2025 British Council Biennials Connect Grants

🌍 About the British Council Biennials Connect Grants

The British Council Biennials Connect Grants support visual artists' participation in UK and international festivals and biennials. These grants aim to facilitate opportunities for:

• Travel
• Production of new work
• Networking
• Skills building
• Showcasing through biennial partners

📅 Key Dates

• Applications Open: 23 June 2025
• Application Deadline: 14 September 2025, 23:59 (BST)
• Information Session (Option 1): 9 July 2025, 9:00–10:00 (BST)
• Information Session (Option 2): 9 July 2025, 15:00–16:00 (BST)
• Notification of Decisions: Autumn 2025
• Project Start Date: February 2026
• Project End Date: February 2027

💰 Benefits of the Grants

Grant Amounts

• Up to £9,500 for:

  • UK biennials/festivals collaborating with visual artists based in ODA* countries.
  • International biennials/festivals based in ODA* countries collaborating with visual artists in the UK.

• Up to £5,000 for:

  • UK biennials/festivals collaborating with visual artists based in non-ODA* countries.
  • International biennials/festivals based in non-ODA* countries collaborating with visual artists in the UK.

• Additional £2,500 for project access costs, such as:

  • Sign language interpreters
  • Captioners
  • Personal assistants for disabled artists or producers

Notes:

• *ODA refers to Official Development Assistance, which supports aid and development in eligible countries.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply?

• Eligible Applicants:
  • UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) and international biennials, festivals, and art organizations.
  • Visual arts organizations collaborating with a biennial or festival.
• Ineligible Applicants:
  • Individual artists.

Requirements for Organizations:

• Must be based in the UK or an eligible international country.
• Must primarily focus on visual arts (multi-arts festivals must demonstrate a strong visual arts component).
• Must support artists over the age of 18 who can travel internationally with valid passports.
• Must align with the British Council’s commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
• Must ensure fair compensation for artists.

Project Timeline:

• Core activity must occur between February 2026 and February 2027.
• Final reports and evaluations must be submitted before the end of February 2027.

Priority Projects:

• Foster collaboration between UK-based and international artists, curators, and organizations.
• Involve visual artists in the early or mid-stages of their careers.
• Engage with organizations and artists based in ODA recipient countries.

🌟 Eligible Countries

ODA Recipient Countries:

• Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru
• East Asia: Mainland China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand
• Middle East and North Africa: Egypt, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Algeria, Morocco
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
• Wider Europe: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

Non-ODA Countries:

• East Asia: Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea
• European Union: France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain
• Middle East and North Africa: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman

📝 Application Process

Key Steps:

1. Submit Online Application:
   • Applications must be submitted via the British Council Arts Grant Platform.
   • Create a free account to complete your application.
2. Collaboration Enabled:
   • Invite project partners to collaborate on the application form.
3. Optional Information Sessions:
   • Attend one of the information sessions on 9 July 2025.
4. Download Resources:
   • Access the Application Toolkit for detailed guidance.
5. Submit Before Deadline:
   • Complete the application by 14 September 2025, 23:59 (BST).

Additional Notes:

• Offline application forms are available for reference but all applications must be submitted online.
• For access needs, contact the British Council at visual.arts@britishcouncil.org.

📂 Downloads

• Biennials Connect Application Toolkit
• Biennials Connect Budget Guidance
• Biennials Connect Evaluation Framework
• Audience Data Collection Form
• Safeguarding Resource Pack
• Biennials Connect Offline Form

📧 Contact Information

For further inquiries or assistance, please email: visual.arts@britishcouncil.org

⏳ Application Deadline

14 September 2025, 23:59 (BST)

Start your application today to be part of this exciting opportunity!

• Up to £9,500 available for UK biennials/festivals collaborating with visual artists based in ODA countries.
• Up to £5,000 available for UK biennials/festivals collaborating with visual artists based in non-ODA countries.
• Additional £2,500 for project access costs to remove barriers for d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent people.