Opportunity status:
Open
Funders:
Co-funders:
Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
Funding type:
Grant
Total fund:
£300,000
Award range:
£45,000 - £60,000
Publication date:
24 July 2025
Opening date:
5 August 2025 9:00am UK time
Closing date:
14 October 2025 4:00pm UK time
Last updated: 7 August 2025 -
Apply for Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) funding to maximise the international partnership brokering and networking policy opportunities of UK arts and humanities research, as a step towards the Horizon Europe Resilient Cultural Heritage Partnership.
You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding.
The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £60,000. AHRC will fund 80% of the FEC.
Projects will be funded up to a maximum of 12 months and must start on 1 February 2026 and must be completed by 31 January 2027.
To lead a project, you must be based at an eligible organisation. .
Who is eligible to apply
Applications from early career researchers are particularly encouraged. We recognise the important pipeline for growing researcher capacity in the UK. Support for leadership from early career researchers and showing that you have the right skills at the right level should be clearly explained in your application.
If the project lead is an early career researcher, as, a mentor can be included within the application. This mentor must be clearly outlined in the resources and cost justification section of the application form.
This funding opportunity is part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment. This is a form of government aid.
Employment
The project lead and any project co-leads must be employed and supported by an eligible organisation for at least the duration of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) support; it is not a requirement that a contract be in place at the point of application submission. It is also not a requirement to have a permanent employment contract to apply for funding.
Skills and qualifications
You must have the appropriate skills to lead the project in line with UKRI’s terms and conditions. There are no specific qualification requirements, and you do not necessarily need a qualification such as a PhD. During your project, you must be primarily based and permitted to work in the UK.
You do not need to hold an academic research or teaching post to apply; applications are welcomed from those working as archivists, curators, librarians, technicians, practitioners.
Project co-leads
Project co-leads are permitted and encouraged for interdisciplinary applications or where a co-lead would provide specific technical expertise that is essential to the project. This can include international co-leads as per the guidance below. However, it must be clear that the project lead is responsible for leading the project. There is no maximum number of Co-Leads that can be included on the application. However, the inclusion of each Co-Lead needs to be fully justified in the application.
Other roles
Other roles that are supported by this funding opportunity are listed in the How to Apply section below.
Resubmissions
You cannot resubmit a previous UKRI application to this funding opportunity.
Who is not eligible to apply
We do not support project studentships (funding PhD study) within this funding opportunity.
International researchers
As AHRC is a lead funder for this funding opportunity, international researchers can apply as ‘project co-lead (international)’. You should include all other international collaborators (or UK partners not based at approved organisations) as project partners.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.
We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:
* career breaks
* support for people with caring responsibilities
* flexible working
* alternative working patterns
UKRI can offer during the application and assessment process.