The Hugo Burge Foundation has opened its 2026 grant programme, with £300,000 available across three funding streams supporting creative education, community arts, and individual practitioners across the United Kingdom. Applications close 31 July 2026.
About the Hugo Burge Foundation
The Hugo Burge Foundation is a Scottish arts funding body based at Marchmont Estate in the Scottish Borders. In 2025 — its first full year — the Foundation distributed £400,000 in grant funding to individuals, communities and organisations across the UK.
The Foundation’s grant programme is built around three core areas: Creative Education, Creative Communities, and Creative Individuals. Its stated aim is to keep the application process non-restrictive, flexible, and accessible.
How Much Funding Is Available
The 2026 programme has £300,000 in total grant funding, split across three streams:
- Creative Education — £100,000 available, with a maximum award of £15,000
- Creative Communities — £150,000 available, with a maximum award of £15,000
- Creative Individuals — £50,000 available, with a maximum award of £5,000
For Education and Communities applications requesting more than £10,000, a minimum of 30% of the total project budget must come from alternate funding sources. For requests of £10,000 and under, the Foundation can fund the whole project.
A limited number of multi-year grants are available, providing funding for a maximum of three years.
There is also a separate access support fund of £7,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis. This fund pays for access support workers (up to £300 per day) for applicants who may face barriers applying without assistance — including Deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent applicants. No proof of need is required.
What the Hugo Burge Foundation Supports
Creative Education supports opportunities for young people aged 0–29 to build creative knowledge and skills. Eligible applicants include schools, local authorities, community groups, charities, museum and gallery spaces, educational institutions, and arts organisations.
Creative Communities supports a wide range of organisations — including festivals, charities, arts organisations, and community groups — to develop and deliver cultural or creative initiatives in their local areas.
Creative Individuals is open to practitioners in all creative disciplines across the UK who are seeking support for the development of an artistic project or practice.
Who Is Eligible
Eligibility varies by stream, but broadly the programme is open to:
- Organisations across the UK working in the creative and cultural sector, including charities, community groups, arts organisations, local authorities, and educational institutions (Creative Education and Creative Communities)
- Individual creative practitioners based anywhere in the UK (Creative Individuals)
How to Apply
Applications are submitted via Submittable. Draft application forms for each stream are available to preview ahead of the deadline:
- Creative Education Draft Application Form
- Creative Communities Draft Application Form
- Creative Individuals Draft Application Form
A recording of the Grants Q&A from 2 June 2026 is also available, along with a 2026 Grant Information Packet.
The Foundation asks that applicants and organisations do not email enquiries about funding specifics or eligibility directly — further guidance is available via the materials linked above.
Funding Timeline
- Application deadline: 31 July 2026
- Apply via: hugoburgefoundation.submittable.com/submit
