Opportunities for the UK creative industries
A rolling list of funding, training and development opportunities for organisations, businesses and people in the UK creative industries.
DCMS Create Growth Programme competition four. Micro, small and medium enterprises in the creative sector in selected English regions can apply for funding for innovation projects to grow their business. There are two strands: small projects with costs of between £20,000 and £50,000 and large projects of £50,000 - £200,000 (which requires match funding). Apply by 29 May.
Rebrand Reuse competition. Designers are invited to create a new symbol for ‘reuse’, which would be used around the world to identify reusable packaging and infrastructure. Submit by 31 May.
Collect Open 2026. The Crafts Council is offering three bursaries to support UK-based makers from global majority backgrounds who are in financial need. Apply by 22 June.
QEST and Heritage Crafts Sustainability Award. Craftspeople across the UK who have taken significant steps to reduce their environmental impact and improve the sustainability of their craft practices can apply for a chance to win a £1,000 prize. Apply by 1 July.
EIT Culture & Creativity: Spark - Incubation Programme 2025. Business support for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage innovators in the architecture and cultural heritage sectors. Apply by 11 July.
EIT Culture & Creativity Acceleration and Post-Acceleration programmes 2025. Business support for promising start-ups and scale-ups in fashion, architecture, cultural heritage, audio-visual media, and gaming. Apply by 11 July.
Business By Design. British footwear and accessories brand Kurt Geiger is offering a seven-month training programme across all business functions for 18-20-year-olds living in London. Apply by 18 July.
Beyond Borders. Funding of up to £15,000 is available for projects that stimulate and strengthen cross-border collaborations between music creators, performers and presenters in the UK and Ireland. Apply by 28 July.
UK Co-Lab Policy Network Awards. Funding for four new cross-sector cultural policy networks - one in each of the three devolved nations and one in a devolved region of England - to create new capacity for cross-sector collaborative exchange of policy ideas on culture and devolution. Apply by 19 September 25.
Creative Scotland Open Fund for Individuals. Funding to support a wide range of creative activity initiated by artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland. Apply by 8 October.
Rolling applications
The Content Fund. The UK Games Fund is accepting expressions of interest from UK games studios which would like to apply for grants of £50,000 to £150,000 to develop commercial games with an entertainment focus. Funded until 31 March 2026, but may close early if demand is high.
Vale Startup Accelerator. Bespoke mentoring, digital skills training and investor access for early-stage founders in the Vale of Glamorgan from local MP and tech investor Kanishka Narayan.
Break the Wall. The Creative Mentor Network is offering a paid training programme for mid to senior level professionals who want to develop their inclusive leadership, managing and coaching skills while supporting young talent from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to thrive.
Creative Enterprise Business Builder. Grants of up to £2,500 to enable companies in England (outside of London) who work in moving image for storytelling (including film, television, games, animation and immersive) to hire a consultant to help grow their business.