Several changes have been made to the fund for the Preservation of Industrial and Scientific Material (Prism), which is now open for applications.

The fund, which switches to Arts Council England from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, supports the acquisition and/or conservation of science, industry or technology objects.

It covers England and Wales, and £150,000 is available for 2011-12, down from £250,000. 

The key changes are:
 
  • Applicants can apply for grants of between £500 and £12,000 (the upper limit was previously £20,000).
  • Organisations that have received Prism grants in the previous two financial years will not be given priority.
  • Up to 50% of in-kind contribution to a project can be provided in the form of volunteer labour.

The MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, a parallel fund to Prism, supports the acquisition of objects relating to the arts, literature and history. It has just released details of the 143 grants it awarded in 2010-11, which totalled £900,627.

Seventy-eight organisations received support, but demand outstripped available funds despite applications for more expensive purchases not being accepted in the second half of the year. The Purchase Grant Fund has been cut by £300,000 to £600,000 for 2011-12.

In other funding news, HM Revenue & Customs has updated its Gift Aid forms and its advice on donor benefits following the budget.

www.mla.gov.uk/what/support/grants/PRISM

www.vam.ac.uk/resources/purchase_grant

www.hmrc.gov.uk