AIM Museum Fundamentals Programme Accepting Applications for Second 2025 Funding Round

Association of Independent Museums (AIM), in partnership with the Julia Rausing Trust and the Pilgrim Trust, is offering grants of up to £20,000 for small-to-medium-sized museums with fewer than 50,000 visitors per annum across the UK to support core activities, enable them to care for collections more effectively and efficiently, and meet the standards required for Accreditation.

Eligible costs include:

• Collections documentation and research.
• Collections review.
• Development of new exhibitions or other access to collections.
• Purchase of new equipment and software.
• Small-scale building work to support collections care.
• Improvements to heating, lighting, and other building services.
• Staff time.
• Volunteer recruitment and expenses.

AIM member registered charities, groups with exempt charitable status, or recognised public bodies (Local Authority Museums) can apply. Applicants are encouraged to develop projects based on their collection needs, which improve knowledge, care, and access to heritage collections.

There is a two-stage application process. Groups must first submit an expression of interest before being invited to complete a full application. There are two funding rounds in 2025.

The deadline for applications is 8 August 2025. 

Further details can be found here: Museum Fundamentals – AIM – Association of Independent Museums