Open Call for Dance Grants and Cultural Development Programs (Philippines)

Deadline: 31-Aug-2026

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is offering multiple dance-focused grant programs to support artistic development, dance education, community participation, cultural preservation, innovation, and creative productions across the Philippines.

The grants support dance festivals, community dance hubs, choreography projects, capacity-building initiatives, and national dance summits through programs including Indayog sa Kapakanan, Indak Lundayan, Sayaw Likha, Kasayaw Project, and ONEDANCEPH 2.0.

Programme Overview

The NCCA Dance Grants aim to strengthen the Philippine dance sector by supporting:

• Dance festivals and performances
• Community dance development
• Dance education and training
• Choreography and creative productions
• Cultural preservation and research
• Inclusive participation and accessibility
• Dance innovation and digital integration
• Regional and grassroots artistic growth

The programmes also promote:

• Gender equality and social inclusion
• Climate and disaster resilience
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Philippine cultural identity
• Stakeholder collaboration and industry engagement

Grant Categories

SCA-NCD-01: Indayog sa Kapakanan

Support to New and Emerging Dance Festivals

This grant supports new and emerging dance festivals that encourage artistic presentation and community participation.

Funding

• PHP 250,000 per project
• Two available slots

Priority Regions

• Region I
• Negros Island Region
• Region X
• Region XIII

Project Requirements

Festivals must include:

• At least five participating dance groups or entries
• Workshops, talks, or community engagement activities
• Audience reach of at least 5,000 people through live or online platforms

Required Outputs

• Festival documentation
• Evaluation reports
• Audience engagement records

SCA-NCD-02: Indak Lundayan

Support to Creation of Community Dance Hubs

This project supports sustainable dance hubs focused on youth and underserved communities.

Funding

• PHP 1,000,000
• One project slot

Key Requirements

Projects must include:

• At least 20 scholars or participants
• At least 20% participation from marginalized sectors
• Workshops and partnership activities
• A culminating showcase
• Sustainability and promotional plans

Target Groups

Priority inclusion for:

• LGBTQIA++ communities
• Children
• Elderly individuals
• Persons with disabilities

SCA-NCD-03: Sayaw Likha

Support to New Creative Dance Productions

Sayaw Likha funds original Philippine dance productions by emerging choreographers and groups.

Funding

• PHP 500,000
• Two project slots

Focus Areas

Projects are encouraged to include:

• Dance Tech Synergy
• Multimedia integration
• Innovative staging
• Local cultural themes
• Social issues such as:
  • GEDSI
  • Disaster resilience
  • SDGs

Audience Requirement

Productions must aim to reach at least 1,000 audiences.

SCA-NCD-04: Kasayaw Project

Capacity Building for Dance Teachers and Artists

Kasayaw supports professional training and development for dance practitioners.

Funding

• PHP 500,000
• Three project slots

Training Topics

Priority topics include:

• Folk dance interpretation
• Street dance choreography
• Ballroom dance techniques
• Values education through dance
• Intellectual property rights
• Artist welfare
• Festival dance practices

Programme Requirements

Projects must include:

• At least 16 contact hours
• Minimum 50% face-to-face sessions
• At least 10 qualified fellows or participants
• Full activity documentation

SCA-NCD-05: ONEDANCEPH 2.0

National Dance Summit and Festival

ONEDANCEPH 2.0 supports a national-scale dance initiative integrating research, education, and creative production.

Funding

• PHP 2,000,000
• One project slot

Programme Components

The initiative includes:

• National Dance Research Forum
• Training and education activities
• Choreographic productions
• Stakeholder consultations
• National Convergence Conference

Main Objectives

• Strengthen the Philippine dance ecosystem
• Promote cultural preservation
• Encourage innovation and collaboration
• Support inclusive participation
• Highlight Filipino cultural identity

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• LGUs
• SEC-registered dance organizations
• NGOs
• Academic institutions
• People’s Organizations (POs)

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Organizational capacity
• Cultural programming experience
• Project implementation capability

How to Apply

Required Documents

Applicants must submit:

• NCCA Certificate of Accreditation
• Organizational profile
• Detailed project proposal
• Work and financial plan
• Sustainability strategy
• Documentation of previous projects
• Supporting documents based on grant category

Application Tips

Applicants should:

• Present measurable outputs
• Demonstrate community impact
• Include sustainability plans
• Show inclusive participation strategies
• Clearly explain budget allocation

Why These Grants Matter

The NCCA Dance Grants help:

• Strengthen grassroots dance development
• Support emerging dance artists and choreographers
• Preserve Philippine dance traditions
• Expand access to dance education
• Encourage inclusive and community-centered artistic practices

The programmes also help build stronger regional and national dance networks across the Philippines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Incomplete Documentation

Missing accreditation or proposal documents may affect eligibility.

Weak Sustainability Plans

Projects should clearly explain long-term impact and continuity.

Limited Community Engagement

Applications should demonstrate active audience and stakeholder participation.

Unclear Budget Allocation

Budgets should align with project activities and expected outputs.

FAQ

What are the NCCA Dance Grants?

They are funding programs supporting dance festivals, choreography, education, research, and community dance initiatives in the Philippines.

Who can apply?

LGUs, NGOs, dance organizations, academic institutions, and People’s Organizations are eligible.

What is Dance Tech Synergy?

It refers to integrating dance with digital technology, multimedia, and innovative staging methods.

Are marginalized communities included in the programs?

Yes. Several grants prioritize inclusivity and participation from marginalized sectors.

Which grant supports national dance collaboration?

ONEDANCEPH 2.0 supports national-scale collaboration, research, and industry engagement.

Are community dance hubs supported?

Yes. Indak Lundayan specifically funds Community Dance Hubs.

Conclusion

The NCCA Dance Grants 2027 provide important opportunities for dance organizations, educators, choreographers, and cultural institutions to strengthen the Philippine dance sector through artistic innovation, education, cultural preservation, and community engagement. The programs encourage inclusive participation, regional collaboration, and sustainable development while promoting Filipino cultural identity through dance.

For more information, visit NCCA.