The Open Fund for Individuals is one of Creative Scotland’s key funding programmes, supporting the wide range of activity initiated by artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland. The overall annual budget for this fund is £5 million.
In this video, members of staff from across Creative Scotland tell you more about the Open Fund for Individuals, from when you're thinking about applying, right through to receiving your funding.
The Open Fund will support a period of research, development and/or delivery of creative activity for up to 24 months. We will ask you to tell us the start and end date for this activity and to describe the outcomes, benefits and impacts that you wish to achieve.
This fund is designed to support creative activity such as a specific project, production or a period of research and development. It can support an individual’s time where this is related to specific creative outcomes.
Freelance and self-employed artists and creative practitioners living in Scotland who are at least 18 years old.
You must have a UK bank account in your name.
If you are not a self-employed individual or a sole-trader then you are not eligible to make an application to the Open Fund for Individuals. You should look at the other funding programmes run by Creative Scotland or partners, including the National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations.
You can apply for between £500 and £100,000.
There are no deadlines for this fund – you can apply year-round.
Applications will hear an outcome within 8 weeks.
Applications will hear an outcome within 12 weeks.
Please note that these timelines are impacted by Christmas public holidays for applications received between October and December. See Page 6 in the Guidance for Applicants for more details.
Read the guidance for full information, including the fund’s eligibility criteria and priorities, read the FAQs, and watch our application walkthrough.
Once you're ready, you can apply online using our online application portal.
If you have any questions or concerns, for example, about an impact on project dates, our Enquiries Team are here to help - enquiries@creativescotland.com
Creative Scotland is committed to offering clear and accessible application processes and programmes that are open to everyone. We have a number of ways we can support you to make your application.