The Renaissance strategic support fund is the final programme strand of Renaissance to be developed. It aims to address the priorities set out in Culture, knowledge and understanding: great museums and libraries for everyone and complements our Major partner museum and Museum development investment.

It focuses on any gaps (geographical or otherwise) or development opportunities across the sector recognising that excellence and the potential for excellence can be found in museums of all sizes.

In 2012-13, there is approximately £7 million available through the Strategic support fund and £15 million a year in 2013-14 and 2014-15. We expect to see awards of approximately £50,000 to £500,000.

Funding rounds

Round one

94 projects were commissioned for the 2012/13 grants. Activity for these projects largely finishes in March 2013.

Round two

For second stage of the Strategic support fund we have announced the 87 projects awarded a share of £17.8 million for activity starting in April 2013. Funds have been awarded to a wide range of projects across the country.

Download a list of projects awarded Round two funding.

These awards are for projects commencing in April 2013, and for activity up to 31 March 2014. We have also supported 30 awards for activity across the two years 2013/14 and 2014/15.

Round three

The third and final round of the Strategic support fund will open in autumn 2013, for activity commencing in April 2014. In this round, we are anticipating ambitious projects that build on innovation, resilience and sustainability in the museums sector.

Further information

The fund will cover areas of work set out in our information document and will support innovation, develop resilience and sustainability, and encourage collaboration within the museums sector in England

Read our Strategic support fund information document.

Find out more about the other strands of Renaissance.

Find out more about how we support museums.