/groups from minoritised / minority ethnic backgrounds

SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)/SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties)/ASN (Additional Support Needs) students

LGBT+ individuals/groups

Disabled individuals/disability groups

Children in care/care leavers

Young carers

Individuals/groups in rural locations

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Supporting members, individuals and organisations to enable them to run chemistry-based engagement activities.

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RICHeS (the UK's Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science) was appointed the United Kingdom's National Node for the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS) on 31st March 2025.

This will support UK researchers to access cutting-edge facilities in Europe.

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RICHeS is delighted to announce that, as of Monday 31 March 2025, the RICHeS Infrastructure Headquarters (IHQ) has officially become the United Kingdom's National Node for the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS). This milestone highlights the UK's commitment to advancing conservation and heritage science.

E-RIHS, now established as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium(ERIC), is committed to promoting an integrated approach to understanding, conserving and appreciating our shared cultural heritage. By uniting world-class facilities and expertise across Europe, E-RIHS drives scientific excellence and innovation in conservation and heritage science. Its primary activities focus on:

Providing state-of-the-art, excellence-driven, open access to infrastructure through four integrated platforms: ARCHLAB, DIGILAB, FIXLAB, and MOLAB

Developing standardised practices, protocols and an ecosystem of data, tools and services for conservation and heritage science research

Fostering an inclusive, multidisciplinary approach to research in conservation and heritage science

Ensuring the training and development of the next generation of heritage scientists

The role of RICHeS IHQ as the UK National Node

As the UK's National Node, RICHeS IHQ will serve as a vital link between the UK and Europe, facilitating access to cutting-edge research infrastructure, collaborative research opportunities and comprehensive training programs through the E-RIHS HS Academy. Since its inception, the UK, as a founding member, has an active role in the E-RIHS initiative, contributing advanced methodologies and services from world-leading institutions.

RICHeS IHQ brings together a consortium of Access Providers, offering access to expertise and state-of-the-art facilities. These partnerships strengthen the UK's role within E-RIHS ERIC by:

Enabling new research opportunities in conservation and heritage science

Enhancing transnational access to research infrastructure

Contributing to the global effort to safeguard and better understand cultural heritage for future generations.

Strengthening collaboration in conservation and heritage science

The integration of RICHeS IHQ into the E-RIHS network is a significant step in RICHeS' mission to foster collaborations and interdisciplinary approaches in conservation and heritage science. As a distributed research infrastructure, RICHeS ensures that heritage science equipment, expertise, resources and research data are findable, accessible and effectively utilised by a broad spectrum of users. By strengthening partnerships and bridging disciplines, RICHeS strive to empower users to drive innovation in study of our shared cultural heritage.

Through this enhanced collaboration, RICHeS aims to elevate the impact of conservation and heritage science, ensuring that knowledge and best practices are shared across borders. RICHeS is excited about the opportunities this consortium will generate and looks forward to working alongside European colleagues to advance the boundaries of conservation and heritage science.

Contact

For more information about RICHeS IHQ as the UK National Node, please contact us at: e-rihs.uk@ahrc.ukri.org

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RICHeS IHQ becomes the UK National Node of E-RIHS

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RICHeS is delighted to announce that, as of Monday 31 March 2025, the RICHeS Infrastructure Headquarters (IHQ) has officially become the United Kingdom's National Node for the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS). This milestone highlights the UK's commitment to advancing conservation and heritage science.

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Science and Engineering Research for Cultural Heritage Conference - 12 February 2025.

Hosted by the network of excellence for Science and Engineering Research for Cultural Heritage, supported by the Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering at Imperial College London.

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Science and Engineering Research for Cultural Heritage Conference 2025

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Join us on 12 February 2025 in South Kensington, London, for the SERCH Conference: a dynamic event exploring innovation in science, engineering, and cultural heritage. Dive into our theme, Science in Safe Hands, and connect with pioneers shaping conservation and restoration.

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AHRC responsive mode Standard Research Grants.

Your organisation must be eligible for UKRI funding.

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Before applying for funding, check the following:

Who is eligible to apply

The UKRI Funding Service will offer a simpler and better experience through a funding process which is supported by more consistent and robust policies and guidance.

UKRI is updating the individual eligibility policy to make the application process more inclusive and consistent across research council funding opportunities. Anyone previously eligible for funding will continue to be so. Further details of the new policy will be announced in due course.

Your proposal must include a principal investigator and at least one co-investigator. Each team member must contribute to:

the development of the research proposal

project leadership and management

joint publication of authored research

Principal investigators must be actively engaged in postdoctoral research and be of postdoctoral standing. This means you must have a doctorate or can demonstrate in your application that you have equivalent research experience or training. You must have a level of skills, knowledge and experience that is appropriate to your proposed project.

You must be either:

employed by the research organisation submitting the proposal

have an existing written formal arrangement with the research organisation confirming that you will be able to carry out the research as if you were an employee

scheduled to move to the research organisation before the proposed start date of the grant

For more information on eligibility read our research funding guide.

International applicants

We also encourage international researchers to participate as co-investigators.

Recipients of research council fellowships, who are initially supported as postdoctoral research assistants on research grants, are eligible to apply for new research grants but must complete their duties on the original grant before starting the new award.

Who is not eligible to apply

We do not support project studentships within open research grant funding opportunities.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.

We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:

career breaks

support for people with caring responsibilities

flexible working

alternative working patterns

Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at UKRI and AHRC's equality, diversity and inclusion policy.

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Pre-announcement: AHRC responsive mode: standard research grant

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Before applying for funding, check the following: The UKRI Funding Service will offer a simpler and better experience through a funding process which is supported by more consistent and robust policies and guidance. UKRI is updating the individual eligibility policy to make the application process more inclusive and consistent across research council funding opportunities.

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The Heritage Science Data Service provides core digital research services as part of the RICHeS programme (the UK's Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science). The HSDS will unlock potential for innovation in heritage science and conservation research, and its capacity to advance understanding, preservation and management of UK heritage.

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E-RIHS is the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science, supporting the study, interpretation, conservation, documentation and management of cultural heritage. It offers access to cutting-edge laboratories, tools and data, and provides training opportunities in heritage science.

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The 1st call is open til September 2025!

E-RIHS is the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science, supporting the study, interpretation, conservation, documentation, and management of cultural heritage. Officially established as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) on 28 March 2025, it offers access to cutting-edge laboratories, tools, and data, and provides training opportunities in heritage science.

We provide access services through four integrated physical and virtual platforms: ARCHLAB, MOLAB, FIXLAB and new entry DIGILAB.

We organize and promote training activities: international, cutting-edge training opportunities and events in Heritage Science.

E-RIHS operates through a Central Hub, based in Florence (Italy), and 11 National Nodes across Europe.
Currently, the National Nodes are active in Cyprus, France, Hungary, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Slovenia and the United Kingdom.
Prospective permanent observer: ICCROM

Interoperability and F.A.I.R. Data: What they are and their importance for the cultural heritage community | Online | July 12, 2025

Call for Access to E-RIHS ERIC Services

Archeosciencefest 2025 in Utrecht Brings Together Dutch Heritage Science Community

Fourth and Final H2IOSC TNA/NA Call Now Open

Interoperability and F.A.I.R. Data: What they are and their importance for the cultural heritage community | Online | July 12, 2025

Call for Access to E-RIHS ERIC Services

Archeosciencefest 2025 in Utrecht Brings Together Dutch Heritage Science Community

Fourth and Final H2IOSC TNA/NA Call Now Open

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E-RIHS is the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science, supporting the study, interpretation, conservation, documentation, and management of cultural heritage.

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RICHeS is the UK's research infrastructure for conservation and heritage science. The RICHeS programme will unlock access to heritage science facilities by creating a distributed infrastructure of heritage science collections and equipment. It represents an £80 million commitment from UKRI. It has already funded 31 projects in the first phase of infrastructure development.

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The RICHeS programme will unlock access to heritage science facilities by creating a distributed infrastructure of heritage science collections and equipment.