The RICHeS Access Fund supports researchers and organisations to access RICHeS-funded equipment, collections, facilities and specialist expertise. This page guides you through the application journey, including information on the full application process, supporting guidance and the Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS) Catalogue of Services.
Application process overview
The application flow diagram below provides an overview of the RICHeS Access Fund application process. We strongly recommend downloading and reading the Supporting Guidance notes before starting your application. These notes contain essential information and practical advice to help you prepare a strong submission.
Once you have reviewed the supporting guidance, we also recommend exploring the Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS) Catalogue of Services. The catalogue allows you to identify RICHeS-funded services, facilities and collections that could support your project. You can search for services by specific techniques and methodologies, material type and by geographic region.
Once you have identified a suitable Service Provider(s), we encourage you to contact them via the HSDS Catalogue of Services to discuss and confirm the feasibility of your project. If the service is deemed suitable for your project, you can then proceed to the Full Application form to submit your application.
To support applicants, RICHeS hosted an online webinar on Wednesday 11 March 2026. This includes an overview of the RICHeS Access Fund and guidance on the application process and requirements. You can watch the recording here:
Supporting Guidance
View and download supporting guidance and documentation for your Full Application
HSDS Catalogue of Services
Explore the HSDS Catalogue of Services, a simple way to discover and access RICHeS research infrastructure
Expression of Interest Form (Closed)
EOI submissions are now closed. Start your Full Application to take the next step towards accessing heritage science infrastructure