Leading cultural institutions in the UK and Ireland are now invited to apply for funding for joint projects through the UK-Ireland 2030 Cultural Co-operation Programme. 

The UK government and the government of Ireland have established this programme to build on the strong collaboration many UK and Irish institutions already enjoy and support a broader range of institutions.

In March 2025, at the inaugural UK-Ireland Summit, the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister announced the UK-Ireland 2030 Joint statement  and committed to support new projects between the members of the Irish Council of National Cultural Institutions (CNCIs)  and leading UK counterparts.

The UK-Ireland 2030 Cultural Co-operation Programme  is supported by €6,000,000 of funding, up to 2030, made available by the government of Ireland. 

Important information for applicants

The deadline for applications is  Thursday 8 January 2026, 17.00 (GMT).

Details on how to apply and information to include in the application can be found in the Call for Proposals and Guidelines for Applicants document.

Projects in Scope

Projects supported by the programme will fall into one of the following three strands: 

• joint programming and artistic collaborations in Ireland and the UK and jointly in other territories
• professional exchange and development for staff at all stages of their careers and across a range of professions
• joint research and policy initiatives.

Projects may focus on the specific bilateral relationship between Ireland and the UK. Alternatively, they may address a wider curatorial or global theme while illustrating the bilateral partnership. 

Projects may be delivered by one Irish and one UK-based organisation or by multiple partners based in both the UK and Ireland. There is no defined list of named UK cultural organisations eligible to participate in funded joint projects.

Projects must include at least one partner from Ireland and at least one partner from either England, Scotland or Wales.

The Shared Island Cultural Cooperation Fund  is separately being established to support co-operation between institutions based in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Projects whose principal focus is on Ireland and Northern Ireland collaboration should explore that fund. Projects proposed under the UK-Ireland Cultural Co-operation Programme may include additional partners in Northern Ireland, if this is complementary to the objectives of the project and overall programme.

How to Apply 

Cultural organisations in the UK and the members of the Council of National Cultural Institutions in Ireland should identify a bilateral partner or partner organisation they are interested in collaborating with.

Once they have agreed to take forward a project together, proposals should be developed according to the guidelines  and sent to Cultural Institutions by Thursday 8 January 2026, 17.00 (GMT).

Selection of Projects 

An assessment panel, put together by both governments, will assess applications against the criteria you can also read in the application guidance. It is expected that applicants will be notified of a decision within six weeks of applications closing. 

The group of selected projects will ideally represent Wales, Scotland, England (including regions outside of London) and Northern Ireland and cover a diverse range of art forms and themes. 

Once successful projects have been selected, funds will be provided via the Irish National Cultural Institutions to support the delivery of approved projects by UK and Irish partner institutions, and may be used towards agreed joint costs incurred by the Irish and UK partners in each case. 

It is expected that UK partners will be directly involved in the delivery of a project. Where relevant, UK organisations that are involved in a joint project may contribute to its costs from their own resources or apply to further sources of funding in their respective jurisdiction, for example, their national Arts Council or equivalent funding body. 

Subsequent calls may be opened at a later date, subject to the number of projects approved from this initial call and the financial commitments associated with these.