Cultural Investment Programme

Bradford Council's Cultural Investment Programme supports cultural organisations, artists and creative activity that contribute to the district's cultural, social and economic ambitions. Through a range of investment opportunities, the programme aims to strengthen Bradford's cultural ecology, increase access to high-quality cultural experiences, support organisational resilience, and enable communities across the district to engage with culture and creativity.

This page is the central source of information for all Cultural Investment Programme funding opportunities. Details of current and future investment rounds, guidance documents, application forms, key dates and supporting resources will be published here as they become available.

Open Opportunities

Strategic Investment Organisation (SIO) Portfolio 2028-2033

Expression of Interest (EOI) Stage 1

Bradford Council's Strategic Investment Organisation (SIO) Portfolio provides organisational investment to cultural organisations that deliver public benefit across Bradford District. The 2028-2033 programme will provide investment from 1 April 2028 to 31 March 2033.

Before You Apply

This Expression of Interest (EOI) Stage 1 is only for organisations that are intending to apply to both:

• Bradford Council's Strategic Investment Organisation (SIO) Portfolio 2028-2033; and
• Arts Council England's National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) Programme 2028-2033.

The purpose of EOI Stage 1 is to enable Bradford Council to consider your proposal and provide an indicative, conditional and non-binding decision in principle to support your Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation application. An indicative decision is not a funding award and must not be described as confirmed or secured funding.

Do not apply at this stage if:

• You are not intending to apply to Arts Council England's National Portfolio Organisation programme.
• You are not seeking investment from both Bradford Council and Arts Council England.
• You intend to apply only to Bradford Council's Strategic Investment Organisation programme.

Applications that do not meet the purpose of this EOI Stage 1 route will not be assessed.

Organisations wishing to apply only to Bradford Council's Strategic Investment Organisation Portfolio 2028 - 2033 should wait for the open application round, which opens on 11 January 2027. This page will be updated with the relevant guidance and application documents when they become available.

Key dates

The table below sets out key dates:

Guidance and Application Documents

Please read the application guidance document in full before starting your application. You can download the relevant documents below.

• 2028-2033 EOI Stage 1 Application Guidance (PDF)
• 2028-2033 EOI Stage 1 Application Form (Word)

What You Need to Submit

Applicants must submit:

• A completed EOI Stage 1 Application Form;
• The required supporting documents listed in the guidance, including governance and financial information; and
• Any additional information specifically requested within the application form.

All applications and supporting documents must be submitted by email to sio@bradford.gov.uk, and follow the specific labelling instructions provided within the guidance. Applications received after the deadline, or to any other email address, will not be assessed unless Bradford Council has explicitly agreed otherwise in advance.

Need Help?

We encourage organisations to contact us well in advance of the deadline if they have any questions or would like support in understanding the application process.

We can:

• Clarify the guidance, application questions and assessment process.
• Explain how to complete the application form.
• Help with technical issues relating to the application documents.
• Discuss reasonable adjustments and accessibility requirements.

We cannot:

• Write or edit applications.
• Advise what applicants should include in their responses.
• Review draft applications.
• Indicate the likelihood of success or guarantee funding.

For enquiries or support requests, please contact us on sio@bradford.gov.uk before the application deadline.