The published ceiling on grants from the second round of Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) awards is an “expectation rather than a fixed requirement”, according to a DCMS spokesperson.
The department had said that, on the advice of the Cabinet Office, they were accepting grant applications for up to only 25% of turnover, and no more than half of any award received through the first CRF round.
The Museums Association and other sector organisations raised concerns that the limits ceiling on the amount applicants can request in the current round be unfair to some of those in need of support.
DCMS is now saying it could be flexible about the amount organisations in England can apply for in this final funding round, which closes on 26th January.
“Applicants can ask for it if they can set out a case (including on seasonality of income)”, but Arts Council England – which will be assessing the applications – will be “scrutinising these cases closely”, the spokesperson confirmed.
This round of grants can be used to cover spending from April to June 2021 – beyond the March deadline set for the first funding round.