Organizer Information
The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art (PMC) is a leading research and academic institution dedicated to the study of British art, architecture, and visual culture. Based in London, the Centre supports research, scholarship, publications, and educational activity that contribute to a deeper understanding of British art. Through its funding programmes, the PMC supports researchers, organisations, and projects that advance scholarship and broaden participation in the field.
Title & Description
Exhibition Publication Grants 2026
The Exhibition Publication Grants support organisations in producing publications connected to exhibitions or displays that contribute significant and insightful research on British art. The exhibition may be forthcoming or may already have taken place.
Funding can support the production of a manuscript, book, catalogue, or similar printed publication. Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed publication will contribute to the wider field of British art, visual culture, and/or architecture, and explain how the grant will enhance the final publication.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Art History
- British Art
- Art Research
- Architecture
- Visual Culture
- Exhibition Publications
- Academic Publishing
Eligibility
The opportunity is international and is open to organisations, institutions, and non-profit organisations. Internationally based organisations are eligible to apply, and collaborative applications involving two or more organisations are welcomed.
The subject of the related exhibition must meet the Paul Mellon Centre's funding criteria. Applicants must demonstrate the publication's contribution to the broader field of British art studies.
Practice-based research may also be eligible, subject to the Centre's guidance.
Individual artists cannot apply independently unless applying through an eligible organisation or institution.
Program Benefits & Awards
Successful applicants can receive a grant of up to £6,000 toward eligible publication expenses.
Permitted costs include:
- Image costs
- Publication and production costs
- Author or artist fees
- Designer costs
- Translation costs relating to original materials
- Other justified publication expenses, subject to approval
The grant should result in a completed manuscript, book, catalogue, or comparable printed publication. Successful recipients must provide a copy of the resulting publication to the Paul Mellon Centre for accession into its library.
Funding does not cover the full economic cost of a project. Overheads, indirect costs, and other operational expenses are ineligible.
Applications are assessed on factors including academic rigour, originality, long-term contribution to scholarship, timeliness, need, impact and inclusion, feasibility, value for money, and environmental considerations.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 14 September 2026
- References Due: 23 September 2026
- First Assessment Round: 24 September–19 October 2026
- Second Assessment Round: 23 October–23 November 2026
- Final Decisions: By 27 November 2026
Referees are contacted directly after the application is submitted, and applicants are responsible for ensuring that their referee submits the reference by the applicable deadline.
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
Only one Exhibition Publication Grant application per organisation per funding round is permitted. Funding cannot normally support new or revised editions of previously published works, translations of previously published works, or open-access publishing costs. Exceptions may apply where a publication contains substantial new research or analysis.
Successful applicants must comply with the PMC's terms and conditions and provide a copy of the completed publication to the Centre's library.
The Centre also provides accessibility support, including accessible application formats and potential additional funding for successful applicants who face extra costs because of access requirements.