What is the Belize Culture Fund (BCF)?
The Belize Culture Fund (BCF) is a small-grants programme administered by the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) under the Ministry of Education, Culture Science, and Technology.
The BCF will fund 4 projects for up to $5,000 and 5 projects for up to $2,000 to support Belize’s cultural heritage and creative growth. Explore our funding opportunities below, designed to support community-driven projects and solutions that strengthen Belize’s cultural landscape.
What are priority areas?
Safeguarding Living Heritage Grant:
Belize’s living heritage, including oral traditions, social practices, rituals, festive events, and ancestral knowledge, faces the risk of not being passed on to future generations. We seek to fund one project for up to $5,000.00 aiming to carry out workshops, mentorships, or an after-school programmes whose objectives aim to transmit Belize’s living heritage to future generations, especially young Belizeans. We encourage applicants to include elders or the experts of the tradition in the planning and transmission programs.
Cultural Conservation Initiatives:
The Institute of Archaeology is dedicated to the research, protection, preservation, and sustainable management of Belize’s cultural and archaeological resources. We seek to fund one project for up to $5,000.00 that will focus on protecting and preserving cultural sites in Belize. Eligible activities include promoting cultural artworks and architecture, conducting digital archaeology and innovative research, implementing preventive conservation strategies, and offering educational programs like training sessions, lectures, and workshops. Applicants are encouraged to enhance conservation efforts and build partnerships, with an emphasis on promoting archaeological conservation, education, economic activity and support community building.
Making Museums Vibrant Grant:
Belize’s community-based museums play a vital role in preserving and showcasing the country’s rich culture. We are offering up to $5,000 in funding for initiatives that enhance the museum experience through conservation, marketing, digitization, small infrastructural upgrades, and now, the development of curatorial research and exhibition design. This grant seeks to support projects that enrich visitor engagement, foster innovative exhibition practices, and contribute to the evolving role of museums in education, culture, and the arts.
Children and Youth Arts Education Grant:
The Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) is committed to fostering creativity and cultural awareness among young Belizeans. We seek to fund one project for up to $5,000.00 that will engage children and youth in artistic development and education, supporting the next generation of Belizean artists and the sustainable growth of the country’s cultural industries. We seek proposals for after-school or summer programs across various creative disciplines (e.g., visual arts, music, dance, drama, literary arts, audio-visual arts), workshops, or apprenticeships. Proposals for rural communities with limited access to artistic opportunities are encouraged.
Dynamic Grants
We aim to fund five (5) projects of up to $2,000.00 in any area not listed as an institute priority in this round of applications. This micro-grant is expected to assist with existing programs or projects with co-funding.
Who can apply?
Belizean individuals and non-government and non-profit organisations are invited to apply to the Belize Culture Fund. An individual and organisation may only submit one application in each funding cycle.
Individual citizens that are eligible:
- musician
- singer
- researcher
- publisher
- author
- craft person
- filmmaker
- designer
- promoter
- artist
- curators
- interior/exhibition designers
Organizations that are eligible:
- national cultural organisations
- community-based cultural organizations
- art galleries
- community museums
- creative industry
- associations
- recording studios
- film production companies
- promotion companies
The above lists are not exhaustive. Any Belizean individual or organisation who demonstrates the ability to execute a project aligned with our priority areas is encouraged to apply.
How to apply?
Choose a Funding Priority:
Review the five grant categories and select the one that best fits your project.
Submit a Project Pitch:
Prepare a short video and/or online form outlining your project concept, impact, and relevance.
Join the Q&A Webinar:
Get advice from NICH Directors on the application process, eligibility, and selection criteria on 13 November 2024.
Submit Your Application: If selected, complete the full application with detailed project plans and budget.
What to include in your video pitch?
The video must be between 5 to 8 minutes, no less than 480p in resolution and recorded in an environment in which the speaker is clearly visible and audible. Answer the questions below.
- What is your name/organization?
- What is the project about?
- What grant are you applying for?
- Why are the project objectives?
- What similar projects have you completed in the past, if any?
- What makes you a suitable candidate?
We are accepting submission via WeTranfer. Click the “Submit” button and if you are not familiar with WeTranfer, click “Guide” button for a Tutorial. For frequently asked questions click the “FAQs” button.
What are the terms of the grant?
Applying for this grant does not guarantee selection. All applications will be reviewed based on the established criteria. Applicants will be notified of their status following the review process.
The terms for successful applicants include but are not limited to the following:
- Contract Agreement: Project implementer(s) must sign a contract committing to the responsible execution of the project within a timeframe of six to eight months.
- Co-Funding Requirement: Projects requesting partial funding must provide proof of co-funding and/or external funding sources.
- Monitoring by NICH: Projects funded will be subject to monitoring by a representative from the National Institute of Culture and History.
- Acknowledgment of Funding: Projects must acknowledge and mention the funding received from the National Institute of Culture and History in all communication, marketing, promotional activities, and associated products.
- Non-Guarantee of Subsequent Funding: Funding for selected projects does not imply or guarantee future funding in subsequent cycles.
- End of Project Report: Awardees are required to submit an End of Project Report, detailing outcomes, achievements, and financial transactions. Receipts and cash vouchers related to the project expenses should also be included.
Grantees must adhere to these conditions to ensure effective project implementation and reporting.
How many grants will be funded?
The BCF will provide 9 grants in total. There are five types of grants available and we expect to award 9 grants:
- One (1) Safeguarding Belize’s Living Heritage Grant for a maximum of $5,000
- One (1) Children and Youth Arts Education Grant for a maximum of $5,000
- One (1) Cultural Conservation Initiatives Grant for a maximum of $5,000
- One (1) Making Museums Vibrant for a maximum of $5,000
- Five (5) Dynamic Micro Grants for a maximum of $2,000
What types of cultural initiatives does the Belize Culture Fund support?
The BCF supports a wide range of cultural initiatives, including but not limited to visual arts, performing arts, literature, traditional crafts, cultural festivals, archaeological and heritage preservation projects.
How many grants can an individual/organization apply for?
Individuals or organizations can only apply for one grant per cycle.
Should applicants show their faces in the video application?
Applicants are not required to show their faces in the video pitch. Applicants may choose to use images with a voice over or can choose to submit the written application if that is a better option.
Can collaborations be made to apply for the grant?
Yes, collaborative projects are welcomed. Applicants must ensure to provide the names of the collaborators in their video pitch or written application.
When should the projects be implemented?
The projects should be implemented within the 8-month implementation period, beginning from 1 March 2025 – 31 October 2025.
When will the next cycle of grants be announced?
The next cycle of grants will be announced in November 2025.
How can I stay informed about the Belize Culture Fund?
Stay informed by visiting the official website of the National Institute of Culture and History. You can also subscribe to newsletters and follow the NICH Belize social media channels for updates on funded projects, events, and opportunities to get involved.
When will the winners be announced?
The winners of the November 2024 cycle will be announced in February 2025.
Can I apply to future cycles if I am not selected?
Yes, we encourage applicants to re-apply to the fund and to pay attention to the application requirements and priorities as these are subject to change.
How to submit a video pitch?
Ready to apply?
Please visit the Belize Culture Fund Portal to complete your application.