Can I apply to Heritage Horizons as an individual?

Yes, however you must be registered as a sole trader. You can register on GOV.UK - Set up as a sole trader

Please note that you must be registered as a sole trader prior to your application, as you will be asked to provide your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) within the application form.

If you need support with the administrative side of this, the team will be on hand to provide advice throughout the application and commission delivery process.

Can Registered Charities apply?

Yes. Community Interest Companies, Limited Companies, Sole Traders and Registered Charities are all eligible to apply for Heritage Horizons commissions.

Please note that if you are a limited company, we expect the full commission request to be what is budgeted for and that no surplus remains within the company at the end of the commissioned period.

Can I apply in partnership with another individual/organisation?

Yes, as long as it is clear in the application who the lead applicant will be

Please note that, for insurance, legal and funding purposes, the lead applicant must be a Community Interest Company, Limited Company, Sole Trader or Registered Charity. Responsibility for the commission will reside with them.

Do I have to live or work in Bedfordshire to apply?

Not necessarily. You will be given multiple options and a text box to describe your connection to Bedfordshire. It is key that we are able to see a tangible link between you, your idea and Bedfordshire within the application, but this may take many forms.

How do I know if my idea fits under the umbrella of ‘heritage’?

We are defining heritage as ‘Anything from the past that you value and want to pass on and share with future generations’, and we are open to your interpretations of this.

If you are concerned about the eligibility of your idea, please book in for a 1-2-1 with us to talk it through.

If I am unsuccessful in applying for the first cohort, can I reapply for the second cohort?

Yes. If you are unsuccessful in your first application, we can support you to re-apply for the second cohort.

Please note that all unsuccessful applicants will be given clear feedback on their applications and offered support from the team to consider alternative opportunities/funding streams.

Will we know which local heritage organisation is on the assessment panel?

Yes. This will be communicated to you via the application form.

What is the purpose of the 1-2-1 phone consultation?

The purpose of this call is to provide you with a platform to further explain the ideas outlined in your application and an opportunity to ask any outstanding questions that you may have.

Please note that every applicant will be invited for a phone consultation and that it is a mandatory part of the application process.

Can I apply for more than one tier?

Yes, although we would ask you to carefully consider which tier would be most appropriate for your idea. We expect to see the ethos of the particular tier that you are applying for communicated within your application.

Can I apply multiple times for the same tier?

No. You can only submit one application per tier.

If unsuccessful, you may resubmit for the same tier when applications for the second cohort open in 2025.

How do you define ‘Protecting the Environment’ and ‘Inclusion, Access and Participation’?

As part of The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage 2033 Strategy, Inclusion Access and Participation and Protecting the Environment are identified as key investment principals. We are therefore using the funder’s definition, which can be found on the Heritage Fund website

Does it matter if I do not include exact dates in my timeline?

No, we are just looking for key milestones. An example timeline can be found within the application guidance.

We understand that circumstances may change during the commission, and new opportunities may present themselves that you will want to build on.

Does it matter if I do not include exact locations for where I would like my commission to take place?

Do try and be as clear as you can (including whether locations are confirmed/unconfirmed).

We understand that circumstances may change during the commission, and new opportunities may present themselves that you will want to build on.

If successful first time around, can I apply for more funding via the second cohort?

Yes, however, we may be more likely to support/signpost you to apply for alternative funding opportunities so that Heritage Horizons can support a broad range of people.

Is there anything that cannot be included in my commission budget?

Second-hand digital items, such as laptops/ipads, cannot be included in your budget. This is a stipulation of the funder.

Do I need to include time spent engaging with the university and at dissemination events in my budget or is this funded separately?

Time spent at mandatory away days and dissemination events are not funded separately and should be considered within your budget. In light of this, we have tried to limit expected engagement. You will be asked to attend a maximum of three away days within the commission delivery period dissemination events will be recommended throughout the lifetime of the project. These are intended to provide needs-led support and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. We will work with you/the cohort to agree these dates in advance so that you can work around wider commitments, etc.

You will also be asked to attend 30 minute check-ins with the project officer to see how we can best support your work.

Can I include my own time spent working on the commission in my budget?

Yes. We expect professional fees to make up a good portion of your budget, so please do be realistic about the amount required to pay yourself and collaborators fairly.

Can my commission be used as match funding?

In some cases Heritage Horizons commissions may be used as match funding, however this would need to be discussed with our funder, and will be on a case by case basis. You will still need to deliver your commission within the period you have set out, and the match should not impact your ability to deliver via Heritage Horizons.

If you think you would like to use Heritage Horizons funding as match, please book in for a 1-2-1 with us to discuss further.

Can I apply for funding from alternative sources to support my commission?

This will need to be considered on a case by case basis. In principle, yes, however, the deliverables outlined in your original Heritage Horizons project plan must be met and kept separate to other funded outputs.

If you think that you would like to use Heritage Horizons funding as match for other funding opportunities, please book in for a 1-2-1 with us to discuss further.

If successful, how will my commission be paid?

Your commission will be paid into the bank account of the lead applicant in two installments. The first will be paid upon completion of your contract, and the second will be paid once your final budget forecast has been submitted towards the end of the commission delivery period.

Will I have to come to Luton/Bedford for progress meetings/engagements?

Not necessarily. 1-2-1 check-ins will be organised according to your preference in terms of timing and location.

Will away days be hosted at the University or elsewhere?

The locations of away days are yet to be confirmed. It is unlikely that all three will be hosted at the University, but all will be within Bedfordshire.

We have allocated approximately £50 per practitioner/organisation to cover any additional travel costs that you may incur in attending these away days.

Can I send a substitute to progress meetings, away days, and dissemination events if I am unable to attend?

Yes, as long as the delegate in question is involved and has a good understanding of the commission. They should also feedback any key learnings/updates to the lead.

Will the University of Bedfordshire own the outputs produced as part of my commission?

No. You will own the IP and copyright to any outputs produced during your commission.

You will however have to adhere to Creative Commons licensing as a stipulation of the funder. Please refer to The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s guidance on this for more details: Working with open licences | The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Do I need to acknowledge the funder in my commission?

Yes. You will need to acknowledge The National Lottery Heritage Fund and abide by their brand guidelines as part of all project outputs produced; including for marketing and workshop materials.

An overview of acknowledgment requirements can be found here: Acknowledging your grant | The National Lottery Heritage Fund

We will be on hand throughout the commission to support you with this, and will discuss this further as part of commission initiation meetings.

What data will we be expected to collect to inform the evaluation of the commissions?

Evaluation report templates for each tier are available as part of the application guidance. Although the structure of these reports may change slightly, the data that you are expected to report will not change.

Please note that you will be expected to provide a mid-commission update in addition to an end of project report. This mid-commission report will be a light-touch version of the templates provided.

Will evaluation expectations vary according to the tier of funding granted?

Yes. Although the information requested in your mid and end of project reports are similar for each tier, the amount of detail requested will vary. This is to reflect the different objectives of each tier, as well as the difference in funding received.