The British Council has opened the 2026 funding round for its Cultural Protection Fund, inviting eligible organisations to apply for grants of up to £500,000 to protect cultural heritage at risk from conflict and climate change in 17 countries, including Bangladesh.

Now in its tenth year, the Cultural Protection Fund has supported projects in Bangladesh that empower communities and safeguard heritage connected to history, identity and social cohesion.

Recent projects in Bangladesh include work at the Varendra Research Museum to modernise collections care and celebrate local history. The initiative provided comprehensive training in collections management and oral tradition safeguarding for the museum’s entire staff, helping build local capacity to protect irreplaceable artefacts.

Stephen Forbes, British Council Country Director Bangladesh, said, “We at the British Council are so pleased with what has already been achieved by Bangladesh and UK partners with the support of the Cultural Protection Fund. Our latest funding round marks a renewed commitment to safeguard endangered heritage by empowering the communities who live alongside it. With grants of up to £500,000 now available, we are supporting vital new work that enables local practitioners to sharpen their expertise, forge international networks, and spearhead the future of cultural protection in our communities.”

Expressions of Interest for the Cultural Protection Fund will close on Monday, 20 July 2026, at 11:59pm Bangladesh time. Applicants have been advised to consult the official 2026 application guidance and comprehensive frequently asked questions, available on the Cultural Protection Fund website, before submission.

To help regional applicants understand the application criteria and develop competitive proposals, the British Council will host an online information session today, 1 July 2026, from 10am to 11am Bangladesh time.

Projects must protect cultural heritage at risk in one or more of the following countries: Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Organisations can apply for grants of up to £500,000. Full application guidelines and links to apply are available on the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund website.