EMKP Legacy Digitisation Grant

The EMKP Legacy Digitisation Grant is a program administered by the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme (EMKP), hosted at the British Museum within the Department of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. The EMKP was launched in 2018 and is funded by a charitable foundation that supports the preservation of cultural heritage and open knowledge access. This grant program is designed to support the digitisation of “legacy” materials — collections and research records from previously concluded projects that documented endangered material knowledge systems. Such materials may include fieldnotes, photographs, negatives, film reels, videos, audio recordings, and related objects. The purpose of this grant is to preserve and make accessible collections that document endangered or formerly endangered material knowledge. The EMKP places emphasis on ensuring long‑term preservation of these materials, especially those stored in conditions that may risk deterioration or loss. The program also addresses ethical concerns around access, consent, and permissions, recognizing that many legacy materials may have been created under informal or undocumented consent processes. Grants are awarded for a maximum duration of one year and up to £20,000 (about US $26,680). Applications are accepted from individuals regardless of nationality, as well as from communities or institutions — including institutions of higher education or cultural organizations. Typically, applicants must be affiliated with a host institution that can provide financial and ethical oversight, though independent or community‑led applications may be considered. To apply, applicants must submit their proposals through the official EMKP application portal. Required components include a completed proposal form, supporting documentation such as an institutional ethics policy, a digital asset management plan, and a letter of support from the host institution. The application guidelines also stipulate that a grant agreement (including budget, digital management plan, and ethical review) must be signed between EMKP and the host institution before the project commences. For the 2025–2026 grant cycle, applications will open on 22 October 2025 and close at 12:00 GMT on 19 January 2026. Grantees must ensure that the grant agreement with the host institution is signed within six months of award. Selected projects will begin only after all documentation has been finalized. Applicants are strongly advised to engage their host institution early in the process to allow sufficient time for agreement finalization and compliance with EMKP’s terms. Contact and inquiries regarding the program should be directed to EMKP at emkp@britishmuseum.org or by phone.

Initiate host institution coordination early to ensure timely agreement finalization; consent documentation is critical due to legacy nature.