Grant News

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has launched a new competition to find the UK’s next City of Culture.

Delivered in collaboration with the devolved administrations, the competition aims to use culture to level up areas outside London. Applicants must be able to deliver a substantial programme of cultural activity throughout 2029 that can demonstrably lead to regeneration in their area.

Funding amounts:

• The winning location will receive £10 million in prize funding to support them with the delivery of their programme
• £125,000 will be awarded to each of the (up to) three runners up to allow them to take forward some elements of their bid
• Up to eight longlisted applicants will receive bid development grants of £60,000 to help them prepare full submissions

Cities, large towns, regions, and groupings of places are invited to apply.

Expressions of interest must be submitted by the 11th January 2026.

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