Cork City Council Opens Heritage and Biodiversity Grants for 2026

Community groups and local heritage organisations across Cork City are invited to apply for two grant schemes supporting projects that protect, enhance and promote the city's heritage and biodiversity.

Cork City Council has announced that applications are now open for both the Local Heritage and Biodiversity Community Grant Scheme and the Local Heritage and Biodiversity Publication Grant Scheme. The deadline for applications is 11am on 6 February 2026.

The Community Grant Scheme offers funding of between €200 and €1,000 for local groups and individuals involved in ongoing heritage and biodiversity work. Previous recipients have used funding for archaeological lecture series, natural heritage training, local history exhibitions, and community events including the Coal Quay Festival and the Mother Jones Festival. One recent project even produced a podcast exploring the bridges of Cork.

The Publication Grant Scheme supports high-quality publications on local heritage topics, with grants ranging from €1,000 to €4,000. A total of up to €12,000 is available through this scheme. Since 2015, the fund has supported 14 books covering diverse subjects including St Joseph's Cemetery, Cork women's contributions during the revolutionary years, the history of Cork's LGBT community, and the story of the city's Fire Service.

Recent projects funded through the 2025 Community Heritage Grant include an information panel on the Spring Lane Traveller Heritage Project, developed in partnership with the Cork Traveller Women's Network, and a commissioned artwork at University College Cork representing the fossils and geological heritage of Cork city.

Both grant schemes form part of the Cork City Heritage Plan 2021–2026.

Application forms are available to download from Cork City Council's website or by contacting claire_ring@corkcity.ie.