About the Open Call

The Esmée Fairbairn Communities and Collections Fund is the evolution of the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, with a new name that better represents our dual focus on collections and inclusion. We award the fund on behalf of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and have awarded over £14m in nearly 200 grants since 2011. The overall purpose of the Communities and Collections Fund remains the same as in 2023-24. However, we have updated our processes to better support the best of the types of application we have been receiving; and to take the fund further in the direction of the changes made in 2022. The fund places more emphasis on equitable working, supporting wellbeing and legacy planning. We now offer core grants to single museum organisations for strategic development of their inclusive collections work; and partnership project grants for museums and community organisations working equitably with collections to achieve shared aims for inclusion. The changes are informed by a spring 2024 review of our impact in the context of the wider UK museum sector and the society in which it exists.

What is Offered

Grants for strategic development of inclusive collections work and equitable partnerships with community organizations.

Requirements

The fund offers core grants to single museum organisations for strategic development of their inclusive collections work; and partnership project grants for museums and community organisations working equitably with collections to achieve shared aims for inclusion. For partnership grants, the partnership should be in place before approaching the Museums Association for an initial conversation.

How to Apply

Expressions of interest are now open for June 2026 grants. The deadline for submission of the expression of interest form is 21 January 2026. Applicants can choose between an Expression of interest form – core funding or an Expression of interest form – partnership projects. In the case of partnership grants, applicants are encouraged to have this partnership in place before approaching the Museums Association for an initial conversation. Guidance for applicants 2025 and various toolkits (e.g., Working Equitably, Wellbeing Guidance) are available for download. For advice on eligibility for the fund and help to develop applications, please contact Sarah Briggs, grants manager (sarah@museumsassociation.org, 020 7566 7834) or Sally Colvin, programmes manager (sally@museumsassociation.org, 020 7566 7851). A call can also be scheduled.