The Ulster Local History Trust is currently not in a position to provide grants but will resume this facility for the local history community as soon as possible. - 23/11/2008

The trustees seek to aid local historical studies in Ulster through financial aid, and by advice and encouragement. While the extension of existing good practice is a primary aim, particular attention will also be paid to innovation in demonstrating the value of local history to our many shared and overlapping communities. Great interest will be taken in projects which encourage understanding of historical processes as well as simply chronicling local events.

The trustees are primarily concerned to assist work in the voluntary sector, and to make small scale grants which will enable worthwhile experiment or provide crucial help to raise a project to viability. Editorial assistance or other advice may be given. Support will be directed to specific projects rather than to general appeals. The Trust will not support recurrent organisational costs, or administrative costs such as such as telephone bills, travel, salaries, or the purchase of computers. Retrospective grants, for projects completed or books already published, will not be given. Grants of more than £3,000 are considered exceptional.

Applicants will be required to supply full costing for projects submitted, and in considering financial assistance the trustees will take account of funding which is, or may be, available from other sources. They may appoint expert assessors to advise on individual projects. Grantees are required to enter into formal agreement with the trustees and projects will be monitored in order to evaluate their effectiveness in fulfilling the objectives of the Trust. In assessing projects the trustees will also take account of other relevant agencies and will seek coordination and cooperation rather than competition. They cannot give assistance to projects which serve only divisive or party political purposes.

• The Trust's available money for applications for financial assistance is now temporarily exhausted.  Grant giving has therefore been suspended, pending review in October 2008.

• A conference for local historical societies and other interested organisations and individuals is being planned for November 2008.  Check back for details.