Apply for the transformation capital grant for museums, archives and libraries (2027 to 2028)

Museums, archives and libraries provide crucial services and support for communities across Wales. They are available as sources of knowledge, education, and enjoyment for those who visit. Modernisation of facilities to upgrade access, enable joint service working and renew the offer to users is vital for maintaining and improving the services provided. 

The Welsh Government acknowledges this and is supporting development through its capital funding programme.

The grant scheme will operate as a 2-stage process.

Stage 1

Following an open call to the sector inviting interested parties to apply, interested parties can develop and submit an Expression of Interest (EoI). Applicants are encouraged to provide a draft application to advisors ahead of submission.

Stage 2

Successful applicants will be asked to develop and submit a full application. Second stage applications must be consistent with the proposal outlined in the approved EoI.

Both stages will be competitive, and a successful EoI does not guarantee funding at stage 2.

Who can apply

Museums: local authority or independently run museums which are fully or provisionally accredited as part of the UK wide Museum Accreditation scheme or working towards accreditation. 

Archives: fully or provisionally accredited archive services, or services committed to 3achieving accreditation within an agreed timescale. Applications from partnerships delivering regional or all-Wales services are also eligible. 

Libraries: local authority public library services or trusts / not for profit companies delivering an authority-wide library service on behalf of the local authority, and community run libraries which are constituted under a regulatory framework (e.g. registered charity or community interest company.) Community run libraries include: 

• Community managed: these are community-led and largely community delivered, rarely with paid staff, but often with some form of ongoing council support and often still part of the public library network. 
• Community supported: these are council-led and funded, usually with paid professional staff, but given significant support by volunteers. 
• Independent community libraries: these are libraries where there has been a transfer of the building and resources to the community and entirely run by volunteers with minimal (or no) ongoing assistance from the local library service. They are not part of the statutory service. 

Organisations or services who submit an application, may apply for grants between £200,000 and £500,000 for up to 2 financial years.

Activity must start in the first year of that scheme cycle and at least 1 claim for a minimum of 10% of total project costs must be submitted in year 1. Award letters for successful applications are likely to be issued in May or June of 2027. We recommend that, due to the scheme cycle starting later than usual, you consider a 2-year application even for shorter projects.

The eligibility criteria have recently been updated. It is strongly recommended that you take the opportunity to discuss your application by emailing culture@gov.wales prior to submission. This will help you understand and provide what is required to create a robust application.

Apply by completing the expression of interest application form. 

Please ensure you read the guidance before completing the form and submitting your expression of interest.

Stage 1 applications must be emailed to culture@gov.wales by 12 October 2026.

There will be a series of workshop webinars for organisations who progress to stage 2, to provide advice and guidance to applicants.

• EoI application window formally opens: 1 September 2026
• EoI submission deadline: 12 October 2026
• Stage 1 decisions issued: 1 December 2026
• Webinars throughout December:
  • 8 December 2026
  • 15 December 2026
  • 17 December 2026
• Stage 2 applications submission deadline: 22 February 2027
• Stage 2 decisions issued: May or June 2027