Historic Environment Scotland provides a range of grants and funding schemes to organisations developing projects that will benefit Scotland’s historic environment.

Funding applications can focus on any aspect of Scotland's historic environment. For example, projects could involve:

• historic buildings
• ancient monuments and archaeology
• designed or cultural landscapes
• historic gardens
• heritage skills
• stories and traditions

Some examples of a typical project or activity are:

• repair and consolidation works
• archaeological excavations and research
• skills and training
• outreach work
• interpretation
• maintenance and management plans
• community-led regeneration of the historic environment

To apply, you'll need to submit an initial expression of interest. A grants manager will then respond. 

If your expression of interest is approved, you'll be invited to submit a full application with more detailed information about the project.

To be eligible, your project or activity will need to:  

• clearly relate to the historic environment
• demonstrate how it will contribute to Historic Environment Scotland’s Grant Priorities 
• offer good value for money, with an appropriate level of match funding

The project or activity should not have already started, unless discussed and agreed with the Historic Environment Scotland Grants Team.

It should also not already be funded by a City Heritage Trust or through any other Historic Environment funding programme.

Additional criteria may apply depending on the type of project or funding stream you are applying for.

Note that although all people and organisations can apply, the programme will prioritise not-for-profit organisations.

Private owners, businesses or commercial organisations will only receive support if they can demonstrate that the project's wider benefits for the public will significantly outweigh any private gain.

The level of grant awarded will be determined by a number of factors, including applicant type, project type, eligible costs, match funding and value for money. Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The amount a grant will typically cover for a repair project, based on applicant type, is: 

• charities and not-for profit organisations: up to 40% of your eligible costs
• private and commercial owners: up to 33% of your eligible costs
• local authorities: up to 25% of your eligible costs

You will need to cover the rest of the costs through other sources.

Funding is available for charities and not-for profit organisations, private and commercial owners, and local authorities with projects in Scotland.

The response time to your expression of interest will vary depending on the funding programme.

Visit the Historic Environment Scotland website for more information about the various funding programmes.