Cork City Council Opens its 2026 Local Heritage and Biodiversity Grants Schemes
16/01/2026
Two Cork City Council grants aimed at supporting local heritage and biodiversity are now open for applications. The grants acknowledge and support the tremendous work that is carried out by local heritage groups and organisations across the city to protect, enhance and promote heritage and biodiversity.
The Local Heritage and Biodiversity Community Grant Scheme is aimed at providing core funding in the form of small grants for local, community-based heritage groups and individuals who are involved in ongoing work that benefits the heritage and biodiversity of Cork City. Funding of between €200 and €1,000 is available per grant. Previous projects funded include a winter series of archaeological lectures, training on natural heritage, exhibitions on local history, podcasts on the bridges of Cork and events such as the Coal Quay Festival and the Mother Jones Festival.
The Local Heritage and Biodiversity Publication Grant Scheme is aimed at supporting the publication and printing of high-quality publications on local heritage topics, which raise awareness and appreciation of local heritage and biodiversity. Funding of between €1,000 and €4,000 is available per publication grant. A total of up to €12,000 will be available for this grant scheme. 14 books have been supported through this grant since 2015 and include publications on topics such as St Josephs Cemetery, The contribution of Cork women during the revolutionary years, the history of the LGBT community in Cork and the history of the Fire Service in Cork to name a few.
The Closing Date for receipt of application forms for this grant scheme is 11am on 6th of February 2026.
ENDS
For an application form please contact: claire_ring@corkcity.ie
Application forms can also be downloaded here https://www.corkcity.ie/en/council-services/services/arts-culture-heritage/heritage/heritage-grants/
These grant schemes are an action from the Cork City Heritage Plan 2021-2026.
Captions:
The 2025 Community Heritage Grant Scheme funded an information panel on Spring Lane Traveller Heritage Project in conjunction with the Cork Traveller Women’s Network.
Through the 2025 scheme, University College Cork commissioned an artwork representing the fossils of Cork city and its rich geological heritage.