The Alternative Narratives Creative Collaboration Grants form part of Human-Nature - the British Council Malaysia's programme highlighting creative responses to climate adaptation. The grant invites proposals led by UK and Malaysian artists, creatives, organisations, cultural practitioners, CSOs, researchers, academics and collectives working at the intersection of arts and climate, to collaborate on creative works that reflect on new and alternative climate narratives. 

This opportunity is for individuals or organisations working across disciplinary boundaries to tell stories of Human-Nature relationships in Malaysia and the UK, explore alternative climate narratives, and imagine preferable futures. Proposals that draw on community engagement, storytelling, and collaborative practice are encouraged, particularly those that foreground lived experience from individuals and communities most affected by climate change. Supported projects will result in creative outputs that can be showcased or shared with physical and digital audiences, strengthen international partnerships, and contribute to wider conversations on sustainable and equitable futures.

Apply for a Grant

Applications are now open for three creative collaboration grants, each supporting one project valued at £20,000. Each application must comprise at least one UK partner and one Malaysian partner. The grants support new collaborative work responding to the themes outlined. 

Please read all information for applicants and download the Grant Brief below before submitting a proposal.

Apply by: 11 January 2026, 23:59pm (GMT). 

  • Application deadline: 11 January 2026, 23:59pm (GMT)
  • Selection announcement: February 2026
  • Contracting and first grant payment: March 2026
  • Creative collaboration period: March to 31 October 2026
  • Submission of interim reporting: 31 July 2026
  • Public sharing: November 2026
  • Submission of final reporting and M&E report: 31 December 2026

What can the grants be used for?

  • The collaborative grants support the development of new creative outputs for physical/digital audiences that reflect on new and alternative climate narratives. Projects can be digital, face to face or a hybrid of both.
  • Applications can be new proposals, or the delivery of a new phase / new activity developed from a previous project.
  • The grant should also cover professional fees, travel, accomodation, production / material costs, marketing / communication costs. 

Eligible art forms

  • Artworks across all artforms i.e. film, visual art, literature, music, theatre and dance, craft, creative tech etc., including creative use of archives, cross-disciplinary art projects (e.g., art + science, art + technology).

Who Can Apply?

  • Each application must comprise of at least one UK and one Malaysian partner. Each partner can apply as an organisation, indvidual and/or collective/network and either partner can lead on the proposal. 
  • UK partners are those living/working in the UK during the project duration; Malaysia partners need to be residents of that country during the project duration. 

Examples of possible collaborations: 

  • Artwork that focuses on climate change storytelling – including collaboration with science/academia and technology.
  • Exhibitions, festivals, showcases, performances and screening programmes: Curation of art works that respond to the themes listed above.
  • Residencies: Residency that provides artists the opportunity to create a tangible creative output that can be showcased.
  • Exciting public art and performances that are large-scale, high profile, impactful, and that raise awareness of the climate emergency in cutting-edge ways.
  • Situated projects: arts initiatives and residencies in natural environments and/or urban ones.

Download the application toolkit below for the full eligibility and project criteria.

Grant projects should focus on exploring our past, current, and future Human-Nature narratives.

Relevant projects could explore: 

  • Climate themes 

This includes biodiversity and nature, coastal erosion, land stewardship, climate justice, deforestation, pollution and waste, water rights or other climate-related impact areas addressed by your project.

  • Creative expression & Art Forms 

This includes dance, digital innovation, film, land art, literature / writing, music, publishing, theatre, visual art, architecture and built cultural heritage, intangible cultural heritage, other. 

  •  Sustainability 

This includes decarbonisation, green infrastructure, new technologies, recycling, renewable energy, research and/or mapping, sustainable practices (including artistic), traditional knowledge, other sustainability impact of your project. 

  • Multi-disciplinary Collaboration 

This includes digital technology, science, climate science, traditional knowledge and practices.  

  • International Collaboration 

Impact of the collaboration between UK and partner(s) in region on your institution or organisation in terms of peer exchange and interdisciplinary ways of working, and impact of activities such as residencies and visits.

  •  Working with Communities 

This includes forms of community engagement, community led approaches, and collaboration with NGOs and CSOs that works with communities.

  • Awareness Raising 

This includes public understanding of the climate emergency and biodiversity loss, campaigns and promotion, climate-based artworks, and public engagement events.

Applications must be submitted online: https://britishcouncilarts.grantplatform.com/

  • You will need to create a free account to complete your application.
  • An application must be submitted by one Lead Applicant. The can be either the UK or Malaysian partner. The lead applicant with be the contracting party if successful. The form has collaboration enabled so you will be able to invite your project partner to collaborate on the form.
  • For detailed application guidance download the Grant Brief below.
  • Complete the online application before the deadline: 11 January 2026 (11.59 GMT)
  • If you have any access needs in order to complete the application, please contact us here: https://forms.office.com/e/khEy6wZhQR 

For questions regarding this grant opportunity, or your application or requests for accessibility support to complete your application, please submit enquiries here: 

https://forms.office.com/e/khEy6wZhQR

About Human-Nature

Human-Nature is a collaborative programme aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the human relationship to nature and each other, for a more inclusive and sustainable future. It supports UK and Malaysian arts practitioners, communities, scientists, and academics to exchange knowledge, collaborate, conduct research, and develop creative responses to climate action.

The programme aims to:

  • Help us understand the narratives that have shaped our relationship with Nature and with each other.
  • Foster partnerships between communities, arts practitioners, scientists, and academia to embed arts and creative responses.
  • Support the development of research and insights on collaborative and creative responses for climate adaptation.
  • Elevate local Malaysian voices to share insights, knowledge, and best practices around sustainable and alternative futures.
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