The Association for Industrial Archaeology's Restoration Grants programme provides capital grants for industrial heritage archaeology restoration projects across the UK.
Since the association was founded, almost all aspects of industrial heritage have been covered by its grants, including:
o Agricultural portable steam engines such as the Empress of Britain and the road roller Stumbles;
o Mill engines and associated machinery also feature regularly in the list, including the 1802 Boulton & Watt engine at the Verdant Works in Dundee, the Leigh Spinners Mill engine and the line shafting at Bristol Underfall Yard.
o Mines and Mining equipment such as Big Pit Headgear, the roof of Hemingfield Colliery Winding Engine House, cranes and excavators such as the Bath Quarry crane, the Bucket Excavator at the National Mining Museum England, and the water-powered pump-rod system at Wheal Martyn China Clay Works, and
o Repairs to windmills such as Billingford, Old Buckenham and Danzey Green, watermills, and steam mills such as Beeleigh;
The Association provides two levels of capital grant funding:
1. Small Projects Grants up to £7,500 for projects with total costs of no more than £10,000, and
2. Major Projects Grants up to £20,000. Grants must form a significant portion of the total project costs (normally, at least 20% of the total project costs).
To be eligible for grant support, the heritage restoration project must:
o Be covered by a conservation policy and/or conservation statement, and
o Be managed sustainably managed, displayed and interpreted for the public and with full public access.
Grants can be used either for new projects or projects that have commenced but require additional funding. There is a time limit of 3 years from the date of the offer to the start of work for funded projects, with a completion date of up to 5 years.
Funding is not available for:
o For-profit or private organisations.
o Individuals.
o Projects that will result in another body reducing their funding, or
o Revenue funding.
The Trust operates an annual application deadline of 31st March each year. The next deadline for applications is therefore Sunday 31st March 2024.
There are separate application processes for Small Project Grants (up to £7,500) and Major Project Grants (up to £20,000).
The application arrangements can be found by clicking on Download Criteria and How to Apply for a Restoration Grant on the Association’s website.
