The British Council has announced it has launched the 2026 cycle of its flagship Connections Through Culture (CTC) grants program.
The initiative is designed to seed-fund bilateral creative collaborations, cross-cultural exchanges, and long-term institutional partnerships between creative practitioners in the United Kingdom and 35 participating countries worldwide, including Australia.
In a significant expansion for 2026, the program will expand to include two legacy British Council scheme: Biennials Connect (Visual Arts) grants and the Architecture, Design and Fashion Biennials and Festivals Grants.
This consolidation forms a single, streamlined funding platform supporting artistic expressions ranging from visual arts and music to literature, performance, architecture, design, and film.
“At the heart of the British Council’s mission is the transformative power of cultural exchange,” said Helen Salmon, Director of British Council Australia. “The Connections Through Culture grants program builds meaningful, long-term partnerships between our two countries by enabling creative practitioners to engage directly in co-creation.”
Applications for the 2026 cycle are open to creative practitioners, cultural professionals, artists, creative hubs, festivals, biennials, and organisations. To be eligible, projects must demonstrate a meaningful collaboration involving at least one UK-based collaborator and one partner legally established in a participating nation.
Focus on Asia Pacific creative sector:
To assist regional applicants in navigating the application criteria and developing highly competitive applications, the British Council will host a series of information sessions led by our in-country Arts Managers.
- Asia Pacific Regional Session: Monday 29 June 2026 | 08:00 – 09:30 (BST)
Countries included: Australia, Bangladesh, Mainland China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, UK, and Vietnam. - Global Visual Arts, Architecture, Design and Fashion Session: Wednesday 1 July 2026
All participating territories.
Registrations for the Information Sessions are on the British Council website.
Funding and Eligibility:
Projects must involve at least one UK-based partner and one partner from an eligible country. Funding amounts vary by location:
- Up to £15,000: Bangladesh, Pakistan
- Up to £10,000: Mainland China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam.
- Up to £5,000: Australia, New Zealand
Eligible activities include co-creation, residencies, research and development, collaborative exhibitions, and public programs.
Applications for Connections Through Culture close on Wednesday 12 August 2026 (23:59 BST). For more information and to make an application, visit: www.britishcouncil.org.au for details.
Image: 2025 Grant Recipient TextaQueen – photo by Pia Johnson