Bursaries for Early Career Professionals

We at the Museums Computer Group are incredibly grateful to the Art Fund for providing bursaries to this year’s conference. Through the bursaries, the Art Fund will support up to 10 Early Career Professionals (ECPs) to attend and participate in the conference. Both the MCG and Art Fund are passionate about supporting those who are new to the sector to connect, network and learn together.

If you are an ECP working or volunteering in the UK within the museums and heritage sector and you would like to apply for this bursary opportunity, please fill out our short form. We will assess the applications as they come in and we will aim to give you a decision on your application a month before the conference. You can find the eligibility criteria towards the bottom of this page.

Application deadline: 5pm, Friday 9 October.

To apply: Complete our short form.

About Art Fund

Art Fund is the national charity for museums and galleries. For over 120 years, it has helped institutions across the UK to develop and share their collections, invest in people and expertise, grow their audiences and inspire the next generation.

Art Fund connects museums and people with great art and culture through funding, advocacy and initiatives, because access to art is vital for a healthy society. It champions the sector through the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year award – the world’s largest museum prize – and supports museum professionals through dedicated training and grant programmes.

Independent and people-powered, Art Fund is supported by 148,000 members who buy a National Art Pass, as well as generous contributions from individuals, trusts and foundations. The National Art Pass offers free or discounted entry and other benefits at over 1,000 museums, galleries and historic places in the UK, 50% off major exhibitions, a subscription to Art Quarterly magazine and Art In Your Inbox newsletter. Visit Art Fund’s website for more information.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet at least one of the following:

1. Time in Sector

Up to 5 years of professional experience in:

  • Museums, galleries, archives, libraries, or heritage organisations
  • Or adjacent digital/cultural sectors (e.g. creative tech, digital humanities, cultural engagement)

Includes full-time, part-time, freelance, contract, and volunteer roles where relevant responsibilities were undertaken.

2. Paid roles

Currently in entry-level or junior roles, such as:

  • ‘Assistant’, ‘Officer’, ‘Coordinator’, ‘Technician’ or equivalent

Or in the first substantive role following study, training, or career transition

3. Education, Training or Voluntary roles

Students, recent graduates (within 2 years), or individuals completing:

  • Museum studies, digital humanities, IT, or related degrees
  • Apprenticeships, internships, traineeships, volunteer roles or returnships relevant to the sector

4. Career Changers / Returners

People who:

  • Have recently moved into the museum or heritage sector from another field
  • Are re-entering the workforce after a significant break for any reason

Provided they are still in an early development stage within the sector.

Additional Considerations (MCG Context)

Given MCG’s focus on digital, technology, and innovation in museums, ECPs may also include:

  • Those new to digital roles within museums, even if they have prior non-digital museum experience
  • Those beginning to apply technology, data, or digital practice in cultural contexts

Non-qualifying

Applicants are unlikely to qualify as ECPs if they:

  • Are under the age of 18
  • Have more than 5 years of sustained mid-level or senior experience in the sector
  • Hold senior, strategic, or leadership roles (e.g. Head of, Director, Lead with significant team/budget responsibility)
  • Are well-established practitioners with recognised expertise in museum technology or digital leadership.

However, to support fairness and inclusion we at the MCG recognise that career pathways are not linear. Applicants who feel they are still in an early stage of professional development, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds or with non-traditional career paths, may be considered on a case-by-case basis.