National Grant Programme For Culture And Creativity: UAE Names 41 Recipients Across Diverse Sectors

The Ministry of Culture has selected 41 recipients under the fourth cycle of the National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity, reflecting stronger support for creatives and the wider cultural movement. Application numbers rose by 77.6 percent compared with previous cycles, signalling growing interest across the creative community.

Applicants were assessed using defined criteria that measured project quality, the experience of the applicant, expected impact on the UAE creative sector, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. The Creativity and Production category drew the highest volume of submissions, confirming strong demand for funding in this area.

This cycle of the National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity covered a broad mix of disciplines, from cultural heritage and writing to visual arts and design. Projects also spanned film and television, performing arts and theatre, music, and video games, showing how the programme engages many creative pathways.

The National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity is positioned as a national platform that helps creators turn ideas into practical cultural projects. Supported initiatives are expected to contribute fresh cultural content, strengthen creative industries, and link artistic output with social and economic value for communities across the UAE.

Mubarak Al Nakhi highlighted the strategic importance of the National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity for the UAE’s cultural ambitions. "The Ministry remains committed to nurturing talents and strengthening their capabilities to reinforce the UAE’s position on the regional and global cultural map," said Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture. "The programme plays a significant role in empowering Emirati creatives by providing a supportive ecosystem for project development and capacity building."

Explaining how the selected projects reflect wider priorities of the National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity, Mubarak Al Nakhi added, "Carefully selected, these diverse projects reflect the profound creative vision of Emiratis. They seamlessly blend heritage with modernity, safeguarding tradition while unlocking new horizons for innovation. We are proud of this generation of creatives."

Support linked to the National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity extends beyond direct financial aid. The Ministry of Culture will promote beneficiaries’ work, integrate them into Ministry initiatives and cultural events, and nominate projects for awards and festivals at local and international levels, reinforcing long-term development of the UAE cultural ecosystem.

With inputs from WAM