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The PRISM Fund, which helps to support the acquisition and conservation of heritage objects from the fields of science, technology, industry and medicine, has now reopened for applications.

The fund has helped hundreds of non-national museums and preservation groups in England and Wales acquire or conserve thousands of objects of industrial or scientific importance. It was established in 1973 in response to the growing concern that technological change was resulting in the loss of much of Britain's industrial heritage.

Recent recipients of the fund include:

• The UCL Pathology Collection, who received a grant of almost £18K for the conservation of the Whittington Hospital Teaching Collection. The specimens that make up the Collection were gathered during post-mortem examinations, and are irreplaceable. Using PRISM funding, this important and previously undocumented collection of pathology samples, were conserved and re-housed, enabling the creation of physical and virtual teaching resources of macroscopic pathology specimens and matching slides. 

• CHAMP (Community Heritage Arts & Media Project) used a grant of £5,400 for the acquisition of a 1914 Elswick Hopper Motorcycle to be housed at Baysgarth House Museum. From the 1880’s until the late twentieth century Elswick Hopper of Barton upon Humber produced some of the most sought after cycles and motorcycles for distribution all over the world. This motorcycle represents the growth of a town through the local industry. It is rare to find an Elswick motorcycle which has survived in such excellent condition without major restoration work. 

Links and further information

The PRISM Fund can offer grants of up to £20,000, or 90% of the total project costs. Find out more.

Next week we will be announcing the successful applicants to our Renaissance strategic support fund and our Designation development fund. Details will be available on our website.

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