We offer two rounds of funding each year.

Please check here for dates

All endangered craft practitioners and organisations working to promote craft

Individuals and businesses who need to develop new ways of achieving commercial success, thereby strengthening the future of an endangered craft.

For the purpose of this fund, an “endangered craft” is one specifically listed on our Red List of Endangered Crafts.

These are crafts that have been practised for two or more generations but are currently at significant risk due to a small number of practitioners, a lack of apprentices, or other critical factors.

They invariably require a high level of manual dexterity, specialised knowledge, and traditional hand skills. Please refer to our Red List of Endangered Crafts for full details.

If you’re unsure if your craft qualifies, please contact Rae well in advance of the deadline: [email protected] 

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 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.

Funding from the Endangered Craft Fund cannot be used for:

• General living expenses.
• Research purposes not directly tied to the acquisition of hands-on skills in an endangered craft.
• Promotional activities for your craft business.
• Anything else not directly related to the acquisition of traditional hand skills crucial for the survival of an endangered craft.

You can apply for any amount up to £2,500. We generally encourage applicants to apply for the full £2,500 to maximise the impact on their skill development and the broader goal of endangered craft preservation.

Applications are typically made by completing an online application form available on the Heritage Crafts website once it goes live.

You also have the option to submit a video/audio application (usually no more than 15 minutes) addressing all the questions in the form, specifically highlighting your commitment to an endangered craft.

Yes, in addition to general funding for endangered crafts, Heritage Crafts sometimes offers ring-fenced opportunities for specific groups or regions, further bolstering diversity and access within endangered craft practice. These might include:

• Trainees who intend to work in specific regions (e.g., Scotland, Wales, Sussex) where an endangered craft is particularly vulnerable.
• Specific craft categories (e.g., precious metals, fashion and textiles) that feature endangered skills. Applicants are automatically considered for all relevant categories for which they qualify.
• Provision for community led projects for the sharing or development of hand skills is also considered for each round. 

You’ll be asked to provide detailed information about:

• Your personal information (name, contact details).
• Your proposed project plan, explicitly detailing how this funding will help you overcome barriers or develop skills in an endangered craft.
• The specific endangered heritage craft you wish to pursue or develop, and critically, why its preservation is important to you.
• Whether you are a Heritage Crafts member (though this is not a requirement for application).
• Images and links to support your application

• For these application images what we want to see are demonstrations of work relevant to your application. 
• Send up to three images 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 1-5.

Yes, you can download a copy of the questions here

No, being a member isn’t a requirement to apply for the Endangered Craft Fund. However, we always welcome new members and have a range of affordable options available.

The Makers is an ever growing community of makers, organisations and craft curious folk across the UK with exclusive events and opportunities on offer. Find out more here.

All applications are assessed by a diverse panel comprising Heritage Crafts staff, trustees, experienced makers, and external craft experts.

This panel rigorously evaluates each application against set criteria, with a strong emphasis on the potential impact on the endangered craft, to ensure fairness and transparency in the selection process.

Shortlisted candidates are typically invited for an interview via Zoom.

No, the assessment isn’t about judging your skills at filling in forms or your literary prowess.

Whether you submit a written application or a video/audio submission, the most important thing is to clearly and comprehensively communicate what you want to do, why you want to do it (specifically for an endangered craft), and how this funding will enable your development to contribute to the craft’s survival.

Focus on articulating your passion, your detailed plan, and the tangible impact the funding will have on preserving the craft.

Applications undergo assessment, shortlisting, and final selection by the Heritage Crafts judging team.

Interviews are typically conducted via Zoom for shortlisted candidates. Successful applicants often receive support from the Heritage Crafts team to develop an action plan and monitor progress, ensuring the skills acquired contribute to the future of their endangered craft.

No, once you have started you have to submit it or lose your changes. We recommend that you draft your application in a separate document and then cut and paste it into the form. 

You can download a copy of the questions here

Your proposed project or training must typically start within the next 12 months of the application period.

Training can run over the course of a year, allowing for in-depth learning and demonstrating a significant impact on your chosen endangered craft.

Application deadlines vary, there are usually two rounds per year.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, particularly concerning the suitability of your chosen endangered craft, you can email Rae, but be sure to do so well in advance of the deadline: [email protected]

Please be aware that the Endangered Craft Fund is highly competitive. We typically receive a very large number of applications for a limited number of awards, reflecting the critical need for craft preservation.

While we wish we could support every deserving applicant, this is simply not possible due to funding limitations. We encourage all eligible individuals committed to an endangered craft to apply, but please understand that success is not guaranteed.

Yes, if your application is unsuccessful, you can reapply in future rounds. We encourage you to review your application, consider any feedback you may have received (if applicable), and refine your proposal, especially in how it contributes to the survival of your chosen endangered craft, for subsequent submissions.

Please bear in mind that each new application is assessed independently by a panel of craft experts, so while addressing any previous feedback is certainly beneficial, it doesn’t guarantee success in subsequent rounds.

No, we’d encourage you to apply for the full amount. Any additional funding will not affect what you may be eligible for from us.

Unfortunately not, we only fund for training for those based in the UK and who intend to stay for the foreseeable. 

Yes, but we would expect it to be the lesser part of the grant

If the skills you need are available in the UK then we are unlikely to fund overseas travel. However, if it can be proved that the training is only available overseas, we may consider funding it.

In brief, it is not designed to fund residencies or awareness projects. 

This funding would need to be specifically for an Endangered Craft according to the most recent Red List of Endangered Crafts