GEM Inclusive Pathways Funding 2025-26

Key Details

We are interested in supporting projects that are aimed at unlocking barriers to work experience, work placements and inclusive pathways, be it completely new work or developmental work of existing programmes. 

  • Eligibility: Applicants must be based in England, institutional members of GEM and also registered charities or local authorities.
  • Applications are welcome from organisations who are accredited museums.
  • Funding available: Grants of up to £5,000, payable in one instalment.
  • Project scope: Projects could be focused on providing work experience or work placement opportunities or inclusive pathways* for young people or early career museum professionals, and must involve a robust and clear evaluation of the project. You could apply as one organisation or as a hub of local organisations working together. Your project could offer work-based opportunities that are in person, digital or hybrid.
  • Successful projects will receive mentoring and support from Rachel Moss, work experience lead for GEM.

How to Apply

Please click on the application form link. Applications for the grant programme close on Monday 7 July at 6pm. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of July 2025 and receive their project funding during August 2025 to commence their projects during September 2025 (including research). Projects need to be completed by July 2026.

Grant recipients are required to:

  • Submit a short project report for publication on GEM platforms.
  • Provide high-quality images of their projects, with third party permissions secured for use.
  • Publicly acknowledge GEM and Arts Council England in social media, websites, or printed materials.

We suggest that if you are new to this area of work that you look at different examples of work-based projects in museums and heritage organisations – in the recent GEM Toolkit on Work experience, Work placements and Inclusive pathways and also the upcoming GEM Case Studies Publication on Career Pathways in Museums.

*What do we mean by work experience, work placements and inclusive pathways?

  • Work experience tends to be short-term, lasting between a few days and a few weeks;
  • Work placements usually range from a few months to a year;
  • Inclusive pathways break down the barriers to entering the Museums & Heritage sector.

In addition, there is work awareness which is finding out what types of job roles are on offer in museums and heritage organisations.

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