Covering fields such as crafts, performing arts, audiovisual media, cultural heritage, and cross-border cooperation, the featured programmes of our curated list provide support for learning, experimentation, and building new connections. As summer comes to an end, it is the perfect moment to explore these opportunities and prepare your next creative step. Be sure to check the deadlines, as several calls close from late August onwards.
1. European Heritage Hub | Small Grants Scheme 2026
Sector: Cultural Heritage, Civil Society, Community Development
Deadline: September 7, 2026 (eligibility assessment) / September 20, 2026 (full application)
The European Heritage Hub invites civil society organisations from 11 EU neighbouring countries to apply for its second Small Grants Scheme, supporting heritage projects that strengthen communities, resilience, and regional cooperation.
The grants support initiatives that promote heritage-led community development, peacebuilding, capacity building, and cross-border collaboration, with dedicated priorities for the Western Balkans, the Caucasus, and Ukraine and Moldova.
Support provided:
- Grants of up to €10,000 or between €10,000 and €25,000
- Funding for heritage projects led by civil society organisations
- Support for initiatives promoting community resilience, cooperation, and heritage protection
Who can apply:
- Civil society organisations based in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine
- Organisations working on cultural heritage and community development
- Projects aligned with regional priorities, including reconciliation, heritage protection, resilience, and democratic participation
2. British Council | Connections Through Culture Grants 2026
Sector: Arts & Culture, International Collaboration, Creative Industries
Deadline: August 12, 2026
The British Council invites applications for Connections Through Culture 2026, a grant programme supporting international artistic collaborations between the UK and partners in eligible countries worldwide. The programme aims to foster cross-cultural exchange and develop long-term creative partnerships across a wide range of artistic disciplines.
Grants support collaborative projects involving artists, cultural organisations, festivals, creative hubs, and collectives working together to deliver innovative cultural initiatives across borders.
Support provided:
- Grants between £5,000 and £15,000
- Funding for international collaborative projects
- Support for partnerships across multiple artistic disciplines
Who can apply:
- Artists and creative practitioners
- Arts and cultural organisations
- Festivals, biennials, creative hubs, networks, and collectives
- Cultural professionals working with a UK partner and a partner from an eligible participating country
3. European Cultural Foundation | Historical Archives Fellowship Programme
Sector: Research, Arts & Culture, Cultural Heritage
Deadline: September 30, 2026
The European Cultural Foundation (ECF) invites researchers and artists to apply for its new Historical Archives Fellowship Programme, supporting projects that explore the Foundation's archives at the Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU). The fellowships encourage research and creative work that examines ECF's legacy while reflecting on the role of culture in shaping Europe's shared future.
Two fellowships are available for academic and artistic research, offering participants the opportunity to develop new work based on ECF's historical collections.
Support provided:
- Academic Research Fellowship: €5,000 grant
- Artistic Research Fellowship: €10,000 grant
- Funding covers research stay, travel, accommodation, living expenses, and, for artistic fellows, production costs
Who can apply:
- PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, early-career researchers, and independent scholars
- Professional artists and creatives working in visual arts, performing arts, film, audiovisual practices, podcasting, journalism, documentary, or literary fields
- Applicants interested in researching the history of the European Cultural Foundation and Europe's cultural heritage
4. EIT Culture & Creativity | Skills-based Training Courses Open Call
Sector: Audiovisual Media, Education, Professional Development
Deadline: September 14, 2026
EIT Culture & Creativity invites proposals to develop and deliver skills-based training courses for professionals in the audiovisual media sector. The call supports flexible, online learning programmes that help the workforce respond to emerging challenges in areas such as artificial intelligence, intellectual property, and digital storytelling.
The initiative aims to strengthen Europe's audiovisual ecosystem by funding practical, market-oriented training that enables professionals to upskill and adapt to rapid technological and industry change.
Support provided:
- Up to €75,000 per selected project
- Total call budget of €600,000
- Funding to design and pilot online Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses
Who can apply:
- Legal entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries
- Organisations developing professional training in the audiovisual sector
- Projects focusing on intellectual property, AI in audiovisual production, or digital, interactive, and cross-media storytelling
5. DRIFT | Open Call for Mid-Career Choreographers
Sector: Performing Arts, Dance, Artistic Research
Deadline: August 31, 2026
DRIFT invites mid-career choreographers to join an international programme supporting artistic research, experimentation, and professional development. Rather than focusing on completed productions, the programme provides time and resources for artists to explore new ideas and develop future work within a collaborative European network.
Ten selected choreographers—one from each partner country—will take part in residencies, mentoring, online labs, and a work-in-progress showcase at the Biennale de la Danse in Lyon.
Support provided:
- €20,000 research budget
- Residency with a local DRIFT partner
- Three online collaborative labs
- Artistic and curatorial mentoring
Who can apply:
- Mid-career choreographers working in contemporary dance or performance
- Artists interested in artistic research and experimentation
- Practitioners seeking to strengthen their European collaborations and professional network
- Applicants based in one of the participating countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine, Norway, or Tunisia
6. European Crafts Alliance | Research on Rare and Endangered Crafts
Sector: Crafts, Cultural Heritage, Research
Deadline: September 15, 2026
The European Crafts Alliance is seeking an expert consultant or research organisation to conduct a Europe-wide study on rare and endangered crafts. The research will examine the current state of vulnerable craft practices and develop recommendations to help safeguard traditional skills for future generations.
The selected partner will contribute to a growing body of research on Europe's crafts sector by mapping endangered crafts, collecting data, identifying successful preservation initiatives, and proposing policy recommendations.
Support provided:
- Research contract with a maximum budget of €16,347
- Opportunity to contribute to European policy and advocacy for crafts
- Collaboration with the European Crafts Alliance on a landmark sector study
Who can apply:
- Expert consultants or research organisations
- Teams with experience in crafts, cultural heritage, or social research
- Organisations with expertise in European policy analysis and stakeholder engagement
- Applicants able to deliver the study in English
7. ZMINA: Resilience | Support for International Showcasing of Co-creation Projects
Sector: Arts & Culture, International Cooperation, Mobility
Deadline: September 14, 2026 (Round 1)
ZMINA: Resilience invites cultural organisations to apply for funding that supports the international showcasing of artistic works co-created by Ukrainian organisations and their Creative Europe partners. The programme aims to expand the visibility, audience reach, and long-term impact of cross-border cultural collaborations through public presentations across Europe.
Projects should present co-created works while engaging new audiences through activities such as translation, contextualisation, community participation, and parallel public programmes. All cultural and creative sectors are eligible except the audiovisual sector.
Support provided:
- Grants of up to €50,000 (covering up to 90% of project costs)
- Total funding budget of €950,000
- Support for international showcasing, audience development, and cross-border cultural cooperation
Who can apply:
- Arts and cultural organisations registered in Creative Europe countries
- Partnerships involving at least two organisations from two different countries, including one from Ukraine
- Organisations developing collaborative projects with balanced international partnerships and public presentation activities
8. EFFEA | Call for Two Residency Categories
Sector: Performing Arts, Festivals, Emerging Artists, International Collaboration
Deadline: November 3, 2026
The European Festivals Fund for Emerging Artists (EFFEA) launches its fifth call, supporting around 50 residency projects in 2027 that connect emerging artists with festivals across Europe. The programme enables festivals to collaborate across borders and provide artists with time, space, mentoring, and opportunities to develop and present new work.
Support provided:
EFFEA Discovery: €8,000 grant for emerging artists developing their international career
EFFEA Springboard: €15,000 grant for artists ready to expand internationally
Who can apply:
- Festivals collaborating with emerging artists or collectives
- Artists working in disciplines including performing arts, music, design, digital arts, film, literature, heritage, visual arts, and interdisciplinary practices
- Partnerships involving festivals from eligible Creative Europe countries
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Main image: C S on Unsplash edited by Creatives Unite
