Culture, Wellbeing & Economy Service - 2026/27 Flexible Funding - Diversity & Inclusion Fund Application Form

PROPOSAL CRITERIA 

‘Funding from the Diversity and Inclusion Fund forged a path for the sharing of a powerful intergenerational story through mixed-media art to redress harmful colonial misconceptions. Dedicated time and space to build my installation, Mervella's Shoe, was critical to the sensitive transformation of personal history into public archive for the greater good.’  
Leilani Taneus-Miller; independent creative writer, artist, and researcher. 

We invite applications from diverse artists and creatives with protected characteristics (and organisations) to submit proposals which meet TWO or more of the following criteria: 

1. They recognise the need for greater representation and visibility of work and narratives in the arts, culture and heritage sector developed by artists and creatives with protected characteristics. (ESSENTIAL) 

AND 

2. They support and sustain independent practice. 

3. They have a clear vision for the project, its outcomes and learning; 

4. They present a mutually beneficial partnership / collaborative working model where applicable (collaboration grants only). 

5. They commit to continuing and /or increasing engagement with groups and communities often underrepresented in the arts and culture sector; 

6. They explain how this project is relevant to Edinburgh’s cultural tapestry; 

7. They consider how the project creates further opportunities for development and / or engagement. 

FUNDING PRIORITIES 

Individuals wishing to apply for a grant from the Diversity and Inclusion Fund must be able to demonstrate how their project meets TWO or more of the following funding priorities: 

1. Meaningful artist/practitioner lead involvement and direction in project development and delivery; 

2. Imaginative and/or experimental creative concept; 

3. Use and promotion of languages as a means of expressing one’s cultural background; 

4. Use of multi art forms within projects; 

5. Planned demonstrable learning and / or impact from the project activity; 

6. Consideration for multiple characteristics and identities often underrepresented in the arts and culture sector. 

FUNDING CRITERIA 

We will be assessing the likely impact of the proposed activity on greater visibility and representation of diverse arts and culture and potential reach of outlined cultural activity across the city. 

Our focus will be on what major difference this funding will make to the independent artist and their project (i.e. what wouldn’t happen without this support) at the proposed stage of its development and delivery.  

Please note that all project facilitators, artists, creatives, managers involved in the project delivery are expected to be remunerated as per industry rates. Please consider and refer to the relevant industry rates recommended by Creatives Industries Bodies in your project budget.  

Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union's (Bectu's) Rate Cards  

Independent Theatre Council (ITC) Rates of Pay  

Scottish Society of Playwrights | UK Theatre Writers' Guild 

Musicians Union | DJ Hire Rates 

The Society of Authors 

Visual Artists (Paying Artists) | Exhibition Payment Guide  

Theatre Choreographers, Designers & Directors | Opera & Dance | Performers & Stage Management  

Videographer Rates  

Only in special circumstances when project partners declare that they do not require to be paid for their work and their contribution towards the project delivery is in-kind they can be involved on a no-fee basis. 

Applicants should apply for the exact amount needed for their project and will not automatically be awarded the full amount of their application submission. The awards panel reserves the right to award an amount different to the amount quoted in the application. 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE 

The deadline for applications is Monday 2nd November 2026 (23:59 GMT). Late applications will not be accepted. 

MAKING YOUR APPLICATION 

WHO CAN APPLY? 

• Projects must be submitted by lead artist / creatives with protected characteristics and take place within the City of Edinburgh boundary with Edinburgh-based partners. 

• Partnership working is a City and Culture Plan funding priority therefore applicants will be expected to place an emphasis on this in any submission. This can be both in cash and/or in kind. 

• Independent artists and creatives registered as self-employed or sole traders are eligible to apply individually for £1,000 musician stipend and for £2,500 bursaries and in partnership with other independent practitioners for awards of up to £5,000. The lead artists will be asked to provide their UTR number confirming their self-employment status. 

• Only one application per project idea can be considered. 

• Those in receipt of the Diversity and Inclusion 2025/26 are eligible to apply as long as they present, or are part of, a new partnership/project for consideration.  

Applications cannot be considered: 

• for projects already started or planned to start before the decision is made, unless it is the next stage of a previously completed phase of work; 

• if received after the deadline date; and 

• unless there is a suitable management/governance structure in place. 

Funding cannot support: 

• Revenue costs or permanent posts; 

• Capital projects; 

• International travel or accommodation costs; 

• Projects which primarily take place outside Edinburgh. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY 

Before starting your application using the online form, it is recommended that you prepare your answers.  We have provided a PDF Version of the Application Form, as well as the Application Guidelines, and the Budget Spreadsheet for this purpose. Links to the Council's Culture Plan, Business Plan and Privacy Notice are also available in the Related documents section. 

APPLICATION PROCESS AND AWARDS PANEL 

Submitted application forms will be acknowledged via email. Applications will be considered by members of the awards panel, comprising of specialist independent advisors. All project proposals will be reviewed regarding the outlined creative concept, envisaged learning/impact and budget planning.   

The panel will meet within 2 weeks of the fund deadline, and you will be informed by email of the outcome no more than 4 weeks following the deadline. 

AWARDS RECIPIENTS 

You will be advised by w/c 23 November 2026 if your application has been successful by email.  Funding payments to successful applicants will to be made within 4 weeks from the date of notification of a successful funding application. 

Please note that the funding award for successful applications will be issued in one payment (100%) on receipt of a signed funding agreement.  You will be required to submit for approval, a project report on completion of project. 

MONITORING AND REPORTING 

If successful, the project partners will be notified of the award recommendation for their acknowledgement. The funding award agreement reflecting the project proposal and any potential adjustment will be signed and the award release within 4 weeks from the date of the award notification. 

The awardees will be expected to develop the project as indicated in their funding agreement and should any circumstances change, advise the Grant Officer of any major adjustments. All awardees are also expected to submit one final project delivery report as part of the terms and conditions of the funding award. The delivery report template will be sent along with the funding agreement. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS 

Once you have submitted your application form, please complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. 

If you require this application in Braille, large print, audiotape or need to be provided with other access support such as scribing, please contact the Cultural Development team by email at culturaldevelopment@edinburgh.gov.uk. 

PRIVACY NOTICE 

To deliver Council services we need to collect, store, use, share and dispose of personal information. This is known as data processing. When we collect personal data, we must tell you why we need it, and what we will do with it. This information is called a privacy notice. The Privacy Notice link takes you directly to the City of Edinburgh Council’s privacy notice.  Here we explain how we process your personal information as a Council.