Open call: Connections Through Culture 2026 grants

The programme offers grants ranging from £5 000 to £15 000 (about $17 200) to support collaborative projects involving artists, cultural organisations, festivals, creative practitioners, networks and collectives.

According to the organisers, the grants are intended to encourage cross-cultural exchange, long-term partnerships and collaborative creative projects across a range of artistic disciplines.

The 2026 programme incorporates funding streams previously offered through the Biennials Connect (Visual Arts) and Architecture, Design and Fashion Biennials and Festivals Grants programmes. It also serves as the British Council’s primary arts funding programme for 2026, replacing the International Collaboration Grants scheme.

Key dates

• Applications open: 17 June 2026
• Application deadline: 12 August 2026 at 23:59 BST
• Notification of results: From October 2026
• Project delivery period: December 2026 to December 2027
• Online information sessions: 30 June and 1 July 2026

Applicants are advised that funded activities may only begin after a grant agreement has been signed.

Eligibility requirements

• Applications must involve collaboration between at least one UK-based partner and at least one partner based in an eligible participating country.
• All partners must be legally established in their respective countries at the time of application and throughout the duration of the project.

Participating countries

Eligible countries include:

• Kenya
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Egypt
• Nigeria
• Albania
• Argentina
• Australia
• Bangladesh
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Colombia
• Mainland China
• Indonesia
• Kazakhstan
• Kosovo
• Lebanon
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• Montenegro
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Pakistan
• Palestine
• Peru
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• Serbia
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• Ukraine
• Uzbekistan
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• United Kingdom

Grant amounts

Maximum funding available varies by country:

• Up to £15,000: Argentina, Bangladesh, Colombia, Pakistan, Peru and Saudi Arabia
• Up to £10,000: Mainland China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nigeria, Palestine, Philippines, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam and Western Balkans countries
• Up to £9,000: Egypt
• Up to £8,000: Mexico
• Up to £7,500: Kenya
• Up to £6,500: South Africa
• Up to £5,000: Australia, New Zealand and Tanzania

The grant covers the entire partnership project and must include costs incurred by both the UK-based partner and the collaborating organisation or practitioner in the participating country.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Artists and creative practitioners
• Arts and cultural organisations
• Festivals and biennials
• Cultural professionals
• Creative hubs, networks and collectives
• Organisations operating across the arts and creative sectors

For projects involving visual arts, architecture, design, fashion or craft festivals and biennials, applications must be submitted by the festival or biennial organisation rather than individual practitioners.

Eligible art forms

Projects may be developed across a wide range of disciplines, including:

• Music
• Architecture, design, fashion and craft
• Creative technology, digital arts, XR and immersive work
• Film
• Literature
• Theatre and dance
• Visual arts

Eligible activities

Funding may be used to support:

• Collaborative artistic development and co-creation
• Residencies and exchange programmes
• Research and development projects
• Workshops, talks, panels and knowledge-sharing initiatives
• Exhibitions, performances and showcases
• Festival and biennial activities
• Digital innovation projects
• Public engagement programmes
• Artist and practitioner development
• Capacity-building initiatives
• Interdisciplinary and cross-artform collaborations

Further information, including application guidance and eligibility criteria, is available through the programme’s application toolkit and frequently asked questions resources.

Apply here before 12 August.

View the original call here.

Disclaimer: Opportunities published on this platform are provided by external organisers. While we aim to share accurate and current calls, Music In Africa is not responsible for the organisation, management or delivery of any related events or programmes.