The National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations aims to support organisations who seek funding to undertake creative activity such as a specific project or production, a programme of creative work, or a period of research and development.

The fund can also support business change and development projects, such as those that make the organisation more financially sustainable or focus on broader organisational development.

The fund will be assessed against six key criteria:

1. Quality and Ambition
2. Engagement
3. Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion
4. Environmental Sustainability
5. Fair Work
6. International

For full details, see the Fund guidelines available on the Creative Scotland website.

Eligible organisations can apply for funding between £1k and £100k for projects or programmes lasting up to 18 months.

If you are seeking more than £100k and 18 months support refer to the National Lottery Extended Programme Fund.

Who can apply

Any type of constituted artistic, creative or cultural organisation based in Scotland can apply.

When to apply

There are no deadlines and applications can be submitted at any time. Applicants will receive a decision on their application:

• within 10 working weeks of submission (if applying for under £20k)
• within 14 working weeks of submission (if applying for between £20k – £100k)

How to apply

Apply online via the Creative Scotland portal.

Exclusions

• Start-up business costs for new companies, and/or ongoing running costs at profit distributing companies
• Film, screen or TV industry projects or activity
• Activity which is related to academic studies in Further or Higher Education
• General arts or creative activities in schools
• Publishing activities that support academic, journalistic or reference work
• Large scale building work or feasibility studies for building projects
• Funding solely for equipment

See the fund guidelines for full details.