Connections Through Culture 2026: A Comprehensive Guide to the British Council’s Major Arts Grants Programme

The Connections Through Culture (CTC) Grants 2026 represent one of the British Council’s most significant global arts funding programmes for the year. Designed to strengthen artistic collaboration, cultural exchange, and long‑term partnerships between the United Kingdom and participating countries worldwide, this programme supports a wide range of creative practitioners and organisations working across diverse art forms.

The 2026 edition brings together several previous British Council grant schemes—including Biennials Connect (Visual Arts) and the Architecture, Design and Fashion Biennials and Festivals Grants—into one unified, expanded programme. This makes CTC 2026 a central funding opportunity for artists, cultural organisations, festivals, and creative collectives seeking to build meaningful international collaborations.

1. Overview of the Connections Through Culture Grants 2026

The CTC programme aims to:

• Support cross-cultural artistic exchange between the UK and selected countries.
• Enable long-term partnerships between creative professionals and institutions.
• Fund collaborative projects that explore shared themes, artistic innovation, and cultural dialogue.
• Strengthen the global creative economy through mutual learning and co-creation.

The programme encourages applications from a wide spectrum of creative fields, ensuring that both emerging and established practitioners can benefit.

2. Key Dates for the 2026 Grant Cycle

• Applications open: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
• Application deadline: Wednesday, 12 August 2026 at 23:59 BST
• Notification of decisions: From October 2026
• Online information sessions:
  • Tuesday, 30 June 2026
  • Wednesday, 1 July 2026
• Project delivery period: December 2026 – December 2027 Note: No grant-funded activity may begin before the grant agreement is signed.

These dates are essential for applicants planning their project timelines, partnership agreements, and proposal development.

3. Grant Amounts and Funding Structure

CTC 2026 offers grants ranging from £5,000 to £15,000, depending on the project scope and participating countries.

Funding can support:

• New artistic collaborations
• Cross-border research and development
• Co-created performances, exhibitions, or festivals
• Cultural exchange programmes
• Capacity-building initiatives
• Creative residencies
• Collaborative digital or hybrid projects

The programme is flexible, allowing applicants to propose innovative formats that strengthen cultural connections.

4. Who Can Apply?

The CTC grants are open to a broad range of creative and cultural actors, including:

• Individual artists and creative practitioners
• Cultural professionals
• Arts organisations
• Festivals and biennials
• Creative hubs and collectives
• Cultural institutions
• Interdisciplinary creative teams

Applicants must demonstrate a confirmed partnership between at least one UK-based partner and one partner from a participating country.

A Partnership Letter of Intent—signed by all partners—is required at the application stage.

5. Eligible Art Forms

The programme supports a wide range of artistic and cultural disciplines, including:

• Visual Arts
• Architecture, Design, and Fashion
• Theatre and Dance
• Music
• Film
• Literature
• Creative Economy
• Culture and Global Challenges
• Interdisciplinary and hybrid art forms

This broad eligibility ensures that diverse creative voices and practices can participate.

6. What the Grants Can Be Used For

CTC funding can support many aspects of collaborative project development and delivery, such as:

• Travel and mobility (where applicable)
• Artist fees and professional costs
• Production and presentation expenses
• Research and development
• Digital collaboration tools
• Workshops, residencies, and training
• Community engagement activities
• Documentation and evaluation
• Accessibility support

Projects must clearly demonstrate mutual benefit, shared learning, and cross-cultural collaboration.

7. Application Resources and Support

To help applicants prepare strong proposals, the British Council provides:

a. Applicant Guidance Toolkit

A detailed PDF guide outlining eligibility, assessment criteria, budgeting, and application tips.

b. Application Questions Preview

A downloadable document showing the questions applicants will encounter in the Good Grants portal.

c. Partnership Letter of Intent Template

A required document confirming collaboration between partners.

d. Online Information Sessions

Live sessions with Grants Managers and assessors offering insights into:

• Eligibility
• Assessment criteria
• What makes a strong application
• Common mistakes to avoid

e. Accessibility Support

Applicants requiring alternative formats or assistance can request support through the CTC Enquiry Form.

8. How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the Good Grants platform. Applicants should:

1. Review the Applicant Guidance Toolkit thoroughly.
2. Confirm eligibility and partnership requirements.
3. Prepare responses using the Application Questions Preview.
4. Complete the Partnership Letter of Intent.
5. Submit the full application before 12 August 2026 at 23:59 BST.

Late submissions are not accepted.

9. Additional Information

The British Council also provides:

• A full FAQ section addressing common questions.
• A showcase of past funded projects for inspiration.
• A dedicated CTC Enquiry Form for specific questions.

Apply here

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