The National Heritage Protection Commissions Programme (NHPCP) funds projects that support the National Heritage Protection Plan (NHPP), which was launched in May 2011 and sets out how English Heritage will prioritise and deliver heritage protection for the next four years (2011-2015).
If you are already familiar with the process of applying to NHPCP you can go straight to the pages on the latest calls for proposals or current invitations to tender.
What Types Of Project Are Eligible For Funding?
The National Heritage Protection Commissions Programme covers all aspects of the Historic Environment including our marine and built heritage. It provides funding for the following types of projects:
- assessing and responding to strategic threats affecting the Historic Environment, for example threats to heritage assets from urban development or heritage crime,
- surveying and identifying historic areas and landscapes,
- assessing the significance and character of the Historic Environment,
- developing responses to threats facing the Historic Environment.
Emergency Funding
NHPC will also consider emergency funding to investigate unforeseen nationally significant heritage assets that are revealed during the planning process.
In exceptional cases we will also consider funding nationally significant assets at risk outside the planning process.
Our Funding Priorities
English Heritage can only fund projects which directly address our main strategic priorities.
At this time these priorities are outlined in two management documents; the National Heritage Protection Plan and SHAPE, the Strategic Framework for Historic Environment Activities and Programmes in English Heritage.
All projects must contribute to an NHPP measure or, if they do not have a direct protection outcome, a SHAPE sub-programme.
A full list of projects previously funded by English Heritage NHPC can be found at SHAPE Online.
Who Can Apply?
All organisations, ranging from local authorities and universities to charitable trusts and limited companies, are eligible for funding through the National Heritage Protection Commissions Programme. Individuals are also eligible provided they can demonstrate that they are registered as self-employed.
When To Apply?
There are three ways to apply for funding through NHPC.
- NHPC issues invitations to tender with new projects being added hroughout the year, so please check regularly.
- NHPC issues calls for proposals with new proposals being added throughout the year, so please check regularly.
- NHPC also supports an open programme, which means that applications can be submitted at any time. In this case applications should be discussed with the relevant NHPP Activity Lead prior to submitting a proposal. Please see the current list of Activity Leads and their contact details on the right hand side of this page.
Our ability to fund projects will depend upon the resource available. We may defer or reject applications due to limited resources.
Please see the NHPCT contact list in related documents on the right hand side of this page for details of the appropriate Project Officer to contact.
How To Apply?
The National Heritage Protection Commissions Programme is managed by the National Heritage Protection Commissions Team at English Heritage.
For a summary of application procedures please see 'How to Apply' in related documents on the right hand side of this page.
Please note that all regional or local projects should be discussed with the appropriate English Heritage Local Office before you submit a proposal to the National Heritage Protection Commissions Team.
For more detailed guidance please see our full 'Guidance for Applicants' in related documents.
Information For Applicants
- Project Management: All projects must be compliant with Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MoRPHE)
- Project Signposting: All survey and investigation projects must be registered through OASIS or its successor(s).
- Project Archive: Almost all projects create an archive. Proof must be supplied that suitable long-term storage arrangements have been made for the archive with an appropriate repository such as a Museum, Record Centre or digital archive.
