Distribution and Local Participation Grant Program

Distribution and Local Participation Grant Program is sponsored by Ministry of Culture, UAE. This grant supports the promotion, distribution, and publication of creative projects to increase visibility for locally produced artworks and creative projects.

3. National grant program for culture and creativity The Ministry of Culture has launched the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity that includes a set of grants to offer support to UAE national creatives. Aimed at fostering talent and overall cultural production, the grants target creative professionals distinguished in the cultural and creative industries.

Support UAE creative professionals to enhance their creative, intellectual, and professional growth at critical stages in their careers. Promote and preserve the UAE’s national identity and heritage through cultural production. Build a robust talent pool in the country to enrich the UAE’s creative economy.

Support UAE creatives to gain exposure for their creative works on local and international platforms. Widen the network of the UAE’s homegrown cultural and creative industries and enhance its socioeconomic value. To encourage sustainability within the practices of cultural and creative practitioners by integrating environmentally-friendly materials and processes.

**The National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity will support seven fields including** **Performing Arts & Theatre** Poised to boost the cultural and creative output of the UAE, the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity aims to strengthen the creative ecosystem by funding 4 types of grant categories which include: #### Distribution and Local Participations ## The program stands as a testament to the UAE's steadfast dedication to raising awareness, preserving the UAE's National Identity and country's creative offerings on a local and global scale.

The grants program targets emerging or established UAE national creative professionals. Applicants should have an academic background in the relevant creative field and either have work experience for at least 3 years with a strong professional track record or completed achievements within the field being applied for.

Those fulfilling these criteria are encouraged to complete the online application form below and ensure to attach the specific documents required for each grant category. ###### The Fifth cycle of the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity is officially accepting applications. #### September 01, 2026 11:59 PM ###### The last day to apply for the fifth cycle of the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity.

##### Grant Recipients First Cycle 2023 The first cycle of the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity.. ##### Grant Recipients Second Cycle 2024 The Second cycle of the National Grant Program for Culture and... ##### Grant Recipients Third Cycle 2025 The Third cycle of the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity...

##### Grant Recipients Cycle Fourth 2025 The Fourth cycle of the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity 2025 includes 41 UAE National creatives from various Emirates that have been selected to receive a grant from the Ministry of Culture to complete a creative project within their fields. Further information on the grant recipients and their projects can be found below. 1.

The applicant must be a UAE citizen or children of Emirati mothers and have academic qualifications or a record of achievements in the fields of cultural and creativity. 2. The applicant must not be less than 18 years old, unless they have exceptional achievements and talents within the cultural and creative fields.

3. The applicant must be of good conduct and reputation and must not have been convicted by any court or disciplinary body of an offense involving honor or integrity, even if subsequently rehabilitated. 4.

The applicant must be the owner of the project and may not benefit from other grants for the same project within the support framework without informing the Ministry. 5. The proposed project or opportunity must align with the cultural and creative fields and contribute to promoting the culture and national identity of the United Arab Emirates.

6. The applicant must uphold national identity and demonstrate a commitment to respecting the customs, traditions, and social values of the country. 7.

The applicant must ensure transparency and accuracy in submitting all required documents. 8. The Ministry of Culture has the right to determine the approved grant for each project, as it deems appropriate.

9. The Ministry of Culture has the right to exclude any application that does not meet the required criteria or for any other reasons that conflict with the tendency of the project.

## Creativity in Emirates Villages The **‘Creativity in Emirates Villages’** initiative, launched in collaboration with the Emirates Council for Balanced Development under the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity, supports cultural and creative projects that contribute to the development of Emirates Villages.

It aims to strengthen local cultural identity while empowering creatives to transform their ideas into sustainable economic, social, and tourism opportunities, fostering cultural activity and preserving local cultural heritage To establish Creativity in the Emirates Villages as the UAE’s leading national platform for supporting and enabling cultural projects that promote balanced development and transform villages into vibrant hubs of creativity, culture and tourism.

**About Emirates Villages** Through Emirates Villages, Emirates Council for Balanced Development works to support the comprehensive and integrated development of communities and villages across the UAE. The initiative aims to develop 10 rural villages across the country, with a focus on tourism, culture, community, and human development. Villages within the initiative include Masfout, Qidfa, Al Rams, Al Silaa, and Falaj Al Mualla.

**Objectives of the Initiative** * * Support cultural and creative projects related to Emirates Villages. * Preserve tangible and intangible cultural heritage. * Highlight the cultural identity of each village.

* Encourage local community participation. * Transform culture and creativity into sustainable economic opportunities. * Promote cultural tourism.

* Discover and empower local creative talent. * Produce cultural content that reflects the cultural diversity of villages. * Develop sustainable projects.

* * Be connected to one or more Emirates Villages. * Preserve local identity and heritage. * Engage the local community.

* Deliver social, economic, or tourism impact. * Support local artisans and creatives. * Enhance the image of Emirates Villages.

* Align with the directives and programmes of the Emirates Council for Balanced Development. In order to ensure sending a successful application, those wishing to apply should review the criteria and eligibility section and share all the required documents. For further assistance please contact us on the following channels.

Emerging or established or Artisans UAE national creative professionals are eligible to apply for the grant program. The applicant must be at least 18 years old. If the applicant is less than 18 years old but already has outstanding achievements and skills in the cultural and creative fields, then an exception may be made to consider their application.

Yes, the applicant must have either previous work experience or should have outstanding achievements in the relevant cultural or creative field applied for. No, the grant is intended to support projects/ opportunities for individuals only. Yes, however we would require one individual to represent the group to complete the registration and take responsibility for grant program requirements.

The National Grants Program for Culture and Creativity offers grants in five categories, catering to the specific needs of creatives.

* Creation and Production: Support the development of creative projects by covering production expenses including rental of locations and specialized equipment, etc. * Distribution and Local Participations: Support the promotion and distribution of creative projects including exhibitions, performances, public programs, and participation fees for local events or festivals.

* Capacity Development: Support professional development of creatives to foster their talent and enhance their skills through local or international opportunities such as short courses or residencies. * International Travel and Mobility: Support travel and transport expenses associated with participation in international opportunities such as festivals, exhibitions, and events.

The fields being supported include: * Books & Literature Books (Literature, Poetry, Illustrations, etc.), Magazines and Digital Publishing * Music: Music Production & Distribution, , Musical Performances, Concerts * Performing arts and theatre Theatre, Opera and Live performances * Film and TV Short Films, Feature Films – fiction, Documentaries, , TV Series, Animation, New Media – content creation * Visual Arts and Design , Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Calligraphy, Fashion, Product Design, Digital Arts, Photography, Interior Design, Jewelry Design, Sculpture, Architecture Sustainable Products * Video Games Game Design, Video game development and programming * Cultural Heritage Crafts, Arabic Language Heritage Preservation, Heritage Education, Research and Exhibitions related to tangible and intangible heritage) The applicant is required to choose one category that is compatible with the requirements of the submitted project within the creative fields described above.

The grant assessment team and a subject-matter expert committee at the Ministry of Culture will evaluate the appropriate grant amount that will be awarded based on the results of the overall application needs and taking into account the variables of the market. Applicants are kindly requested to apply for a grant amount that falls within the allocated amount according to the grant categories.

* Creation and Production Grant (Up to AED 100,000) * Documentation and Archiving Grant (Up to AED 100,000) * Distribution and Local Participations Grant (Up to AED 50,000) * Capacity Development Grant (Up to AED 50,000) * International Travel and Mobility Grant (Up to AED 50,000) 1. Registration opens and applications are received. 2.

Grants assessment team reviews applications to ensure completion of all required documents. 3. Grants assessment team begins the evaluation process of all applications and identifies shortlisted candidates.

4. Shortlisted candidates are contacted for interviews to further explain their proposed projects. 5.

Overall evaluation process is completed and selected grantees are contacted. 6. Disbursement of grants to beneficiaries to start implementing projects.

September 01, 2026 11:59 PM The financial grants will be disbursed 8 weeks after the evaluation of applications and approval of the final list of beneficiaries. Yes, in case of insufficient information and based on the directives of the Ministry of Culture’s evaluation committee, the applicants may be contacted to provide more evidence.

Yes, there is a team that will follow up on the implementation of projects and receive final completion reports from the grantees. Yes, you may still apply for this grant. The goal of this grant program is to support and sustain cultural and creative production, but all the details of the previous grants received must be mentioned in the application form.

* The applicant must be operating in a creative field listed by the Ministry. He/she should have a record of achievements in the field and be recognized in that field and have the ability to complete the proposed creative project.

* The applicant must provide a clear explanation of the project, its execution plan, impact, and requirements for the implementation of the project, as well as the duration and budget required for its completion. * The applicant must provide clear evidence that he/she is the owner of the creative idea of the project and will implement the project themselves.

In case there are other creatives involved, their contribution and role in the project must be mentioned as well. The ministry encourages grantees to plan effectively and will not bear any additional costs exceeding the grant amount that was finalized at the time of signing the contract. * Creativity in Emirates Villages This site is registered on wpml.

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