Connections Through Culture (CTC), is the British Council’s flagship Arts grants programme supporting cultural partnerships and collaboration between UK-based and international artists, creative practitioners, cultural professionals and organisations.  

For 2026, CTC provides one main grant offer for international cultural collaboration. This single offer also brings together activity that may previously have been supported through separate British Council Arts opportunities, including Visual Arts Biennials Connect and Architecture, Design, Fashion and Craft Biennials and Festivals. By bringing these opportunities together, applicants can apply through one open call, with a clearer and more streamlined application journey.

We have also expanded the number of participating countries across the globe to 35, creating more opportunities for UK and international partners to connect and collaborate. Through the 2026 round, CTC will award approximately £1.3 million in grants to support international cultural collaboration.  

The programme supports meaningful relationships, cross-cultural exchange and long-term collaboration between the UK and participating countries. Projects can span a broad range of themes and art forms, including Visual Arts, Architecture, Design, Fashion, Craft, Music, Literature, Theatre, Dance and Film. 

The programme is designed to support creative practitioners, cultural professionals, artists, organisations, festivals, biennials, hubs and collectives that meet the eligibility requirements and can demonstrate a meaningful partnership and collaboration between the UK and a participating country. 

Further information about the British Council’s work across arts and culture is available on the British Council Arts website.

Eligible countries

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

Grant limits and the number of awards vary between countries. Please refer to the table for maximum grant requests per applicant:

Grant amount  For projects between the UK and: 
Up to £15,000 Argentina*, Colombia*, Peru*, Arabia Saudita, Bangladesh, Pakistan
Up to £10,000 Mainland China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nigeria, Palestine, Philippines, Thailand, Tunisia, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine**, Uzbekistan, Venezuela*, Vietnam, Western Balkans (including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia). 
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, Tanzania.

* Climate change and sustainability focus.  

** Applicants must provide evidence of appropriate war related risk management, safeguarding plan and follow FCDO travel advice for any in-person activity involving individuals travelling from outside Ukraine. In Ukraine, individuals must be registered as a private entrepreneur, ФОП, to act as Lead Partner and receive grant funding. 

  • Applications open 17 June 2026 12:00 BST (UK time)
  • Applications close 12 August 2026 23:59 BST (UK time)
  • Notification of decision sent to applicants: from October 2026

Information sessions

There will be multiple sessions available: REGISTRATION LINKS TBC

  • 22nd June Monday 08:00 – 09:30 (BST):  UK, East Asia and South Asia focus 
  • 23rd June Tuesday 09:00 – 10:30 (BST):  UK, MENA/SSA/Wider Europe focus
  • 23rd June Tuesday 15:00 – 16:30 (BST):  UK and Americas led focus
  • 24th June Wednesday 10:30 – 12:00 (BST): Sector specific session for Visual Arts and Architecture, Design and Fashion
  • 24th June Wednesday 15:00 – 16:30 (BST): Sector specific session for Visual Arts and Architecture, Design and Fashion

Eligible individuals and organisations, including:

  • artists
  • creative practitioners
  • cultural professionals
  • festivals
  • biennials
  • hubs
  • networks
  • collectives

  1. Partnership requirement: Applications must include at least one UK-based partner and one partner from an eligible participating country.
  2. Themes and disciplines: The open call welcomes a broad range of artistic disciplines, cultural heritage projects and creative sectors.
  3. Budget currency: All budgets must be submitted in pounds sterling (GBP).
  4. Project delivery period: Projects must take place between October 2026 and October 2027.
  5. Final reporting: Final reports must be submitted within one month of project completion and no later than November 2027.
  6. Application language: Applications must be submitted in English.
  7. Application platform: Applications must be submitted through the Good Grants platform.

External links

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