Apply for Culture and Creative Infrastructure Capital Funding (UK)

The 2026–2027 Culture and Creative Infrastructure Capital Funding Programme provides £50,000 capital grants to support cultural and heritage organisations in Birmingham in improving, adapting, and strengthening their facilities. Delivered by Birmingham City Council as part of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Culture and Creative Infrastructure Programme (CCIP), the programme promotes long-term organisational sustainability, environmental responsibility, and inclusive access.

About the Program

The 2026–2027 Culture and Creative Infrastructure Capital Funding Programme supports Birmingham’s cultural and heritage organisations in delivering capital projects that improve, adapt, and strengthen their facilities for long-term sustainability. The programme forms part of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Culture and Creative Infrastructure Programme (CCIP) and aims to help organisations enhance their infrastructure through strategic capital investment.

Program Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Improve and adapt locally significant cultural and heritage assets.
• Strengthen the long-term sustainability of cultural and heritage organisations.
• Support environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.
• Contribute to Birmingham’s net zero ambitions.
• Improve accessibility to cultural and heritage facilities.
• Promote equitable, diverse, and inclusive participation.
• Encourage fair employment practices through the Birmingham Real Living Wage.
• Increase the resilience of Birmingham’s cultural infrastructure.

Funding Amount

The programme offers:

• Capital grants of £50,000 per successful applicant.

A total of:

• Four grants are expected to be awarded under the 2026–2027 funding round.

Eligible Activities

Funding is available for capital projects that support:

• Adaptation of cultural and heritage facilities.
• Reuse of locally significant cultural assets.
• Improvement or refurbishment of buildings and facilities.
• Infrastructure upgrades.
• Accessibility improvements.
• Energy efficiency improvements.
• Environmental sustainability initiatives.
• Capital investments that strengthen organisational resilience.

Ineligible Activities

The programme does not fund revenue activities.

Revenue-related costs must be supported through alternative funding sources. Examples include:

• Staff salaries not related to capital works.
• Day-to-day operational expenses.
• General programme delivery costs.
• Other non-capital activities.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be eligible cultural or heritage organisations based in Birmingham.
• Meet all programme eligibility requirements.
• Complete the required registration process before applying.

Registration Process

Before submitting an application, organisations must:

• Create a BRUM account.
• Complete a Grant Applicant Profile.

Registration is free and is required to access the online application system.

Application Requirements

Applicants must prepare a comprehensive proposal that includes:

• A detailed project description.
• A completed budget template.
• A project milestone template.
• A realistic implementation plan.
• Clear justification of project costs.
• Information on any required permissions or licences.
• Environmental sustainability considerations.
• Inclusive participation measures.

Projects should be realistic, achievable, and deliverable within the available budget and project timeframe.

Fair Pay Requirement

All individuals working on funded activities must be paid at least the:

• Birmingham Real Living Wage.

Applicants should ensure their project budgets reflect this requirement.

Environmental Sustainability

Applications should demonstrate how the proposed project will:

• Improve environmental sustainability.
• Increase energy efficiency.
• Support Birmingham’s net zero objectives.
• Reduce environmental impacts where possible.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Applicants are encouraged to ensure their projects:

• Improve accessibility to cultural facilities.
• Support equitable participation.
• Promote diversity and inclusion.
• Remove barriers to participation for underrepresented communities.

Information Session

Applicants are encouraged to attend the programme’s funding webinar to:

• Understand eligibility requirements.
• Learn about the assessment process.
• Review application guidance.
• Clarify project expectations before applying.

Program Benefits

The programme helps organisations to:

• Improve and modernize cultural facilities.
• Preserve important heritage assets.
• Increase organisational resilience.
• Enhance accessibility.
• Reduce environmental impacts.
• Strengthen long-term sustainability.
• Deliver higher-quality cultural experiences for local communities.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances of success by:

• Developing a realistic and achievable capital project.
• Providing clear and accurate project budgets.
• Explaining the long-term benefits of the investment.
• Demonstrating environmental sustainability outcomes.
• Showing how the project improves accessibility and inclusion.
• Identifying all required permissions before submission.
• Ensuring compliance with the Birmingham Real Living Wage requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the programme?

Eligible cultural and heritage organisations based in Birmingham that meet the programme requirements may apply.

How much funding is available?

Successful applicants may receive a capital grant of £50,000, with four grants expected to be awarded.

What types of projects are supported?

The programme funds capital projects such as building improvements, infrastructure upgrades, accessibility improvements, environmental sustainability initiatives, and the adaptation or reuse of cultural and heritage assets.

Are operational or revenue costs eligible?

No. The programme supports capital activities only. Revenue-related costs must be funded through other sources.

Is registration required before applying?

Yes. Applicants must create a BRUM account and complete a Grant Applicant Profile before accessing the online application form.

Is attending the funding webinar mandatory?

Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory. The webinar helps applicants understand the eligibility criteria, application process, and assessment requirements.

Conclusion

The 2026–2027 Culture and Creative Infrastructure Capital Funding Programme provides £50,000 capital grants to help Birmingham’s cultural and heritage organisations improve their facilities, strengthen long-term sustainability, and increase accessibility. By supporting infrastructure improvements, environmental sustainability, and inclusive participation, the programme contributes to a stronger, more resilient cultural sector while advancing Birmingham’s broader social and environmental objectives.