Historic England has opened applications for its History in the Making Grants, offering support for projects led with underrepresented young people aged 13 to 25.

The programme is designed to help organisations work with young people to research, discover and share overlooked local histories, with an emphasis on strengthening belonging and connection to local identity through engagement with community stories and the historic environment. Projects are expected to take place out of school hours in areas of high social deprivation and be co-created, with young people involved in deciding what stories are highlighted and how they are presented.

Around 25 awards are expected to be made, with grants of between £10,000 and £15,000 available for projects delivered in England.

Applications are open to organisations of all types, including community interest groups, charities and local authorities. Individuals may apply if registered as sole traders. Applicants must be based in England and focus activity on young people in an eligible priority place. They also need to demonstrate experience of youth co-production outside a formal learning environment, have the capacity to deliver the work and hold an up-to-date safeguarding policy.

Supported activity may use creative approaches such as artworks, murals, immersive walking trails and theatre productions. Each project must produce a physical place marker in a publicly accessible space, which could include an installation such as a mural or sculpture, or a panel or plaque linked to additional content via QR codes.

The deadline for applications is 24 July 2026 (23:59).