Webinars Launch CTC Grants 2026 Applications

The British Council has opened applications for its flagship Connections Through Culture (CTC) Grants 2026, accompanied by a series of four informational webinars designed to help applicants prepare competitive proposals.

The program aims to strengthen creative collaborations, intercultural exchange and long-term partnerships between artists, cultural organisations and creative professionals from the UK, Bangladesh and 35 participating countries worldwide.

To support prospective applicants, the British Council will host four online sessions covering eligibility requirements, application procedures and proposal development strategies.

Stephen Forbes, Country Director of British Council Bangladesh, said cultural exchange has the power to create meaningful and positive change. He noted that Connections Through Culture Grants provide artists and creative professionals with opportunities to collaborate, innovate and build lasting partnerships between the cultural sectors of Bangladesh and the UK.

The programme provides seed funding to support collaborative projects and institutional partnerships across the creative industries.

Last year, the initiative funded 127 projects across 19 countries, including seven projects from Bangladesh.

Eligible applicants include artists, creative professionals, cultural workers, creative hubs, festivals, biennales and cultural organisations. Applications must involve at least one UK-based partner and one legally registered partner organisation from Bangladesh or another participating country.

General webinar sessions will be held on June 30, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm and again from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm Bangladesh time, with British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation available.

On July 1, a specialised session from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm will focus on visual arts, architecture, design, fashion, crafts, festivals and biennales. Another session from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm will explore digital arts, extended reality (XR), immersive experiences, gaming and related creative sectors.

Applicants involved in Bangladesh-UK collaborative initiatives may apply for grants of up to BDT 2.445 million. Supported activities include collaborative projects, residencies, research and development, exhibitions, performances, public engagement programmes and international cultural exchange initiatives.

Applicants are encouraged to review the 2026 application toolkit, sample application forms and FAQs available on the British Council website before applying.

The deadline for applications is August 13, 2026, at 4:59 am Bangladesh time.

//DBTech/MR/EK//