Endangered Material Knowledge Programme: Small Documentation Grants

Endangered Material Knowledge Programme: Small Documentation Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The British Museum
Amount: Up to £20,000
Last Updated: October 29, 2025

Summary

The Endangered Material Knowledge Programme offers small documentation grants to support research on critically threatened material knowledge. These grants aim to preserve knowledge systems related to the making and use of material objects, particularly in areas lacking local funding. Eligible projects can receive up to £20,000 and may utilize various documentation methods including film and photographs. The program emphasizes collaboration with host institutions for ethical oversight and aims to connect communities with their cultural heritage.

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. Small Grants Small Grants can last up to one year with a maximum award of £20,000. Small Grants are intended for projects that are focused on a specific/individual material practice, and which are limited in scope. They are also suitable for initial pilot work to establish the nature and extent of material knowledge systems where these might not be previously known, or for early career applicants who are building new projects.

Eligibility

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