£15m Fund Opens to Repair England’s At-Risk Heritage Buildings

There is up to £15 million on the table for historic buildings on the brink, and the window to put your hand up for a share of it closes in just over a week.

Applications have opened for a second round of the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, with up to £15 million available this year to help repair and rescue historic buildings across England that have fallen into disrepair.

The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest for this round is midnight on Sunday 14th June 2026.

What the money is for

The fund supports urgent repairs and conservation work to safeguard historic buildings across England and bring them back into sustainable use. It is targeted at areas in greatest need, particularly where heritage investment can deliver wider social and economic benefits for local communities.

Capital grants are available to support:

• Urgent repairs to eligible heritage assets at risk
• Conservation works to prevent further deterioration
• Project development work as part of a wider repair scheme
• Adaptations that support sustainable reuse and accessibility

The aim is to secure the long-term future of historic buildings while supporting regeneration, job creation, skills development and community use.

It is delivered by Historic England and funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. This year’s pot is part of a wider £75 million fund.

The scheme builds on a successful first year, which saw £15 million invested in projects across England.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants include local authorities, charities, Community Interest Companies, Heritage Development Trusts and other not-for-profit organisations with legal responsibility for the repair of an eligible building.

That means Cornwall organisations, including the local authority, charities and other not-for-profit groups, are among those eligible to put forward a project.

Applications begin with an Expression of Interest. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to submit a full application. Further rounds of funding will follow later in the year and in future years.

What Historic England said

Emma Squire and Claudia Kenyatta, Co-CEOs of Historic England, said: “With applications now open for a second round of funding through the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, we are encouraging organisations across England to come forward with projects that can help secure the future of some of our most valued buildings. Historic buildings connect people to their local history and identity, while providing spaces that support wellbeing, pride and social connection.

“Through the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, this investment will support places most in need, helping to repair and secure the future of some of our most valued heritage. By protecting these buildings and supporting their sustainable reuse, we can help communities unlock their potential for generations to come.”

Full details on how grants will be prioritised and how to apply are on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund webpage.