Applications are now open for the British Council’s connections through culture grants 2025

The British Council is now accepting applications for its 2025 Connections Through Culture (CTC) grants.

These grants offer funding of up to £10,000 for artists and creative organisations collaborating between the UK and 19 partner countries, including Bangladesh, to bring powerful cultural projects to life. The application deadline is June 23, 2025, at 8:00 pm (Bangladesh time). Prospective applicants from Bangladesh are invited to visit the British Council Bangladesh website for further information on the application process. 

The Connections Through Culture grants offer up to £10,000 in funding for innovative, international arts and culture initiatives. These can be residencies, performances, policy labs, exhibitions, research and development, or any initiative that sparks dialogue, fosters mutual understanding, and promotes long-term international partnerships. 

Last year, the programme supported 84 collaborative projects, including 4 in Bangladesh. Applications for the 2025 grant cycle are now open.  This year, approximately 90 grants will be awarded worldwide to collaborative initiatives co-designed by creatives based in the UK and internationally in any one of the 19 participating countries: Australia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Mainland China, Georgia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Viet Nam. The deadline is June 23, 2025, at 8:00 pm in Bangladesh.

The grants encompass all disciplines, including architecture, design, fashion and craft, theatre, dance and circus, literature, film and creative technology, visual arts, music, and multidisciplinary initiatives, which may be digital, physical, or hybrid in format. The grant is open to initiatives that will start and end between October 2025 and October 31 2026.

Information on how to apply is available on the British Council Bangladesh's website."Connections Through Culture is more than a grant – it is a catalyst for creativity, collaboration, and change," said Jill Richens, Regional Arts Director, British Council South Asia. "We are proud to champion projects that celebrate artistic innovation and build bridges between cultures and communities." 

Stephen Forbes, Country Director, British Council Bangladesh, added, "Building on the resounding success of last year's inaugural Connections Through Culture Grant in Bangladesh, we eagerly invite artists and art practitioners to embrace this year's open call with renewed enthusiasm and positivity. This programme empowers artists and organisations to imagine new futures together. Through shared creativity and mutual respect, we see meaningful partnerships flourish across borders—and the impact is lasting."