The Scoping Grant application is now closed. Successful grantees have been notified.

This grant scheme aims to support new connections, exchanges, and future collaborations between the UK and Kenya that lay the foundation for long-term relationships among artists, creative practitioners, and art and cultural organisations, hubs, networks, and collectives through engaging digitally and/or face to face. 

In late 2024 and 2025 we intend to competitively offer further open call opportunities that successful scoping grantees will be eligible for.  Below are key points potential applicants should keep in mind

  • The maximum available grant available per applicant is 5,000GBP and travel should take place between late April and October 2024.
  • Projects should be delivered by at least one UK-based organisation/ individual and at least one organisation/ individual based in Kenya. 
  • Partners will need to agree on who the lead administrative partner is and demonstrate this through submitting a letter of intent as part of their application. The lead administrative partner will apply for, receive and report on the funding as the main point of contact. The partners will need to demonstrate how responsibilities and accountabilities are shared equitably between partners as part of the application process. 
  • This grant cannot support recurrent costs on existing projects.

We also welcome applications that focus on virtual collaboration if there is strong evidence that the grant would be put to good use in developing the project idea without physically visiting the country. We are also open to applications that deliver a collaborative activity that contributes to the development of future project ideas i.e. virtual residencies, workshops, exhibitions, conferences, panels and talks.

The grants are open to individual practitioners, arts and cultural organisations, large or small, in both the UK and Kenya. If the proposed project is clearly shared between two organisations, then only one of the organisations can apply for the grant. 

We are interested in projects at the intersection of one (or many) art forms and creative technology, and/or projects that, through artistic practice, develop applications of technology in new or unexpected ways. These technologies could be, but are not limited to: video gaming, artificial intelligence, XR, blockchain technologies, or emergent scientific research.

What is the UK /Kenya season 2025?

In 2025 the British Council, in collaboration with partners in the UK and Kenya will present a programme of activities that celebrate creativity, innovation through the arts, culture and education links between the UK and Kenya in 2025. This season will catalyse new UK / Kenya partnerships, platform more work from Kenya in the UK and vice versa through increased investment in the arts.

You can learn more about previous seasons here and more on the UK/KE Season in the months to come.

What are the grants for?

The grants will primarily support travel-related costs (flights, visa, accommodation, meals, local transport etc) fundamental to the scoping visits. All applicants should have a clear project (see guidance below) in mind which would then be collaboratively developed through this exchange. The project must be for presentation in Kenya, or in Kenya and UK, but not UK only. In late 2024 we will run an open call to support collaborative projects that best meet the aims of the Season as described below. Recipients of the scooping grant will be encouraged to apply for this grant to further develop and deliver their projects. Projects should be delivered by at least one UK-based individual/ organisation and at least one individual/ organisation based in Kenya. Only one of the two individuals/ organisations can apply for the grant. 

The British Council will not fund legacy activity or recurrent costs on existing projects. We welcome applications that focus on digital collaboration if there is strong evidence that the grant would be put to good use in developing the project idea without physically visiting the country. We are also open to applications that deliver a collaborative activity that contributes to the development of future project ideas i.e. virtual residencies, workshops, exhibitions, conferences, panels and talks.

What funding is available?

Applicants can apply for up to £5,000 each. This can cover visa, international travel, accommodation, speaker fees, research, and a pilot of your project (budget allowing). 

Who can apply?

The grants are open to individual practitioners, arts and cultural organisations, large or small, in both the UK and Kenya. If the proposed project is shared between two individuals/ organisations then the efforts should be combined and the application submitted by one of the individuals/organisations as the lead administrative applicant. 

Organisation applicants should be registered in the UK or in Kenya.

Individual applicants should be Kenyan nationals or UK individuals based/living inside of the United Kingdom unless temporarily living but retaining a home address in the United Kingdom and defined by His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs as ‘resident the in the UK’ for tax – see here.

Funding bodies are not eligible. 

Art form guidance

Proposed projects must be projects for the arts, cultural or creative sector(s) within or across any of the following art forms:

  • Film
  • Literature
  • Visual Arts
  • Theatre and dance (including circus)
  • Architecture, design & fashion (including craft)
  • Music

We are particularly interested in projects at the intersection of one (or many) artforms and creative technology, and/or through artistic practice develop applications of technology in new or unexpected ways. These technologies could be, but are not limited to: video gaming, artificial intelligence, XR, block chain technologies, or emergent scientific research.

We also welcome proposals from creatives interested in exploring:

  • Projects with themes relevant to the creative economy
  • Cross-disciplinary art projects (e.g., art + education + science, art + technology)
  • The scope of a project might be simply to collaborate on a piece of art, a film, piece of writing or music, or could include any of the following:
  • Research and development of future project ideas
  • Residencies, exhibitions, festivals, showcases, workshops, performances, screening programmes, storytelling projects
  • Projects that focus on or include digital innovation (such as projects which combine art with technology in a new or different way)
  • Conferences, panels and talks
  • Creative use of archives

Although this is not a programme focusing on professional development, the outcome doesn’t strictly need to be a completed artistic outcome. The development of skills can be part of a project with the primary outcomes supporting creative and artistic work. The engagement can be digital, face-to-face, or a hybrid blend of both.

Key themes and terms

What can the grant be used for?

The grant should be used to support the process of developing new projects with artistic expression or creativity at the core and that will result in collaborative activities including artistic and creative exchange of either skills, knowledge and practice or the co-production towards new artistic and creative content. Various approaches can be employed such as art residencies, exhibitions, performances and showcases, publications, webinars, and conferences, among others.

While all proposals meeting the above eligibility criteria will be considered, we encourage proposals responding to the following themes for this grant call:

  • Innovation and Technology
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Climate Change
  • Diaspora
  • Identity & Youth Culture

What is the deadline?

Applications should be submitted using the form on this page to be received by10 March 2024 23:59hrs (GMT). 

What are the assessment criteria?

 Your project proposal will be assessed across the following areas, which are also clearly marked in the application form to help you prepare your proposal. 

Quality - The project proposal is of a high artistic/creative quality, is innovative in its approach and shows consideration how the project might continue after this year of delivery. 25%
Partnerships - The project proposal is mutually and equally benefitting both UK and Kenyan applicants. 25%
Management - The project proposal is well planned and resourced and demonstrates equitable use of the budget between the UK and Kenyan applicants. 15%
Documentation & Communication – the project proposal includes a plan to share / document the process / outputs/ outcomes 10%
Theme and Relevance - The project proposal addresses equality, diversity, inclusion, or environmental sustainability. 25%
Total 100%

Please have a look at the grant guidance document at the bottom of this page for a more detailed explanation of the assessment criteria breakdown.

Submission process

Applications should be submitted using the form on this page to be received by 10 March 2024 23:59hrs (GMT). Grants will be paid in GBP for applicants based in the UK and equivalent in KES for applicants based in Kenya (using the British Council’s corporate exchange rate for the month of the contract’s signature by the British Council). We will issue a contract and will need to set you up on our financial system if you are a new vendor.

All payments will be made via bank transfer.   The grant recipient is responsible for paying any taxes and bank fees in relation to their grant. These costs should be included in the project budget at the time of applying. Payments to be made within 30 days of the grant contract being signed by both parties. Please note that only after the grant advance payment is completed – the applicant can start making any expenditure. 

Timeline

  • Open Call launched: 9 February 2024
  • Information sessions: 20 February 2024
  • Open Call closed: 10 March 2024
  • Successful projects notified: 20 March 2024
  • Grant agreement signed: 29 March 2024

If selected for award, you will be expected to submit the following documents to the British Council by 22 March 2024.   

  • An updated budget  
  • Project activity and communications plans   
  • Bank details and registration documents of the lead partner  

Please submit your application ONLY IF you can commit to the schedule specified above. 

Reporting

Comprehensive templates will be provided to successful grantees and reviewed as part of the contracting process. 

Contact details:

Any queries related to the grants call should be sent to email address: eastafricaarts@britishcouncil.or.ke
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