Apply for Conservation Grants

Historic Structures Fund

Applications are now being accepted for the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2026.

The Conservation Section of Dublin City Council will administer the HSF for 2026 on behalf of the National Built Heritage Service/Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage within the Dublin City Council area. The primary focus of the HSF is to assist the conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings for the broader benefit of communities and the public through investing essential capital in our valuable built heritage and helping the owners and custodians of historic structures to safeguard them into the future.

For 2026, the HSF will offer grants from €50,000 up to €200,000 for larger scale conservation works, and will focus on enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where:

1. A clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated, or
2. A clear residential benefit has been demonstrated (such projects must be advanced through the planning process as necessary)

The Historic Structures Fund provides capital funding for works to qualifying structures which include the following:

1. Protected Structures: Structures in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS);
2. Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved for inclusion. Such structures must meet the criteria for inclusion in the RPS, i.e. must be of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view;
3. Structures or works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply

Owners of qualifying structures seeking funding for smaller scale works, or where there is no community or public benefit, are advised to apply for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS). Applicants are welcome to contact the Conservation Section in advance of making an application if they have a query regarding eligibility. 

Eligible projects will be as follows:

1. projects proposed by local authorities on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of historic structures
2. projects proposed by a Local Authority for works to historic structures in public ownership, where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated

N.B. – Only one application to the HSF will be considered per historic structure

To download the documents, please click the links below:

Historic Structures Fund 2026 Circular

HSF 2026 Guidance Booklet for Applicants

HSF 2026 Appendix I – Form A (Application Form)

HSF 2026 Appendix V - Qualifying and Non-Qualifying Works 

HSF 2026 Appendix VI - Guidance Note for HSF Method Statements

Please ensure all elements of the Application Form are fully and correctly completed and a Method Statement has been provided. Please note the Method Statement requirements set out in the Guidance Note including the ten-page limit.

The Irish language versions of the HSF 2026 application form and guidance documents are available on gov.ie (gov.ie - Ciste na Struchtúr Stairiúil)

Applications can be made online (encouraged) HSF 2026 Online Application, by email or post to the Conservation Section of Dublin City Council. The deadline for submission of completed applications is close of business, FRIDAY 16TH JANUARY 2026. Late applications and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted.  

Email: [email protected]

Postal Address: Conservation Section, Planning, Property & Economic Development Department, Dublin City Council, Block 3, Floor 3, Civic Offices, Dublin 8

Each application will receive an acknowledgement email. If you do not receive one, please contact [email protected]

Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2026

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is now closed for applications for 2026. Please email [email protected] should you wish to be informed on future grants

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan have announced the opening of applications for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme(BHIS) for 2026. The Conservation Section of Dublin City Council will administer this scheme on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government of the Housing for the Dublin City Council Area only. 

• Grants available for buildings that are either on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS), Proposed Protected Structures or buildings within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs).
• Grants of between €2,500 and €50,000 for the conservation and protection of historic buildings.
• Supports essential repairs and smaller capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of heritage structures and the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons.
• Up to €30,000 available for non-protected Vernacular Buildings.
• Up to €20,000 available under dedicated stream for owners of thatched buildings.
• Funding for works of routine maintenance and minor repairs up to €2,500

The Historic Structures Fund (HSF) will be advertised later this year. An application under the BHIS does not preclude a later application under the HSF, but only one grant can be availed of per structure.

To download the documents, please click the links below:

BHIS 2026 Guidance Booklet for Applicants

BHIS 2026 Qualifying and Non Qualifying Works

BHIS 2026 Application Form A 

BHIS 2026 Guidance Circular for Local Authorities

BHIS Historic Thatched Buildings Stream 2026 Guidance Circular for Local Authorities 

BHIS Historic Thatched Buildings Stream 2026 Appendix 1 Application Form 

The Irish language versions of the BHIS 2026 Circular and Application Form are available here: https://www.gov.ie/ga/seirbhis/sceim-infheistiochta-don-oidhreacht-thogtha-siot/  

Please ensure all elements of Application Form A are fully and correctly completed and a Method Statement has been provided. 

Applications can be made online (encouraged) BHIS 2026 Online Application,by email or post to the Conservation Section of Dublin City Council. The deadline for submission of completed applications is 4PM ON FRIDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2025. Late applications and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

Email: [email protected]

Postal Address: Conservation Section, Planning, Property & Economic Development Department, Dublin City Council, Block 3, Floor 3, Civic Offices, Dublin 8