The Cultural Protection Fund is the UK’s main response to international cultural heritage protection. Its role is to safeguard cultural heritage at risk due to conflict and/or climate change and to contribute to sustainable social stability and economic prosperity.
It does not fund standalone academic research, but universities frequently participate as lead applicants or key partners contributing to practical conservation through applied research.
This round will support cultural heritage protection projects in the following countries:
- Bangladesh
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Yemen
To be competitive, projects must demonstrate potential impact across three key areas:
Heritage
Cultural heritage will be in better condition, more prepared and better understood.
Society
Societies will be stronger, more inclusive and more resilient as a result of the project.
Economy
Projects will lead to increased opportunities and benefit for people and places.
ELIGIBILITY
The Cultural Protection Fund welcomes applications from anywhere in the world, but all applicants must either be based in, or work with, a local partner in one of the target countries specified above.
VALUE AND DURATION
Organisations will be able to apply for grants up to £500,000 to deliver multi-year cultural heritage protection projects.
KEY DATES
Call for Expressions of Interest opens: w/c 22 June 2026
Online information sessions: Early July 2026
Deadline: TBC
In the meantime, find out more about the Cultural Protection Fund and subscribe to the CPF bulletin to find out when the next funding round is launched.