Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Annual Funding Programme 2026/27 Open for applications
27th October, 2025
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has opened applications to its 2026/27 Annual Funding Programme. Applications must be made online and will close at 12noon on Monday 8 December 2025. To read the guidance notes and make an online application, please visit Annual Funding Programme 2026/27 | Arts Council NI
The Annual Funding Programme (AFP) supports Northern Ireland’s arts infrastructure through grants for core and programming costs to organisations in all artforms.
Those eligible to apply include:
• Non-profit distributing organisations which can demonstrate they require a year-round resource to deliver arts programming.
• Commercial organisations can only apply for support if the proposed programme is primarily for the benefit of the public and where there are plans to re-invest any surplus into a similar programme.
• New applicants to the Annual Funding Programme must have been in receipt of a single award of at least £10,001 from ACNI since 1 April 2023 in order to be eligible for the scheme and must contact the appropriate ACNI arts officer to discuss their application prior to submission and by 5pm on Monday 24 November 2025 at the latest. Failure to make prior contact with the Arts Council before submitting an application will render your application ineligible.
Online applications are now open and will close at 12noon on Monday 8 December 2025. To read the guidance notes and make an online application, please visit Annual Funding Programme 2026/27 | Arts Council NI
Applications may also be requested in large print or other accessible formats if required. Please contact artgrants@artscouncil-ni.org if you need further assistance in this regard, including alternative language versions. You can also contact that address if you have any queries about any aspect of the programme or its application requirements.