RICHeS Access Fund opens 14th September 2026

The AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council)’s RICHeS fund aims to address two key lacks. Firstly, a lack of advanced analysis technologies in the heritage sector, and secondly, the financial means to access said technologies.

Labs like D-MACH have been set up by the RICHeS fund to act as equipment hubs with the target demographic being the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) sector. RICHeS now continues its mission widen access with the next call for applications for the access fund. The fund opens on 14th September and runs until 15th December. Project are to commence in April 2027.

Who is the Access Fund for and what can it do?

Applications are welcomed from individuals and organisations across the GLAM sector. In addition, the grant an support individual researchers such as PhD students, academic and educational organisations, charities and commercial collaborators with the GLAM sector.

Successful projects from the previous funding bid included studies of animal bones; oil paint analysis; costal landscapes; maritime archaeology; artifacts preserved in peatlands; development of digital workflows; Roman and Angelo-Saxon period archaeology; early food cultivation; and heritage textiles. (For an overview of the projects funded last time, see here).

Up to £20,000 is available to support project costs including the access to lab resources that the project would otherwise be unable to fund. (The RICHeS access fund website has a lot more information).

In the last Access fund call, 43 organisations across the UK were awarded over £500,000. That’s an average award of ~£11,600.

At D-MACH, £11,600 or less could provide any of the following:

• ten days of 3D X-ray (X-ray CT) data acquisition of small samples
• onsite laser and photogrammetry scanning of the interior of a historic space plus post-processing
• multi-modal analysis of artifacts using a range of techniques including hyperspectral imaging, laser RAMAN, and X-ray fluorescence as well as 3D surface scanning
• producing replicas of artifacts using 3D printing for tactile public engagement and widening access to collections
• technique training and knowledge exchange for heritage professionals

How D-MACH can help you now

D-MACH offers initial access to our equipment as free at the point of use. The lab’s own funding from RICHeS absorbs the cost of small pilot projects to help shape ideas for funding bids, like the RICHeS Access Fund. This means you can test a unproven research idea with minimal risk. Additionally, a successful pilot project will greatly strengthen a funding bid by demonstrating potential outputs and likelihood of success.

So, if you have an idea for a project, whether you’re looking to apply for the RICHeS Access Grant or another funding pot, get in touch via our email on the contact us page or by filling out an enquiry form.

Helpful resouces

Sign up for the RICHeS access fund webinar on Wednesday 21st October 2026 13:00 to 14:00

See past funded projects in much more detail here

Learn more about RICHeS

More about D-MACH and our mission