Castle Studies Trust

Castle Studies Trust

Castle Studies Trust Accepting Applications for 2026 Funding Round

The Castle Studies Trust is offering grants of up to £15,000 to support the production of new and discrete pieces of research that enhance the understanding and knowledge of castles. Grants will focus on new work on castles, such as architectural and geophysical surveys, radiocarbon dating, or projects that enhance the general public’s understanding of castles.

Proposed projects should have a specific, achievable result that will help advance the field of castle studies. Types of work that can be funded include, but are not limited to:

• Site-based survey work (eg, geophysical, architectural, topographical, LiDAR).
• Excavations.
• Scientific tests on objects/materials from a castle site (eg, radiocarbon dating).
• Review of historical sources (only as part of a Castle Studies Trust funded project).
• Pieces of work, such as reconstruction drawings, which would help the public understanding of a castle site.

The fund will cover costs specific to carrying out research and site work. Funding can be used to co-fund large-scale projects.

The Trust’s focus for projects is on sites not managed by major heritage bodies, but applications for sites managed by such organisations, especially free-to-access ones, may be considered, subject to meeting strict criteria available from the chair of trustees.

The deadline for applications is 1 December 2026.