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  6. National Events Funding Programme

National Events Funding Programme

3 minute read • Last published: 25 February 2025

The National Events Programme is one of EventScotland's core funding programmes. The fund supports the strategic development of live public-facing sporting and cultural events in line with the aims of the National Events Strategy, Scotland the Perfect Stage. 

Eligible events take place outwith the local authority areas of Edinburgh and Glasgow and can demonstrate their role in showcasing regions and driving domestic tourism around Scotland.

In this article:

  • About the National Events Funding programme
  • Assessment criteria
  • How to apply
  • Other funding routes

About the National Events Funding programme

EventScotland logo

EventScotland

The National Events Programme is delivered by EventScotland and is at the core of EventScotland’s work and is open in rounds, with application deadlines set each year. 

Awards of between £5,000 and £25,000 are available to eligible events. 

The fund is designed to: 

  • support the strategic development of events in Scotland 
  • support live public facing sporting and cultural events 
  • support innovative new projects and activity at events that meet the programme criteria 
  • support events that deliver for the National Events Strategy, Scotland The Perfect Stage

Next funding deadline

The National Events Funding Programme operates in “rounds”. There are approximately three funding rounds per year, each with a budget allocated to support events in Scotland. The rounds open for a set period of time and offer funding to events taking place over specific dates. Deadlines and further information will be published on this site as well as via EventScotland’s social media and e-news. 

Follow @EventScotNews on Twitter. 

Follow EventScotland on LinkedIn. 

Sign up to EventScotland’s e-news mailing list.

Round 53 of the National Funding Programme closed at 12 noon on Monday 17 February 2025. 
Round 53 covers events taking place between Thursday 1 May and Friday 31 October 2025.

Awarding of funding

Male competitor in Highland Games

Competitor at the Braemar Gathering

© VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

The minimum award is £5,000 and the maximum award is £25,000. The funding requested must not exceed 25% of the overall event income. This means your event income should be no less than £20,000, if applying for the minimum award value. 

Events can be supported a maximum of three times with National Events Programme funding. 

Eligible events are assessed on the impact areas as well as their viability including event management experience and sound financial planning. 

Assessment criteria

Events looking to apply to the National Events Funding Programme must: 

  • Identify relevant strategic development activity for funding support

  • Take place in Scotland and outside the local authority areas of Edinburgh and Glasgow

  • Drive domestic tourism within Scotland i.e. encourage residents of Scotland to travel and attend your event

  • Align with the five impact areas:

    • economic – tourism and business
    • brand, identity and reputation
    • media and profile
    • social and cultural and environmental sustainability

    The ability of events to deliver against these event impacts determines the support EventScotland can offer. 

  • Have delivery budgets of more than £20,000

  • Attract in total over 1,000 in-person attendees

  • Showcase Scotland’s key event and tourism assets: 

    • our people 
    • our cultural identity and heritage 
    • our natural environment 
    • our built facilities 
    • our signature events 
    • our academic and sectoral credentials

  • Create positive impacts for the host region and/or Scotland as a whole

How to apply

  • Read the guidance

    Applicants should read the programme criteria and guidelines and consider whether their event may be eligible for support through this programme. 

    Download National Events Funding Programme criteria and guidelines. | PDF 2.5MB

  • Submit an enquiry

    Before submitting a funding application, potential applicants must submit a funding enquiry. 

    A member of the EventScotland team will share further details on the application process after review of an enquiry. 

    Submit a funding enquiry.

  • Submit your application

    Once EventScotland has reviewed your enquiry and confirmed that your event is eligible to apply for funding, applicants will be sent a link and further details on how to apply online. 

    Applicants should aim to submit enquiries as early as possible to allow time to complete the online application process before the deadline. 

    Please note that there is no guarantee of funding after completion of the application process. Outcomes will be shared with applicants in due course and usually within 40 working days from the advertised deadline for each round.

Other funding routes

Visit International Events Funding Programme for more information on EventScotland’s other core fund. This fund applies to events that deliver significant economic impact, international visits and profile to Scotland. 

As well as EventScotland, there are other potential public funding opportunities for events in Scotland.

Find out more about events funding opportunities.

Related Pages

Funding opportunities for events

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International Events Funding Programme

Find out more about whether your event is eligible and how to apply for funding through EventScotland's International Events Funding Programme.
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Planning a new event

Find out more about the steps you need to take to set up an event.
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Marketing opportunities through VisitScotland

Find out more about what opportunities are available to events through VisitScotland and EventScotland.
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