PRISM Fund

The Fund for the PReservation of Industrial and Scientific Material (PRISM Fund) supports the acquisition and/or conservation of any object or group of objects illustrating the history of any branch of science, industry or technology.

Until 31 March 2003, the Fund was administered on behalf of MLA by the Science Museum, but is now administerd directly by MLA. The Fund is allocated £250,000 per annum.

The PRISM Fund covers England and Wales. A parallel fund for the purchase of objects relating to the arts, literature and history is administered by the Victoria and Albert Museum on behalf of MLA. Corresponding schemes are administered in Scotland and Northern Ireland by the National Museums of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Museums Council respectively.

The PRISM Fund is currently open for applications. We aim to respond to applications within two months. Applications for the purchase of items at auction are encouraged. If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your organisation for PRISM funding or want advice on the application and awarding process, or if you would like to discuss a potential project or want advice on preparing an application please contact:

Paula Brikci
Designation and Fund Manager
0121 345 7342 paula.brikci@mla.gov.uk

Sarah Waldron
Designation and Fund Assistant
0121 345 7308 sarah.waldron@mla.gov.uk

Annual Reports

In 2008/09 the Fund awarded £231,021 to 34 different projects to aid in the acquisition and conservation of scientific and industrial heritage. Objects covered in this report include portraits of scientist Humphry Davy, a fossil Ichthyosaur and the Thames barge Thalatta.