ACNI Small Capital Grants Programme in the United Kingdom

The Arts Council has designed this programme to enable organisations to purchase equipment and/or carry out minor works to their premises which will provide opportunities to upgrade equipment and carry out necessary works to ensure they maintain a presence in the arts sector.

We want to support organisations across Northern Ireland to maintain their creative spaces, addressing any issues that may hinder the work to take place. We want to ensure that organisations have the necessary equipment in place to welcome their staff, artists, and audiences. We also want to support organisations in their delivery of the arts.

The scheme aims to provide grants which will help to:

1. Maintain/improve the quality of artistic activities delivered
2. improve the accessibility of the arts;
3. improve the environment for the arts sector;
4. enhance or broaden the audience/participants’ experience.

You should only apply to this programme if you will be able to complete the procurement, purchase, and delivery of your requested items of equipment from the notification of award (anticipated October 2025) and at the latest 31 March 2026. It is important that you consider delivery periods for your requested items of equipment, ie the time it takes between placing an order to receipt of equipment, to ensure delivery can take place by 31 March 2026.

Similarly, if you are applying for minor works costs, all work must take place and be completed from the notification of award and at the latest 31 March 2026.

Eligible expenditure can only be incurred within this timeframe. If you are unable to meet these conditions, you should NOT apply to this scheme as the Arts Council will not meet any costs incurred outside this period.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: August 28, 2025
2. Category: Grants
3. Opportunity Locations: United Kingdom
4. Eligible Locations: United Kingdom
5. Sponsor Organisation: Arts Council of Northern Ireland

Eligibility Criteria for ACNI Small Capital Grants Programme in the United Kingdom

Who can apply?

The Arts Council welcomes applications from the widest possible range of organizations and, in particular from applicants whose projects benefit individuals categorized under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. In addition, in order to be eligible to apply to this programme, please note the following:

1. You do not have to be primarily an arts organization (for example, community groups may apply to the scheme); however, the purpose of the requested equipment and/or minor works must be clearly focused on the arts.
2. Local authorities are eligible to apply, but they are a low priority.
3. Registered charities and other fully constituted organizations that cannot distribute a profit are eligible to apply.
4. Commercial organizations can only apply for support if the equipment and/or minor works is primarily for the benefit of the public rather than their own commercial interests.
5. If your organization has a limited membership, you must show that the equipment and/or minor works will benefit the wider public.
6. Groups of organizations (consortia) working together to deliver specific projects may apply.

Who Cannot Apply?

1. Individuals or sole traders
2. Broadcasters (excluding community service broadcasters)
3. Central Government Departments
4. Bands seeking musical instruments (the Arts Council has a separate Musical Instruments for Bands programme)
5. Schools, Colleges, and Universities
6. Organizations that are in breach of the terms of previous ACNI grant awards.

What you cannot apply for

Second-hand equipment without a warranty/guarantee

1. Equipment service costs
2. Subscription costs to include broadband
3. Musical instruments
4. Sheet music
5. Mobile phones
6. Consumables

Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you have any queries about the eligibility of a proposal, you should contact and speak with the relevant art form officer before submitting an application.

Benefits of ACNI Small Capital Grants Programme in the United Kingdom

What you can apply for

You can apply for any equipment and/or minor works to help adapt your venue or working practice. This could be, but is not limited to, the following:

1. New equipment/structures to enhance accessibility/delivery
2. Accessibility equipment and minor works
3. Creation of safe spaces
4. IT equipment to assist/improve arts delivery*
5. Software (pre-loaded operating systems and packages only)
6. Works in relation to upgrading and maintaining existing systems
7. Transport

* The following maximum contributions towards these particular items of IT equipment should be noted. Contributions above these limits will only be made in exceptional circumstances, where the applicant has presented a strong rationale justifying additional costs per item:

1. Tablet Computers: £500
2. Laptops/PCs: £1,200.

How to Apply

You must apply using their online system. They will not accept applications in hard copy or by email. Click on the link to the application website to apply.

Online applications may be edited, saved, and returned up to the closing date.

You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, i.e. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the attachments page within the online application and in the program guidance notes.

Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system, as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches, and the system will shut down at 12pm precisely on the closing date, Thursday, 28 August 2025. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.

If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that they receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

View details of ACNI Small Capital Grants Programme

Apply for ACNI Small Capital Grants Programme

Application Deadline

28 August, 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for ACNI Small Capital Grants Programme in the United Kingdom