Victory 80 Grants

Victory 80 – New Funding for Museums to Commemorate Victory in Europe and Victory in Japan Day.

Museum Development North has signed a funding agreement to award £100,000 in grants to regional museums to support the commemoration of the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe and Victory in Japan Day.

In 2025, the UK will mark the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory in Japan (VJ) Day, two pivotal moments that have shaped modern history. To support museums in commemorating these events, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has announced a special, one-off grant scheme: Victory 80 – Victory in Europe and Victory in Japan Commemoration Programme.  This is part of a programme to deliver a coordinated, country-wide programme with extensive grassroots community reach.

Working in 20 towns, cities and villages across the country, and with an emphasis on economically excluded communities outside of London, the programme of funding will enable creative and cultural activity from museums in response to VE/VJ day.

DCMS via Arts Council England has asked Museum Development North to administer a time limited, one off-grant to enable museums to undertake a programme of activity in remembrance of the 80th anniversary of VE/VJ Day.

Museum Development North has a total of £100,000 to invest into five or more museums through grants of £20-25k. Due to the short timeframe, we will work with museums that already have VE/VJ events planned and are looking to amplify, expand and /or sustain their programming.  Funding is not available to DCMS sponsored National Museums or National Portfolio Organisations.  Supported activities do not need to take place on VE or VJ day but must reflect the legacy of World War II.

This VE and VJ Day commemoration project is supported using public funding by UK Government through Arts Council England.

To find out more, please talk to your Museum Development Adviser.  Grant applications must be submitted by 23.59 on 4 May and projects should complete by 31 December 2025.

A short briefing session was recorded on 15 April 2025 – watch the briefing session here

Guidance

The full guidance can be found here.

A Word Document of the application form can be found here. Please note this is only for information and your application must be submitted online.