Arts Council of Northern Ireland The National Lottery
Funding, Artists

Applications are open for travel awards for individual artists

15th May, 2026

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has opened applications for Travel Awards under the National Lottery Support for Individual Artists Programme.

Photo of a pair of sunglasses, a passport, and a half eaten biscuit, on top of a book on a cafe table outdoors. In the background is someone walking pass with a suitcase.

The Support for Individual Artists Programme Travel Awards scheme funds individual artists and established music groups (up to 2 members) to travel from Northern Ireland to develop their skills and expertise. The amount of travel costs you can apply for varies depending on the country you’re travelling to.

This is a rolling programme for 2026/27 with no deadlines, but you should apply:

  • a minimum of four weeks before the departure date,
  • a maximum of six months before the departure date,
  • and the return date of travel must be within 12 months of the date of your application.
  • The programme will close on Wednesday 31st Mar, 2027, 12 noon.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland welcomes applications from the widest possible range of individuals, representing all categories under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. We particularly welcome applications by disabled artists and by artists from the generally unionist community as applications from both these demographics are currently under-represented across our programmes aimed at individuals.

For details of how to apply for this National Lottery funded programme check the funding page and guidance notes here: National Lottery Travel Awards | Arts Council NI