HSDS Catalogues and Grants

October is a significant month for the Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS)!

Catalogue Launches

On 1 October 2025, the Heritage Science Data Service launched two powerful platforms.  

The Data Catalogue provides sophisticated search capabilities for UK heritage science datasets, making resources and research data findable and accessible to users and easy to navigate. It  currently only features collections held by the Archaeology Data Service, however further collections will be added in future.

The Catalogue of Services provides an easy-to-use resource allowing users to discover and access RICHeS facilities that are essential to their research. With filters allowing resources to be categorised by Region, Organisation, Technique, and Asset Types, users will be able to quickly find and apply to use the best facility for their needs.

Small Grants Programme

The HSDS Small Grants Programme provides funding to unlock potential for innovation in heritage science and conservation research through two streams:

Stream 1: Enable or enhance access to heritage science and conservation resources 

This funding stream supports projects that seek to enable or enhance access to reference collections and/or data from heritage science and conservation research. Example proposals could include, but are not limited to:

  • Preparing existing important datasets for deposit with the HSDS, by adding documentation to aid re-use, creating metadata and/or cleaning data.
  • Bringing together disparate collections, such as uniting digital resources from different hosts or connecting physical and digital resources. 

Stream 2: Work with the Hartree software engineering and technical teams to develop tailored Virtual Research Environment applications and workflows

This funding stream provides an opportunity for successful applicants to develop an idea for a new virtual research environment. Example proposals could include, but are not limited to: 

  • Technical feasibility studies and design thinking workshops 
  • Proof of concept (software) application/tool/service builds 
  • Creation of data processing pipelines and automation workflows to reduce the overhead of tedious or computationally expensive tasks 
  • Customisation and extension of open-source tools to better address your specific use-case, and 
  • Applied AI/ML to integrate AI into your application workflow.

Applications will close on 28 November 2025. Click here for more information.

The NHSF website now has an HSDS hub page - click here to stay up-to-date with HSDS, including NHSF's User Needs project.