Arts and Disability Connect Scheme Round 2

About this scheme

Arts and Disability Connect is an Arts Council funding and professional-development scheme for individual artists with disabilities in the Republic of Ireland, managed on the Arts Council's behalf by Arts & Disability Ireland (ADI), the national development agency for arts and disability. It aims to help disabled artists be ambitious, develop their practice, and connect with arts organisations and professionals, reducing barriers and creating opportunities across artistic disciplines and career stages. It runs in two rounds per year; Round 2 for 2026 opens 10 August and closes 29 September 2026. Applicants apply via the ADI Connect Platform. Support for applicants includes downloadable guidelines, Easy Read materials, FAQs, one-on-one applicant support, and live Q&A information sessions (with live captioning and ISL interpretation provided). The scheme is described as highly competitive, and Arts Council funding for the scheme has increased in recent rounds, expanding the number of awards available.

Who can apply

• Applicant must be an individual artist with a disability, based in the Republic of Ireland
• Applicant must be working professionally or developing a professional artistic practice
• Applicant applies to one of four award strands, each with its own funding cap: Training (€1,000, skills/knowledge development), Mentoring (€3,000, one-to-one guidance and professional growth), Research and Reflection (€5,000, time to think, research, and critically engage with practice), or New Work (up to €15,000, creation and presentation of new work, generally involving a presenting partner)
• Applications are assessed by the Arts Council/ADI and the scheme is noted as highly competitive
• Personal (disability) access costs may be applied for separately, in addition to the award amount

How to apply

1. 1Download and read the guidelines, application forms, Easy Read information, and FAQs from the Arts & Disability Ireland (ADI) website for the relevant award strand(s)
2. 2Optionally book one-on-one applicant support, or join a 'Come Ask Questions' live Q&A session with the ADI team, to get help with your application
3. 3Register/log in to the Arts and Disability Connect Platform via the ADI website
4. 4Complete and submit an application for the chosen strand(s) — Training, Mentoring, Research and Reflection, and/or New Work — before the round's closing date
5. 5Applications are assessed by the Arts Council and ADI; applicants are notified by email whether their application has been successful