CYCLE 1

Legacy of the Brazil–UK Season of Culture 2025–26

About

The Emerging Artists Fund is a legacy initiative of the UK/Brazil Season of Culture 2025–26, created to expand artistic and professional development opportunities for emerging artists in both countries. The Fund supports international collaboration, cultural exchange and stronger professional networks through artistic residencies, professional development and showcase opportunities.

The Fund’s Open Call is structured around two cycles. Cycle 1 is open exclusively to Brazilian non-profit cultural organisations that were part of the official Brazil–UK Season of Culture 2025–26 programme and received financial support from the British Council through the Season.

Cycle 2 will be announced in due course if additional funding becomes available

Objectives

This Open Call aims to:

  • Expand artistic and professional development opportunities for emerging artists from Brazil and the UK;
  • Promote cultural exchange, collaboration and co-creation between artists and organisations in both countries; and
  • Strengthen emerging artists’ access to international platforms, networks and professional opportunities.

Cycle 1 is open only to Brazilian non-profit cultural organisations that took part in the official programme of the Brazil–UK Season of Culture 2025–26 and received financial support from the British Council for their participation. Applications must be submitted in partnership with a UK organisation, with both partners responsible for developing and delivering the proposed project.

Due to the British Council’s legal and operational structure in Brazil, the Grant Agreement and payment of funds will be made to the Brazilian applicant organisation.

A list of eligible organisations is available to download. For any questions, please contact UKBRAseason@britishcouncil.org

Each selected project may receive financial support of up to BRL 210,000.

Applications must be submitted through the online application form available on this page.

The application form must be completed in Portuguese.

Full eligibility requirements, application guidance and conditions are set out in the Terms of Reference.

  • Institutional Partnership and Delivery Capacity – 30%

The quality of the Brazil–UK partnership, the organisations’ technical and institutional capacity, and the feasibility of project delivery.

  • Quality of the Proposal – 40%

The quality of the Artistic Residency, Professional Development activities and Showcase included in the proposal.

  • Artist Selection Process – 30%

The quality of the proposed open call for artists, including representation, diversity, accessibility, geographical reach and opportunities for artist development.

Dates Activity
17 September – 25 October 2026, until 23:59 Brasília time Application period
17 September – 21 October 2026 Enquiries may be submitted by email
25 October 2026, 23:59 Brasília time Application deadline
20 November 2026 Shortlisted applicants contacted
20 December 2026 Final selection announced

Full details are available in the Terms of Reference.

Application deadline

Applications must be submitted by 25 October 2026 at 23:59 Brasília time.

For any questions, please email UKBRAseason@britishcouncil.org by 21 October 2026.
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