NXT:now supports the development of ambitious artistic projects and programmes that explore the challenges shaping the lives of young people (18–30) today.
With this grant programme, the British Council would like to foster diverse artistic views on the cultures being shaped by and influencing this generation.
The programme invites project and programme proposals from organisations in the UK and Germany that together explore, reimagine or transform this generation’s relationship with the digital realm or that respond to the impact that local and global instabilities have on young adults. The programme encourages projects that tap into the creative and transformative power of youth culture.
NXT:now asks how this generation can gain resilience by exploring new forms of creativity, community, agency and care in an increasingly digital and unstable world. Funding of up to £20,000 per partnership is available.
Online information sessions
We offer two (identical) online information sessions for you to ask your questions about the programme.
Please submit your application by 10 January 2027, 11:59 pm CET.
Decisions announced: 15 February 2027
NXT:now leads into the British Council’s upcoming UK-Germany Season of Arts and Culture, planned for 2029.
The British Council’s programme of International Seasons of Culture celebrates and deepens the UK’s relationship with partner countries, enabling new international collaborations and providing a platform for UK culture.
The UK-Germany Season will engage thematically with how creativity and innovation amongst young people foster their resilience.
Who can apply?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be an organisation registered in Germany or in the UK
- Work bilaterally on this project with a partner: German applicants with a UK partner and UK applicants with a German partner
The bilateral partner must also be an organisation registered in their country.
See full guidance notes attached below for detailed eligibility criteria.
Who cannot apply?
We cannot accept applications from:
- Individual artists or practitioners
- Organisations based outside of Germany or the UK
- National or international networks or member organisations
- Universities or other educational establishments
- Organisations whose main function is grant-making
How much money is available?
We offer a minimum of 12 grants between £15,000 and £20,000 in total per partnership, as well as personal (internal) access costs in addition to this. There is no requirement for match funding.
See full guidance notes attached below for detailed information on available funds and access costs.
What can the funds be used for?
The grants can only be used for activity between 1 April 2027 and 31 March 2028.
Applications can be for physical, digital or hybrid activity. The grants will fund the development of collaborations of a wide spectrum of artistic practices including:
- Dance, music, film, theatre, performance, poetry and fashion
- Interactive or immersive experiences and narratives
- Spatial and sound experiences
- Site-specific and site-responsive work
- Multi-sensory, digital or hybrid environments
- Digital and analogue games or play-based work
- Exhibition and installation projects
- Inter-multidisciplinary and cross-media projects
Grants can support activity happening for the first time (new projects) or activity that is a meaningful development of a previous project, e.g. its first international iteration.
What can't funds be used for?
- Activity that is not arts-related
- Activity that is not focused on exploring the challenges of the digital realm, or local or global instability facing young adults
- Activity that takes place or starts before April 2027, unless otherwise agreed
- Costs/activity that you already have covered by other funding
- General running costs and overheads that are paid for by other income, including your own funds
- Fundraising or profit-making activity
- Ongoing overheads related to equipment or buildings, such as insurance and maintenance costs
- Significant asset or investment purchases – see Section 11 of the full guidance attached below for budget guidelines
We reserve the right to make a reduced offer where costs appear ineligible or unreasonable.