Microgrants
The microgrants programme, funded by Arts Council England, awards grants of £1-5k to support small-scale projects or the early stages of larger initiatives, such as community engagement or consultation. With a straightforward application process and light-touch reporting, the aim is to build capacity and confidence within the sector to apply for larger sums of investment, from Arts Council England and other funders. The programme is open to public libraries in England, including prison and school libraries that are run by public library services.
Application process
Libraries will be invited to submit applications quarterly from 30 July 2024 to 31 March 2025.
Application rounds will commence on the following dates:
- 30 July 2024
- 1 October 2024
- 6 January 2025
Completed applications should be submitted through the grant-making software.
Each library service may submit one application per quarter. If more than one application is received, only the first one received will be considered.
Public library services and prison and school library services run by public library services within England are eligible to apply.
Microgrants launch webinar
How to Apply
To apply for funding, access the Funding Portal.
Funding
Just over £70k will be available each quarter. You may bid for between £1-5k.
The Microgrants Project Board has agreed to a two week application period for Round 3, which will be open from 6 to 17 January 2024.
This adjustment allows us to provide a clear and structured timeline for applicants.
Additional funding from other sources may be included in your proposal. Details should be provided in the proposal.
Grant distribution
Funding will be transferred within 30 days of acceptance of satisfactory claim forms. Terms and conditions of the grants will be outlined in the claim form.
Review panel
Proposals will be presented to a review panel for funding to be released for delivery of the proposed service.
The Review Panel will be chaired by a Libraries Connected Trustee and attended by an Arts Council England representative, as well as members selected from a pool of library representatives. Library representatives will be asked to declare any conflicts of interest when reviewing applications.
The Review Panel will review the proposals from library services. Review Panel members may provide ideas and feedback to enhance the proposals based on their knowledge and experience.
Libraries Connected will be available to provide support to library services.
The review panel will be assessing proposals on their ability to demonstrate:
- Evidence of the need
- That the proposed activity meets the need
- Alignment with one or more Universal Library Offer
- Impact of the project on library users, staff, and the broader community
- A consideration of legacy and sustainability, e.g. leading to a larger initiative, scalable national initiatives or continuing with alternative funding.
The Review Panel meetings will be held quarterly following the submission deadlines.
Evaluation
The grant awardee must comply with the Microgrants Project evaluation (this will include completing surveys and gathering data on audience demographics) in accordance with the timescales. A copy of the Microgrants Evaluation Plan is available on request.
The completed Microgrants Evaluation should be submitted with any of the following supporting documents:
- Images of project and outcomes, including events and before and after photos please (e.g. from the same location to show the improvements), if applicable. These should be in high resolution, .jpg format and they will be supplied in the expectation that appropriate consents will be used to promote or report on the project.
- Screenshots demonstrating examples of digital outputs, e.g. social media.
Who can apply for a grant through the Microgrants project?
Public, school library services and prison libraries (delivered by the public library service) within England are eligible to apply.
How much can I apply for?
Libraries can bid for between £1-5k. Each service can apply once per round.
How many funding rounds are there?
There are three funding rounds. The application rounds will commence on the following dates:
• 30 July 2024
• 1 October 2024
• 6 January 2025
Can the grant money be spent on capital?
Yes, the grant money can be spent on capital.
Can the Microgrants support business as usual?
No, the Microgrants are intended to fund new initiatives or the preliminary stages of larger initiatives, not ongoing operational expenses.
Are Arts Council-funded National Portfolio Organisations eligible to apply?
Yes, National Portfolio Organisations are eligible to apply. The proposal must cover activity that is separate from the NPO bid.
Can additional funding from other sources be included in the proposal?
Yes, additional funding from other sources can be included. Details should be provided in the proposal.
How will the funding be distributed?
Funding will be transferred within 30 days of acceptance of satisfactory claim forms. Terms and conditions will be outlined in the claim form.
Who will review the proposals?
A Review Panel will evaluate the proposals. The panel will be chaired by a Libraries Connected Trustee and include an Arts Council England representative as well as selected library representatives. Panel members must declare any conflicts of interest when reviewing applications.
When will I find out if I have been successful?
You will find out if you have been successful after the Review Panel meetings, which will be held on:
- 17 October 2024
- 29 January 2025
- 29 April 2025
Can Libraries Connected provide support for proposals?
Yes, Libraries Connected can provide support. The Project Manager, Tessa Blades, is available to assist library services with their proposals.
Contact: Tessa.Blades@librariesconnected.org.uk
How long should a project be expected to last?
Initiatives are expected to be completed in six months but we would allow you to state a timeframe as long as the evaluation can be completed by six months after the last funding round (25 October). This will be the final chance to provide evaluation input.
Can there be a charge to attend events or activities delivered as part of the project?
It is generally advisable not to charge for project-funded activities as it could discourage potential attendees. The funding guidelines do not explicitly address this, so the grantee has the discretion to decide. It is important to assess the potential impact of introducing a fee, so we would ask grantees to document the decision and its effects on the project in the evaluation to guide future decisions.
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