British Council Launches 2026 Cultural Protection Fund Funding Round

The British Council has officially opened the 2026 funding round for its Cultural Protection Fund (CPF), inviting eligible organisations to submit Expressions of Interest for grants of up to £500,000. The programme supports projects that safeguard cultural heritage threatened by conflict and climate change while promoting long-term social stability and economic prosperity.

Established in 2016 in partnership with the UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the Cultural Protection Fund has become one of the leading international funding programmes dedicated to protecting vulnerable cultural heritage. Since its inception, the fund has awarded more than £57 million to support 178 projects across 20 countries.

Eligible organisations are encouraged to submit their Expressions of Interest by Monday, 20 July 2026, at 23:59 BST. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit full project proposals.

Funding Available for Multi-Year Heritage Protection Projects

The 2026 funding round will provide financial support to organisations implementing projects that protect cultural heritage at risk while strengthening local communities.

Applicants may apply for grants of up to £500,000, with funding expected to be distributed across projects of varying sizes.

The British Council expects to award approximately:

Seven grants valued between £100,000 and £500,000
Around 20 grants valued below £100,000

Each proposal will undergo an independent assessment based on its quality, impact, feasibility and alignment with the Cultural Protection Fund’s objectives.

Eligible Countries for the 2026 Funding Round

Projects must focus on protecting cultural heritage in one or more of the following participating countries:

Bangladesh
Egypt
Ethiopia
Iraq
Jordan
Kenya
Lebanon
Libya
Nepal
Pakistan
Palestine
Syria
Sudan
Tanzania
Tunisia
Uganda
Yemen

While lead organisations may be registered anywhere in the world, every application must include partners that are legally registered within the participating countries. Applicants must also demonstrate strong local demand, community engagement and support for the proposed activities.

Key Application Dates

Interested organisations should take note of the following deadlines:

Applications open: 23 June 2026
Expressions of Interest deadline: 20 July 2026 (23:59 BST)
Online information session: 1 July 2026 (10:00–11:00 BST)
Full application deadline: 28 August 2026 (23:59 BST)
Projects commence: December 2026
Projects conclude by: 31 January 2029

Applicants are advised to prepare their submissions well before the deadline to ensure all required documentation is completed.

Information Session to Support Applicants

To assist prospective applicants, the British Council will host an online information session on 1 July 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am BST.

The session will provide guidance on the application process, funding requirements and eligibility criteria, while allowing participants to ask questions directly. Organisations unable to attend will be able to access a recording after the event through the Cultural Protection Fund website.

Application Guidance Available

Before submitting an Expression of Interest, applicants are encouraged to carefully review the official Application Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

The guidance outlines:

Eligibility requirements
Assessment criteria
Project design expectations
Budget preparation
Required supporting documents
Partnership requirements
Application procedures

Applications are submitted through the Good Grants online platform.

Supporting Global Heritage Protection

The Cultural Protection Fund continues to play a significant role in preserving cultural heritage that faces increasing threats from armed conflict, environmental disasters and climate change.

Beyond protecting historical sites, artefacts and cultural traditions, supported projects contribute to community resilience, sustainable development and economic recovery by empowering local organisations and preserving cultural identity for future generations.

Organisations with experience in cultural heritage conservation, archaeology, museum development, community engagement and related sectors are encouraged to explore the funding opportunity and submit competitive proposals before the July deadline.

With grants of up to £500,000 available, the 2026 Cultural Protection Fund represents a significant opportunity for organisations working to protect vulnerable cultural heritage while strengthening communities across Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.