Applications for funding for individual artists now open
2nd July, 2025
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has opened a range of funding programmes to support the work of individual artists. The schemes are part of the Support for Individual Artists Programme (SIAP), which provides funding to support individual artists, working across all artforms, both at home and internationally, and at different stages in their career.
The Support for Individual Artists Programme (SIAP), offers the chance to apply for grants between £500 and £15,000. This programme is for artists who are ready to develop their practice. This fund offers opportunity for research, supports artists by providing time to create new work, to train, to develop fresh ideas, to receive mentoring and to travel.
While artists may apply to more than one scheme, only one grant will be awarded in any of the funding rounds. Separate application forms must be submitted for each scheme and the projects within each application must be significantly different.
For details of how to apply, eligibility and how much funding you can request under each scheme, check the individual guidance notes. Links are included below.
Open Now
Major Individual Awards (MIA)
Major Individual Artist Awards are intended to create the circumstances in which established artists with national / international recognition may develop extended or ambitious work. Proposals should result in a significant creative outcome. Costs can be for specific projects, specialised research, personal artistic development and materials/equipment. Four awards of up to £15,000 each are being offered in 2025/26.
Application deadline: Friday 11 July 2025 at 12PM.
For guidance notes and application visit https://artscouncil-ni.org/fun...
National Lottery Project Funding for Individuals (PFI)
The National Lottery Project Funding for Individuals scheme aims to support the wide range of activity that can be undertaken by artists of all disciplines in relation to their practice, and to enable innovation and experimentation. A “project” and its associated costs can be any activity that develops and supports an artist’s creative practice.
Applications deadline: Thursday 14 August, 2025, 12:00PM.
For guidance notes and application visit https://artscouncil-ni.org/fun...
WOMEX 2025 Delegate Bursaries
WOMEX World Music Expo will take place in in Tampere, Finland, from 22nd to 26th October 2025. This will be the eleventh occasion of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s attendance at WOMEX which has fast become the most important international professional market for world music of every kind including folk, roots, ethnic and traditional music. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland will offer a maximum of up to four bursary awards for WOMEX 2025 (subject to available budget). The award – £700 per delegate - is towards the costs of registration for the conference, return flights and a contribution towards accommodation and subsistence.
Application Deadline: Thursday 10 July, 2025, 12:00PM.
For guidance notes and application visit https://artscouncil-ni.org/fun...
Rosy James Memorial Trust Award
Rosemary (Rosy) James died in 2010, having bequeathed over £500,000 to establish an annual bursary in her name to help artists, designers and makers to pursue their careers by developing a new body of work. ‘The Rosy James Bursary’ will be administered by the Arts Council on behalf of the Rosy James Memorial Trust. The value of the annual award is up to £15,000. It aims to assist makers to investigate and develop a body of work which would otherwise be unaffordable.
Application Deadline: Friday 11 July, 2025, 12:00PM.
For guidance notes and application visit https://artscouncil-ni.org/fun...
Musical Instruments Programme – Musical Instruments for Individuals
The Arts Council has designed this programme to provide funding for highly-skilled, exceptional, high-profile performing musicians working only at a professional level who seek support for the purchase of high-quality instruments that are central to their performing career. This award is open to musicians working as a high-level performer in a solo capacity or as part of a small group / chamber ensemble in any musical genre. This scheme is aimed at providing instruments for rehearsal and performance.
Application Deadline: Mon 28 July, 2025, 12:00PM.
For guidance notes and application visit https://artscouncil-ni.org/fun...
Artists’ International Development Fund
The Artists’ International Development Fund (AIDF) is an annual programme jointly funded by the British Council and Arts Council of Northern Ireland and is open to both individual artists and organisations. The programme will support early-stage international development opportunities for individual, freelance and self-employed artists and organisations based in Northern Ireland. It will afford recipients the opportunity to spend time building links with artists, organisations, and/or creative producers in another country. The aim of the programme is to support individual international developmental opportunities for talent and artistic excellence from Northern Ireland and, thereby, enhance Northern Ireland’s international artistic development, reputation and standing. Artists and organisations can apply for small grants from £1,000 to £7,000.
Deadline for Applications: Thursday 14 August 2025. 12:00PM
For guidance notes and application visit https://artscouncil-ni.org/fun...
Accessible Funding
If you are d/Deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent, University of Atypical can provide support with completing your application. Due to the time needed to match you with the best advisor, it is likely that advice sessions will not start before Monday 14 July 2025. Please contact University of Atypical as soon as possible to ensure sufficient time for the support process. Phone: 028 90239450; Email: access@universityofatypical.org