Friends of the Nations' Libraries Grants

Friends of the Nations’ Libraries Grants

Friends of the Nations’ Libraries Offers Grants for Rare Acquisitions

Friends of the Nations’ Libraries (FNL), a registered charity founded in 1931, offers grants to help eligible UK institutions acquire rare printed books, manuscripts, records and archives. It is particularly keen on supporting purchases of material that might otherwise leave the UK.

Grants can contribute towards acquisitions of historical, literary, artistic, architectural or musical interest, as well as fine bindings. Grants typically range from £200 to £20,000 and will rarely exceed £20,000.

Applications will be accepted from:

• The national libraries and the libraries of national museums
• Record offices and archives services
• University and specialist libraries
• Any museum, gallery or collecting institution to which the public has reasonable access and which, in the opinion of the Trustees, constitutes a proper repository for the proposed acquisition.

FNL can fast track applicants facing a potential purchase going to auction at short notice.

The next deadline for applications is 1 November 2026.