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Welcome to the Belize Culture Fund 2.0! 

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 each 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 grants are available? 

Safeguarding Living Heritage Grant

Up to $5,000 for transmitting Belize’s living heritage 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.

Cultural Conservation Grant

Up to $5,000 for initiatives to protect and preserve Belize’s cultural and archaeological sites.
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 conservation strategies, and educational programs.

Making Museums Vibrant Grant

Up to $5,000 for enriching the visitor experience and expanding the role of museums.
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.

Children & Youth Arts Education Grant

Up to $5,000 for artistic development and education for children and youth.
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 promoting the growth of the country's cultural industries.

Dynamic Micro-Grants

Up to $2,000 to support existing cultural programs and projects across Belize.
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.

Need more details?

Learn more about our priorities.

Need more details?

We have prepared a more detailed explanation of our priorities and are happy to answer any questions.
Visit FAQ Guide

Help us Shape Belize's Cultural Future

Increasing Reggie's Herbal Production
Digital Archaeology in Benque
Drum and Shaka-making workshop in Dangriga
Cultural Mural in San Antonio, Cayo
Ancestral Veneration Workshop in Unitedville Village
Art in the Park in Punta Gorda
Afterschool Art Classes in Roaring Creek
Urban Sketching in Orange Walk
Drum and Shaka-making workshop in Dangriga
Kungo Bram in Belize City
Shaka-making WWorkshop in Dangriga
Urban Sketching in Belize City

How to apply?

  1. Choose a Funding Priority:

     Review the five grant categories and select the one that best fits your project.

  2. Join the Q&A Webinar: 

    Get advice from NICH Directors on the application process, eligibility, and selection criteria on 13 November 2024

  3. Submit a Project Pitch: 

    Prepare a short video and/or online form outlining your project concept, impact, and relevance.

  4. Submit Your Application: If selected, complete the full application with detailed project plans and budget.

What are the key dates and deadlines?

Launch Date
Wednesday, 6 November 2024.
Q&A Webinar
Get your questions at our upcoming Questions and Answers Zoom Webinar. 13 November 2024.
Register Here.
Project Pitch Deadline
Friday, 22 November 2024.
Pitch Review
NICH will review all applications between 25 November – 6 December 2024.
Phase 1 Results
Letters of Acceptance or Rejection will be issued on or around 9 December 2024.
Full Application Submission
Applicants will have four weeks to complete the full application by 3 January 2025.
Assessment of Phase II Application
6 January - 24 January 2025.
Announcement of Winners
February 2025!
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Ready to apply? 

You can submit your application pitch in either written and/or video format. 

In your video pitch, you should answer the questions listed below:

  1. What is your name/organization?
  2. What is the project about?
  3. What grant are you applying for?
  4. Why are the project objectives?
  5. What similar projects have you completed in the past, if any?
  6. What makes you a suitable candidate?
 Note: If you choose to submit a video, please ensure to abide by the following recommendations. 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.
How to Submit Video
Submit Video Pitch
Submit Written Pitch

Previous Culture Fund Projects

The Urban Sketching traveling workshop concluded on August 24, 2024, followed by the Watercolour Art book launch and tour in September.
Dynamic Grant
Dynamic GrantYaoling Lee
Gloria Cruz led a Summer Program and Afterschool Art classes in Roaring Creek Village, using the funds to purchase equipment and supplies.
Dynamic Grant
Dynamic GrantGloria Cruz
This project led to an Ancestral Veneration Workshop, bringing together traditional medicine practitioners to honor ancestors who contributed to traditional medicine.
Making the Museum experience vibrant
Making the Museum experience vibrantLucia Ellis
Inspire Academy, an ongoing initiative by David Smith, is supported by the BCF to create an innovative space for his art animation school.
Supporting Creatives in Entrepenuership
Supporting Creatives in EntrepenuershipDavid Smith
In July 2024, Wilford Felix led a Kungo Bram workshop where students learned the Kungo Bram drumming technique.
Safeguarding Cultural Living Heritage
Safeguarding Cultural Living HeritageWilford Felix
Photogrammetry workshops were held at Mopan Technical High School and Lower Dover, with the final session scheduled for October 2024 in San Lazaro.
Innovation through Digital Archaeology
Innovation through Digital ArchaeologyAntonio Beardall
In May 2024, the school held two "Art in the Park" events for primary and high school students, sparking interest in the arts among students and families.
Dynamic Grant
Dynamic GrantPeter Claver College
Pablo Cambranes collaborated with youths and stakeholders to create a mural in San Antonio, Cayo, celebrating Belize’s history and culture.
Dynamic Grant
Dynamic GrantPablo Cambranes
Reggie’s Herbal and Tea House, led by Reginal Hamilton, is an ongoing venture. The funding supported equipment purchases to scale his herbal production.
Dynamic Grant
Dynamic GrantReginal Hamilton
The drum and shaka-making workshop, involving over 50 children and youths, concluded on August 2, 2024.
Dynamic Grant
Dynamic GrantEthan Velasquez
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Have more questions?

Visit our FAQ Portal
Download BCF Guide

Email us at: culturefund@nichbelize.org