Endangered Crafts Fund Project Outline Form

About the Heritage Crafts Endangered Crafts Fund 2026 - Round 14

Heritage Crafts uses a system of four categories of risk to assess the viability of heritage crafts. The Red List of Endangered Crafts, the first research of its kind to rank the UK’s traditional crafts by the likelihood that they will survive into the next generation. The report assessed 285 crafts to ascertain those which are at greatest risk of disappearing, of which five were classified as extinct, 93 as ‘endangered’ and a further 72 as ‘critically endangered’.

The Endangered Crafts Fund was set up to ensure that the most at-risk crafts within the UK are given the support they need to thrive. The fund is designed to support solo practitioners and micro-businesses who otherwise could not afford to step back from production in order to tackle an obstacle that is inhibiting their long-term viability.

This fund is aimed primarily at existing craft practitioners. If you are new to craft or starting a new craft business, you may wish to consider applying for a training bursary.

If you are not sure which fund is best for you then please email Rae Weaver, the Grants, Awards and Membership Officer at: rae@heritagecrafts.org.uk 

The project grants offered are up to £2,500 and are entirely funded through donations and charitable trusts. The fund is open to individuals, micro-businesses and community organisations who can demonstrate that they are working to promote the skills and knowledge of crafts that are listed on our most recent edition of the Red List of Endangered Crafts 2025.

What will we fund?

There are a number of routes to supporting craft skills. Applicants can apply for a grant for any amount up to £2,500 which can cover or contribute towards:

Implementing changes that will ensure the longer-term viability or survival of heritage craft skills, for example:

• developing a new, innovative approach to heritage craft skills;

• investing in more efficient equipment or machinery;

• developing new routes to market;

• exploring the use of sustainable alternative materials while maintaining the heritage character of your practice.

Direct and indirect skills transfer, for example:

• taking on a trainee or apprentice;

• preparing to teach courses, including the creation of training materials;

• online or video content to support skills sharing and documentation;

• specialist tools and equipment to facilitate training.

Continuous professional development, for example: 

• acquiring the knowledge and skills required to run a successful small business;

• acquiring the advanced craft skills or allied craft skills necessary to make a craft practice more viable, e.g. through a training course or self-directed learning.    

   

What will not be funded?

The grant cannot be used for: 

• exhibitions or other awareness raising activities that do not directly address skills;

• general living expenses or ongoing salary costs; 

• marketing activities, website development etc.

You can submit your application using the form below, or you can send us a video application that is no longer than 15 minutes and addresses all the questions that are detailed in the form. You can access a list of questions here. Video applications can be sent to Rae: rae@heritagecrafts.org.uk 

Please take the time to read through our FAQs online via this link. This will help to answer some important commonly asked questions.

How will we assess it?

All eligible applications go to a panel made up of practising craftspeople and the Heritage Crafts team. We will be assessing applications for:

• How effectively the project ensures the continuation of endangered skills?

• How likely is it that the benefits of this project will have a lasting impact on endangered craft skills?

• How well do you consider and implement measures that increase your ongoing sustainability?

• How does your experience ensure that the project will be delivered successfully?
  
  

What happens if your application is successful?

In addition to the funding you will receive ongoing support from Tess, the Recipient Engagement and Impact Lead and rest of the Heritage Crafts team to ensure that your project is a success.

This support will be unique to your project but it could include mentoring support, business support or signposting to other opportunities. We will make an appointment for a semi-structured interview about your project, which is an opportunity for you to talk through your ideas and develop a project plan. We will work with you to monitor progress and support you to achieve your aims.    

What happens if your application is unsuccessful?

Please keep in mind that this is a very competitive process and we always receive more applications than we can fund.

If you are unsuccessful in this round, you are welcome to apply again for a future round. There are two rounds per year. Once submitted you will receive a copy of your application to your email inbox. 

In any case please monitor all of your inboxes at these times, to ensure that our response doesn't get lost in your Junk folder. This can be avoided by saving our emails to your Safe Sender list.

 

The deadline for applications is 5pm, Friday 8 May 2026.  

After reading the FAQ you still have further questions about the grant, then please email Rae Weaver, the Grants, Awards and Membership Officer at: rae@heritagecrafts.org.uk.

Time is precious and we don't want you to complete the application if you are not eligible for this grant.

If you cannot answer yes to any of the initial questions below, it is unlikely that you will be successful in your application. We hope to be as open as possible but cannot support everyone.

See the The Red List of Endangered Crafts here.

Unfortunately, you do not meet the eligibility requirements for the Endangered Crafts Fund. 

Please take a look at our Opportunities page to find out more about other funding that might be available to you.

If you have any questions or need further advice, please feel free to get in touch with Rae at rae@heritagecrafts.org.uk

It is great that you are eligible to apply for the Endangered Crafts Fund. To submit the strongest application you can, it is worth gathering the details below in advance of completing the form to avoid any delays.

It is now possible to save a draft of your application before submission by clicking 'Save', however we would highly recommend you download a copy of the questions here, so you can prepare your responses before submitting the application.

To complete an application, you will need:

• Full details of your project or proposal.

• Associated costs and a breakdown of how you would use the funds, in full.

• Supporting images: Up to four images to help demonstrate your skills to date as well as at least one of you making.

Please see our FAQs to answer your commonly asked questions

* Please note, we will only use this information to keep you updated about the work of Heritage Crafts, in accordance with our privacy policy. Heritage Crafts does not pass on contact details to any other individual or organisation.

If no, please take this opportunity to explore how being a member can further support both you and us as a charity. Find out more here.

Heritage Crafts is currently providing support for the crafts listed as critically endangered, endangered or extinct on the Red List of Endangered Crafts. You can find the full list here.

If you are not sure whether your craft is eligible, then please do feel free to ask us well in advance of the deadline: rae@heritagecrafts.org.uk.

Location

Projects can be based anywhere in the UK, however projects based in Scotland, Essex and Sussex may be considered for ring-fenced funds offered in partnership with funders.

• Please send up to four images.

• At least one of these images needs to be of you making/ taking part in your craft, and others of your work/ Or the project that you want to fund.

• Please provide these images as .jpeg files (no larger than 10Mb per image.)

• You may also upload business plans or wider documents to support your application.

• Please clearly label the images or documents with your full name and numbered 1 to 5 (ie. JoeBloggs1.jpg).

Please give a breakdown of how the money will be used

• If you are asking for a part-contribution to the project, please include the full project costs and highlight the elements this grant would support.

• If you are developing a training offer to share skills, please include the breakdown of all associated costs for this, as well as any projected income from fees you plan to charge your trainees/participants.

• Please ensure costs include delivery, VAT or other additional expenses associated with the purchases.

Thank you for completing this project outline form

Eligible projects will be invited to progress to the next stage in collaboration with Heritage Crafts. All applications will be judged by a panel of professionals. Please note that this is a competitive process and not all applications will receive funding.

If you have any questions or would like to talk over your project idea, you can email Rae Weaver, the Grants, Awards and Membership Officer at: rae@heritagecrafts.org.uk.

 

In the event of being offered a grant:

• I undertake to keep Heritage Crafts fully and immediately informed of all developments connected with this project by contacting a member of the support team

• I agree to use the grant only for the purposes listed above

• I will keep and forward to Heritage Crafts all receipts/proof of purchases for items and costs associated with this grant

• I understand that I am liable for costs if accurate receipts are not supplied to Heritage Crafts for purchases made as part of the project

• The project and all funds will be used within 12months of the grant offer

• I will share updates on progress of my training at key points  

• I will accept (by prior appointment) a visit from Heritage Crafts staff

• I agree to images and testimonials shared being used by Heritage Crafts

• I will cooperate (where possible) with any Heritage Crafts publicity requests