The new cycle aims to support Emirati creatives, cultural initiatives, and innovation.
Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Culture has unveiled the fifth edition of the National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity, a flagship UAE initiative aimed at supporting Emirati creatives and helping them develop impactful cultural and creative projects.
The launch underscores the Ministry’s continued commitment to nurturing national talent and providing opportunities to turn innovative ideas into tangible projects with cultural and societal significance.
Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry, stated: “The National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity demonstrates our ongoing commitment to empowering creatives to make meaningful contributions to the cultural and artistic landscape. This initiative is driven by our strong belief that culture is a cornerstone of holistic development and serves as a bridge linking national identity with cultural openness.”
Al Nakhi added: “Through this programme, we offer creative Emiratis opportunities to develop high-quality projects and turn their ideas into tangible works that enrich the UAE’s cultural landscape. We also aim to enhance national creative output both locally and internationally, aligning with our vision of building a knowledge-based, innovation-driven creative economy.”
He further emphasized that the Ministry continues to advance programmes and initiatives that strengthen the UAE’s cultural and creative industries, while expanding opportunities for national talent to shape the cultural landscape and produce creative content that reflects the uniqueness of Emirati identity and its authentic values.
The programme offers an integrated framework to support creatives across four categories: Creation and Production, Distribution and Local Participation, Capacity Development, and International Travel and Mobility.
These categories encompass a wide array of fields, including writing and publishing, music, film and television, performing arts and theatre, visual arts and design, video games, and cultural heritage. Applications for the fifth cycle will be accepted until 26 June 2026.
Through the programme, the Ministry of Culture provides beneficiaries with comprehensive support to develop their creative projects. This includes enabling the production of cultural works, facilitating participation in cultural events and platforms, and supporting attendance at festivals and specialised gatherings, thereby broadening the reach of their work and enhancing its impact on the cultural landscape.
Since its launch, the programme has seen increasing interest from the creative community, with 26 creatives benefiting in the first cycle, 43 in the second, and 44 in the third cycle.
In December 2025, the Ministry announced 41 beneficiaries for the fourth cycle of the programme, which saw a 77.6% increase in applications compared to previous cycles.
