OUMP Associates Scheme

Museum community engagement grants 2026-27

Oxford University Museums Partnership is delighted to launch the second year of the grant scheme for museum-led community engagement projects. Proposals are welcomed from museums located in Oxfordshire that are within the accreditation scheme (Full Accreditation, Provisional Accreditation or Working Towards Accreditation). The grant pot is £50,000 and individual grants will be between £5,000-£15,000 for projects that seek to activate partnerships to deliver cultural engagement for one or more local underserved communities in 2026-2027.

 

STEP 1: Before applying, please read the OUMP Associates Scheme Criteria and Guidelines.

STEP 2: Watch the Meet The Funder briefing (details below).

STEP 3: Please complete an application form, available here: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/oxford/oump-associates-scheme-application-form-2026

 

The deadline for applications is 9.00 am on Monday 23rd February 2026.

Please note that application is via the online form only. The form has a 'Finish Later' option which means you can save and return to your form if you don't wish to complete it in one go. You may prefer to draft your responses offline and then paste them into the form. Click here to download the application form questions in a Word document.

 

Find out more

The recording of last year's Meet the Funder briefing session is available below. If you have any other queries not covered by the information provided, or you would like to schedule a call about the scheme, please email us.

 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/tEhLQZ2ovks?si=WIAwBhNrDqV4fK9-

 

A group of older people face the camera smiling, holding images of their younger selves.

Reminiscence Group © Banbury Museum & Gallery

 

Associates 2025-26

Associate: Museum of Oxford

Project Name: Collecting Community Stories Festival Tour

Grant awarded: £14,954

A collaboration with under-served Oxford community groups to identify objects and share stories that represent Oxford’s history as part of the Museum’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025.

 

Associate: Banbury Museum and Gallery

Project Name: The Memory Workshop: valuing people through friendship and cultural engagement

Grant awarded: £14,850

A programme for seniors to engage in the community, build friendships, and reduce risks from isolation, poor health and mobility.

 

Associate: Witney Museum

Project Name: Witney Unheard: Voiced through Time

Grant awarded: £13,080

Working with MyVision Oxfordshire, the project captures Witney’s heritage through sound walks, object descriptions, memory workshops to create accessible content for the museum’s 2026 gallery relaunch and deliver training for museum volunteers.

 

Associate: Bloxham Museum

Project Name: Bloxham Reminiscence

Grant awarded: £2,000

Reminiscence group sessions designed to enhance the well-being of older members of the community, promoting the sharing of memories, experiences and stories.

 

Associate: Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum

Project Name: Meet Me at the Soldiers Museum

Grant awarded: £7,000

A new weekly social inclusion and well-being programme aimed at the elderly and veterans, tackling ageism, and fostering inter-generational discussion.