National Archives Trust

The National Archives Trust, an independent UK charity established in 2019, partners closely with The National Archives to enrich lives by promoting knowledge and enjoyment of the nation's vast archival collections—over 11 million items including Magna Carta and the Empire Windrush list—to the widest possible audience. Its mission champions archives as democratic tools for learning, community development, national identity, and understanding contemporary issues, transforming public engagement through inclusive exhibitions, touring displays, educational programmes, and outreach that demystify history for non-specialists.

It funds projects advancing public education on history, citizenship, and democracy via original sources, prioritising innovative initiatives like the Clore Learning Centre for nationwide school engagement, community events, and partnerships with foundations such as Clore Duffield. Beneficiaries include young people, schools, educators, local communities, minority groups, and lifelong learners, with emphasis on inclusivity, barrier removal, and scalable national or regional impact across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Eligible entities are UK-registered charities and academic institutions, favouring medium-to-large organisations or consortia capable of transformative, partnership-driven projects; very small grassroots groups are typically excluded. Grants range from £50,000 to £250,000+ for multi-year programmes, capital builds, and sector innovation, but not unrestricted/core costs, emergency relief, small-scale efforts, preservation/digitisation alone, or commercialisation. Invite-only with no open applications, deadlines, or fixed rounds—trustees select partners ad hoc—its distinctive national scope, high-profile governance, and focus on new audiences set it apart for heritage projects amplifying archives in civic life.