National Gallery Trust
Could National Gallery Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- From £10,000
- Where they fund
- UK (partner venue and National Gallery; international tour), UK (outside London)
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Invitation only
- Decisions
- Quarterly
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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nationalgallery.org.ukAbout National Gallery Trust
The National Gallery Trust supports the charitable objectives of the National Gallery, custodian of the national collection of Western European paintings. Its mission centres on preserving the collection, widening public access, and deepening engagement through education, exhibitions and research. The Trust funds arts and heritage projects that bring the collection to audiences across the UK. It runs a long-term partnership programme that lends paintings to accredited museums outside London, with a strong emphasis on working with organisations that have not previously borrowed from the Gallery. It also supports artist fellowships hosted at partner venues, combining research, exhibition-making and public programmes. Beneficiaries include the general public, local communities and artists. The Trust prioritises strategic partnerships that align with the Gallery’s goals and reach new audiences.
What National Gallery Trust funds
The Trust funds arts and heritage projects that bring the National Gallery collection to audiences across the UK. Its main partnership programme lends paintings to accredited museums outside London, supporting exhibition delivery and public events. It also supports artist fellowships hosted at partner venues, covering research, exhibition-making and public programmes. The work takes place across the UK, with a particular focus on regions outside London, and may include international touring elements for fellowships. The Trust is especially interested in partners who have not previously borrowed from the Gallery, and who engage a local community organisation to support the exhibition or public programme each year.
Who can apply
The Trust welcomes applications from registered charities and community groups, but its main partnership scheme is open to accredited or provisionally accredited public museums in the UK, based outside London. It does not fund individuals, schools, or organisations based in London under this scheme. The Trust prioritises partners who have not previously borrowed from the National Gallery, and who can demonstrate a commitment to engaging local communities. For fellowships, it seeks accredited public museums that can host an artist and support their research and exhibition-making.
What National Gallery Trust doesn't fund
The Trust does not fund individuals, schools, or organisations based in London under its main partnership scheme. It also does not support unaccredited organisations or private collections. Applicants must meet the required standard conditions of loan, security and environmental conditions to be eligible.
How they like to fund
The Trust works through long-term, multi-year partnerships. Its main programme selects four partners to work together with the National Gallery for three years, with the Gallery providing a financial contribution to each partner per year. Fellowships are awarded over two years, combining research, exhibition-making and public programmes. The Trust welcomes unsolicited applications and does not require match funding.
How much does National Gallery Trust give?
National Gallery Trust runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 37 sourced facts
- Online application form
- Multi-year funding
- Online application form
- Multi-year funding
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What National Gallery Trust funds — and what they won't
We are particularly interested in working with partners who have not previously nor recently borrowed from the National Gallery. Partners will engage a local community organisation to support the exhibition or public programme each year.
The full exclusions list (1)
- Must meet required standard conditions of loan, security and environmental conditions.
Good to know
How to apply to National Gallery Trust
National Gallery Trust takes applications via invitation only.
- Published programme route: online application form.
- Decisions are typically quarterly.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What National Gallery Trust's application asks
We hold the 10 questions from National Gallery Trust's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“Please summarise why your museum is applying for the National Gallery Fellowship and what you hope to achieve through your involvement in the programme”
Max 150 words
“Please tell us about the importance and potential impact that being a National Gallery Fellowship museum partner could have on your collection, organisation, programme and audiences”
Max 600 words
8 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if National Gallery Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does National Gallery Trust provide?
National Gallery Trust runs 2 grant programmes — National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2025-2027: £10,000 – £10,000.
Where does National Gallery Trust fund charities?
National Gallery Trust funds charities operating in UK (partner venue and National Gallery; international tour), UK (outside London).
Does National Gallery Trust accept unsolicited applications?
National Gallery Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does National Gallery Trust not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Must meet required standard conditions of loan, security and environmental conditions.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from National Gallery Trust?
National Gallery Trust takes applications via invitation only. Published programme route: online application form.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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Could National Gallery Trust be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.