GrantRadar

Discover Creative Careers

Discover Creative Careers Grants

Grants of up to £4,000 from the national Discover Creative Careers programme for hyperlocal activity that opens creative career opportunities to underserved young people aged 11-24 anywhere in the UK. Creative industry organisations (SMEs, charities and CICs) lead; freelancers, sole traders and local authorities can only take part as partners. Activities must run between 1 January and 31 March 2027, and paid traineeships and activity in the devolved nations are particularly sought. Apply by 30 November 2026.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £4,000
Deadline
31 days left
30 November
Effort
Light
short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

  • Creative industry organisations based anywhere in the UK, including the devolved nations: small and medium-sized businesses, charities and community interest companies
  • Individuals, freelancers and sole traders cannot lead an application but can be involved through a partnership led by an eligible organisation
  • Local authorities, combined authorities and mayoral strategic authorities cannot lead but may partner with a lead industry organisation

What it funds

Activity that helps young people access creative careers opportunities and directly engages them, for example:

  • Industry networking events and related support that connect young people with local creative businesses
  • Skills, awareness and confidence-building programmes, including short placements and paid traineeships
  • Bootcamps or practical experiences in professional creative settings
  • Creative careers outreach delivered in youth hubs, careers hubs and other community settings
  • Online or virtual activities that directly engage young people who cannot attend in person
  • Travel bursaries or subsidies that help young people access existing opportunities
  • New projects or pilots testing ways to overcome local barriers to creative careers

projects should focus on underserved young people and respond to a clearly identified local need or gap. You do not need to serve the whole 11-24 age range. Smaller requests, such as travel costs, are welcome.

What it will not fund

  • State secondary school work experience already supported through the Discover Creative Careers programme
  • Workshops or audience engagement activities within projects that already have funding
  • General arts projects without a specific creative careers focus
  • Online resources with no direct engagement with young people
  • Core staff delivery costs for activities that are already funded and taking place
  • Activities outside the delivery period of 1 January - 31 March 2027

How to apply

  1. Read the grant guidance; optional online information webinars run on 29 October, 5 November and 12 November 2026
  2. Create an account on the Creative UK application portal
  3. Complete and submit the online application by 30 November 2026

further rounds are planned across the 2026-2029 Discover Creative Careers programme.

Have ready

  • Names of participating organisations and their experience in creative careers or working with young people
  • Location of the activity, including postcodes
  • Creative industry subsector(s) involved
  • The local gap in creative careers provision and how your project addresses it
  • The intended group of young people and whether you have worked with them before
  • Amount requested and a breakdown of how the money will be spent

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