The Ministry of Culture has launched the fifth cycle of the National Grants Program for Culture and Creativity, one of the leading national initiatives aimed at supporting Emirati creators and enabling them to develop their cultural and creative projects. This aims to stimulate cultural production and enhance the growth of cultural and creative industries in the United Arab Emirates, reinforcing its position as a regional and global hub for cultural creativity. The launch of the new cycle is part of the ministry's continuous efforts to foster a nurturing environment for national talents and provide quality opportunities for creators to transform their creative ideas into tangible projects with cultural and social impact. According to the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Mubarak Al Naqbi, "The National Grants Program for Culture and Creativity embodies the ministry's ongoing commitment to supporting creators and empowering them to continue their cultural and artistic contributions, based on our belief that culture is a cornerstone of comprehensive development and a bridge that connects national identity with civilizational openness." He added that the ministry works through this program to provide real opportunities for Emirati creators to develop their quality projects and turn their cultural ideas and initiatives into tangible works capable of enriching the cultural landscape in the country. The ministry also seeks to support the national creative potential and enhance the presence of their cultural output at both local and international levels, in line with its aspirations to build a creative economy based on knowledge and innovation. Al Naqbi confirmed that the ministry continues to develop its programs and initiatives to strengthen the ecosystem of cultural and creative industries in the country and open wider horizons for national talents to contribute to shaping the cultural scene and producing creative content that reflects the uniqueness of the Emirati identity and its authentic values. The National Grants Program for Culture and Creativity is one of the most prominent government initiatives supporting cultural production in the country, as it provides a comprehensive framework for supporting creators through four main categories: Creativity and Production, Distribution and Local Participation, Skills Development, and International Travel and Mobility. These categories cover fields such as authoring and publishing, music, film and television, performing arts and theater, visual arts and design, video games, and cultural heritage. Applications for the fifth cycle are open until June 26. Since its launch, the program has seen increasing interest, reflecting the creators' trust in its supportive role. In the first cycle, 26 creators benefited from the grants to support their projects in various cultural fields, with the number of beneficiaries rising to 43 in the second cycle and reaching 44 in the third. In December 2025, the ministry announced 41 beneficiaries for the fourth cycle, which saw a notable 77.6% increase in the number of applications compared to previous cycles. Comprehensive Support The Ministry of Culture provides the beneficiaries of the National Grants Program for Culture and Creativity with comprehensive support opportunities to develop their creative projects, enabling them to implement their cultural works and providing opportunities to participate in various cultural events and platforms, in addition to supporting their presence at festivals and specialized meetings, which enhances the chances of spreading their works and increasing their impact on the cultural scene. Mubarak Al Naqbi: "The program opens wider horizons for national talents to contribute to shaping the cultural scene and producing creative content that reflects the uniqueness of the Emirati identity and its authentic values."
