SOUND UP Prime: Russian premieres of Jonny Greenwood and Mica Levi aka Michachu. December 13, 2019. Photographer: Artem Vindrievsky 

Deadline: 31 October 2020

The Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow launches the closed grants scheme for participants of the Future Culture programme in 2017-2020. The aim of the grants scheme is to support online and offline cultural projects initiated as a result of your previous Future Culture involvement.

Future Culture programme 2017-2020 included:

  • Russian delegations to key industry events in the UK such as the ABO Music Conference, Celtic Connections, Design Connections, Edinburgh International Festival, The Great Escape, London Fashion Week, REMIX, Sheffield DocFest, Unlimited Festival, etc.;
  • UK study tours for Russian cultural leaders in the fields of visual arts, literature and publishing, music, architecture and design
  • Leadership in Culture in XX century programme in partnership with King’s College London;
  • Individual bursaries for professional development in the UK;
  • Workshops in Russian regions including, Cultural Skills Academy and Museum Leadership School in partnership with Vladimir Potanin Foundation; workshops on urban development in partnership with Create London and Strelka Institute for Media; Architecture and Design, grant scheme for regional cultural institutions, and other activities. 

The aim of the programme is to support the continued development of international online and offline projects initiated by the applicants as a result of their previous engagement in Future Culture activities.

We are looking for:

  • Showcases across the art forms: festivals, theatre performances, concerts, exhibitions
  • Educational events: conferences, seminars, public talks, residencies
  • Creating a new piece of work: book publication, film or music release (copyright on new work created will not be owned by the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow)
  • Mobile apps, educational websites, and platforms that promote contemporary UK art

Projects can be organised online and/or offline but may be subject to continually changing international travel restrictions/quarantine and Russian national and city-level policy relating to COVID-19 including guidelines for events, physical distancing, etc. 

  • Your project is a result of your previous Future Culture involvement, it is inspired by your collaboration with UK experts, travel to the UK, the attendance of  seminars, conferences or festivals;
  • There is a strong UK component in the programme and you have a trusted UK partner in place;
  • Your project has a strong cultural impact on the Russian professional community and it will aim to raise interest among the wider audience.

  • The application should cover your professional background and previous Future Culture involvement, describe the nature of the project you would like to develop, detail the UK partner involved, and contain an implementation plan including timeline and budget
  • Successful applicants will receive a grant of £5,000 (in Russian rubles, using the internal exchange rate for the date of the grant agreement, before taxation, see below) 
  • Please complete the application form at the bottom of the page and send it to creativebridge@britishcouncil.org by 31 October 2020. 
  • Email subject line should say: FC_alumni_grant_your name and surname

  • Successful applicants will need to confirm a UK partner and present a detailed, adjusted project plan and budget before signing a grant agreement with The Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow
  • If the project cannot be implemented offline due to external reasons beyond the applicant’s control, the applicant will endeavor to deliver the project online within the same budget. The Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow can not cover any of the applicant’s losses related to the cancellation of any offline activities and the applicant assumes responsibility for any such related risks (such as expenses of UK experts’ visits – tickets, hotel, visa, etc.)
  • You can only apply if you are registered as a legal body (on behalf of the organization or as a sole trader) in Russia. By submitting an application, you confirm that you can accept a grant from the British Embassy (non-resident), make agreements with foreign organisations and individuals, process bank payments and provide supporting documents 
  • Grant agreements will be signed between the successful applicant and The Cultural and Education Section of the British embassy in Moscow.
  • Money will be transferred to the applicant’s bank account in rubles using the internal exchange rate for the date of the grant agreement signing
  • Applicants are fully responsible for the payment of any applicable taxes
  • The applicant is fully responsible for all stages of the project’s implementation, including communication with UK partners and third parties, planning, audience engagement, payment processing, and reporting 
  • The Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow does not assist with suggesting or securing UK partners, making payments within the project, providing visas, or issuing visa support letters
  • The grant recipient should deliver the project and present a full report to the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow by 28 February 2021 
  • The reporting stage must include detailed financial and descriptive reports and a completed evaluation form
  • The descriptive report must include: quantitative and qualitative audience analysis, links to media publications, photos and videos (if any) of the activity, feedback from the engaged UK and Russian partners as well as audience members, a descriptive summary of the key project outcomes, correct logo placement of the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow (on all project-related materials)
  • The financial report must include project-related supporting documents: agreements with individuals and organisations (Russian and UK-based), payment documents (bank statements, payment orders, credit card reports (corporate cards – for organisations, personal cards – for individuals), invoices, acts of acceptance, facturas, itinerary receipts, delivery slips, e-tickets. We do not accept cash payments, only bank transfers
  • If the applicant does not spend the whole grant amount, any remaining monies should be returned to the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow by bank transfer in Russian roubles by 31 March 2021 

Timing and deadlines:

  • 31 October 2020 – deadline for application submission
  • 9 November 2020 – selection and interviews
  • 16 November 2020 – successful applicants provide adjusted project plan and budget, confirm UK partner
  • 30 November 2020 – contract signing and payment processing
  • 28 February 2021 – project implementation, submitting descriptive and financial reports, grant closure, completion of evaluation forms

The Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Moscow will conduct the selection process in line with equality and diversity policies.
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