Endangered Material Knowledge Programme: Large Documentation Grants

Endangered Material Knowledge Programme: Large Documentation Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The British Museum
Amount: Up to £100,000
Last Updated: October 29, 2025

Summary

The Endangered Material Knowledge Programme (EMKP) offers large documentation grants to support research on critically threatened material knowledge globally. These grants, up to £100,000 for two years, are aimed at mature projects focusing on documenting endangered knowledge systems related to material objects and practices. Applicants must partner with a Host Institution for oversight, ensuring ethical and financial accountability. The EMKP also aims to enhance access to these valuable resources through a digital repository.

Overview

Endangered Material Knowledge Programme The Endangered Material Knowledge Programme (EMKP) supports knowledge holders, practitioners, and scholars with grants to conduct new research on critically threatened material knowledge globally, especially in understudied areas and where local funding opportunities are limited. EMKP also helps to connect source communities with museum objects stewarded around the world, and provides access to their material knowledge in a digital repository dedicated to its preservation. Documentation Grants The EMKP offers small and large grants to document material knowledge systems that are under threat and in danger of disappearing. This includes knowledge systems associated with the making, use, repair, and re-purposing of material objects, spaces, architecture, performances, and environments. The EMKP Documentation Grants support the documentation of endangered material knowledge systems. Documentation methods can include but are not limited to, film, audio recordings, photographs, written notes, maps, 3D models, and drawings. Successful applicants will be required to submit digital copies of these records to be uploaded to the EMKP open-access repository, which is hosted by the British Museum. Applicants can apply for grants irrespective of nationality and academic background, however, they must apply with a Host Institution that can provide independent financial and ethical oversight for their project. There is no restriction on where the proposed work can be carried out, but priority will be given to projects in regions and countries where existing financial support for research is limited. Large Grants Large Grants can last up to two years with a maximum award of £100,000. Large Grants are suitable for mature projects where more intensive and diverse documentation is proposed. They are also suitable for projects that require a larger team, projects where multiple strands of work are happening simultaneously, and projects where more time is needed to complete the documentation (e.g. because of seasonal cycles of working).

Eligibility

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