The British Council’s Connections Through Culture (CTC) Grants support artistic collaboration between the UK and select countries in the Asia-Pacific and Europe. The grants support collaborative projects between artists, creative practitioners and arts organisations, fostering cross-cultural exchange and lasting relationships. 

In 2024, the programme awarded over £741,000 across 11 countries in the Asia Pacific region, supporting 84 collaborations. The projects explored a wide range of themes, including diversity and inclusion and climate action, and supported collaborations such as Deaf-led music events, international theatre productions, digital art residencies, and creative workshops. 

For 2025 we’re excited to expand the programme to include new countries, providing more opportunities for a broader range of international partners.

Connections Through Culture in China is supported by the Scottish Government Office in China.

Apply for a Grant 

Applications for the latest round of grants are now open. We expect to award approximately 90 grants of up to £5000 or £10,000 to support new collaborative projects. 

Please read all the information for applicants and download the application toolkit below before applying.

Information for applicants

Key Dates

  • Applications open: 28 April 2025
  • Application deadline: 23 June 2025 (22:00 China Standard Time)
  • Information sessions:

1. Tuesday 6 May 3pm (CST)
2. Wednesday 7 May (4pm CST)
3. Wednesday 14 May (5pm CST)
4. Thursday 15 May (4pm CST)

  • Notification of decision sent to applicants: Mid-August 2025
  • Project start: From October 2025

What can the grant be used for?

The grants support the development of new creative projects leading to collaborative activities that promote the exchange of skills, knowledge, and practice. Various approaches can be taken such as art residencies, exhibitions, performances, showcases, publications, webinars, and conferences, among others. Projects can be digital, face to face or a hybrid of both.

Who Can Apply?

Each application must comprise of at least one UK partner and one international partner from the countries/regions listed below.

Eligible countries

Australia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Mainland China, Indonesia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand,  Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam.

Applying as an individual 

For the UK, eligible individuals are those living and working in the UK; for participating countries, individuals need to be residents of that country. 

We would expect individuals to have the necessary registration/s needed to comply with legal and/or tax provisions in the country in which they are based e.g. this could be a sole trader or an individual operating as a company with the associated registrations.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Whilst we accept applications covering all artforms and outcomes, applications that respond to the CTC 2025 priority themes of diversity and inclusion and climate change may be prioritised during final decision-making.
  • We welcome applications from both new and returning partners, and we're particularly keen to hear from those we have not previously worked with.
  • Collaboration is central to the programme, and partners should work together to co-create, co-deliver, or co-explore innovative artistic and cultural projects.

Download the application toolkit below for the full eligibility criteria.

Eligible art forms

  • Architecture
  • Design & fashion
  • Creative technology (incl. games, extended reality, immersive, mixed, augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence)
  • Film
  • Literature
  • Music
  • Theatre and dance
  • Visual arts

We also welcome proposals for: 

  • Cross-art form projects 
  • Projects with themes relevant to the creative economy (policy, research and advocacy, as well as capacity building for creative professionals and policymakers)
  • Cross-disciplinary art projects (e.g., art + science, art + technology)

Grant Amounts

Grant amount

For projects between the UK and:

Up to £10,000

Mainland China

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. You will need to create a free account to complete your application.

Apply now

An application must be submitted by one Lead Applicant. The form has collaboration enabled so you will be able to invite your project partner to collaborate on the form.

Key Application Steps:

  • For detailed application guidance download our application toolkit and FAQs below
  • Attend an Information Session (optional)
  • Complete the online application before the deadline: 23 June 2025 (22.00 CST)

If you have any access needs in order to complete the application, please contact us. 

Information sessions

Learn more about the programme and how to apply in one of our webinars. 

Register here

Schedules:  

  • Tuesday 6 May 3pm (CST)
  • Wednesday 7 May (4pm CST)
  • Wednesday 14 May (5pm CST)
  • Thursday 15 May (4pm CST)

Contact us

You may also follow us on social media:

Sina Weibo: 艺述英国

WeChat subscription: 艺述英国

See also

External links

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