Research and Development for Individuals

Research and Development (R&D) for Individuals is a Time limited priority for National Lottery Project Grants. This funding is available while Developing Your Creative Practice is paused until April 2026. The Arts Council England has ring-fenced £7.5 million to invest in projects that allow creative and cultural practitioners to develop their practice. Research and Development projects are typically where a person develops a new idea or explores a new way of working. R&D activities can include developing and testing new ideas, taking up creative residency opportunities in England and internationally, accessing mentoring and shadowing opportunities, having access to production space or workspace, taking up opportunities to 'go see' to guide practice, developing new partnerships and networks, training and professional development opportunities, and exploring working across different sectors. The funding recognizes that an R&D project can have a significant, positive effect on an individual's work, which in turn helps to create a world class cultural sector.