Business Archives Council Conference Panel Session 7 November 2013

Statistics: External Funding 47 forms received and analysed! The majority of people here have applied for external funding – 57% 81% of these people have been successful in getting at least some of the funding applied for

Which bodies are people applying to? Lots of different places! Some examples… HLF Economic and Social Research Council National Cataloguing Grants Programme Business Archives Council JISC Arts and Humanities Research Council Leverhulme Trust EU Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Private bursaries Rothschild Foundation Wellcome EPSRC Cymal

Why are people not applying for external funding? Ability to self-fund Not within business policy/wouldn’t give a good impression to do so Difficult to get funding for privately-owned collections Too much work to get funding/not enough time and resources

What makes a good funding application? Clarity, in terms of aims, objectives, benefits, timescales, costs, etc. Show achievable goals Demonstrate post-project self-sufficiency Meet relevant funding criteria Show benefits to stakeholders – internal and wider community Exciting and original project Work in partnership Show wider professional support Emphasise access/reaching new audiences

Why are funding applications turned down? Too much competition/applications not distinctive Funders’ priorities not covered Poorly drafted applications, e.g. mistakes, not enough detail, etc. Project provides limited benefits/too self-serving Application process too complex Over-ambitious goals The type of organisations applying e.g. businesses not eligible for some funding

Views on application process and ways it could be improved Can be very time-consuming, bureaucratic and complicated – but not for everyone! More feedback on failed applications would be useful Need clear instructions from funding bodies - being able to see examples of successful bids would help More discussion needed on how businesses can apply

The most important considerations in making the case for internal funding Support at the highest levels The aims and mission of the parent organisation Keeping to a tight budget Having clear goals and timescales Business language rather than ‘heritage’ Being on brand Proving it can make money Being brief and concise Support from colleagues It gives the organisation a reason to have a party!

Key questions for the panel What are the most common mistakes in submitting grant applications? What are the top 3 things you look for in an application? Should we make more modest bids? What are the ethical issues for profit-making businesses applying for external funding? What would the BAC do to lobby for better funding for business archives? Is there hope?!