Bòrd na Gàidhlig

Community Grants Scheme 2025-27

Posted on 21/11/2024

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has announced and re-opened its Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd (Community Grants) Scheme, offering extended funding opportunities to Gaelic projects in communities. Support is available for projects for up to two years, and for the first time support is being provided to projects between Gaelic and Irish speakers through this scheme as part of the Colmcille initiative.

Support of up to £10,000 (£5,000 per year) is available to community groups and organisations running projects which support:

Gaelic events in your community and online
Projects and opportunities that encourage young people to use Gaelic together
Projects that support Gaelic usage among families and between generations
Adult Gaelic learning in the community
Colmcille – Building connections between speakers of Gaelic and Irish

The fund is expected to be competitive this year, with a total estimated budget of £100,000 per year (subject to confirmation of BnG’s 2025/26 budget).

To learn more about the Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd grant scheme and its expanded funding opportunities, please visit the Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd information page or contact us at tabhartas@gaidhlig.scot.

You can also find information on our other funding schemes on our website.

Gaelic Education Grants Scheme Opens to Applications

Posted on 05/07/202405/07/2024

Bòrd na Gàidhlig are happy to announce that the Gaelic Education Grants scheme has opened to applications this week.

This funding scheme was set up to support those currently working towards a career in Gaelic teaching or Gaelic-medium teachers looking to develop their professional skills.

Support for course fees is available for all taking an eligible course, as long as they are not eligible for SAAS support, as well as support for living expenses.

Who can apply?

Students undertaking a PGDE in Gaelic Education (both Primary and Secondary – Gaelic as a subject and subjects through the medium of Gaelic)
Students undertaking a Gaelic early years or Gaelic childcare course
Students undertaking a Gaelic Education Undergraduate Degree, (BA, MA Education or MA Gàidhlig with Education)
Teachers that are employed in a role relating to Gaelic-medium education that wish to undertake a course to develop their skills or
Qualified teachers looking to develop their skills to move into Gaelic-medium education.

The scheme will close at 3pm on Tuesday 3 September and all applications must be submitted before the deadline.

You can find more information about the scheme and how to apply here.

Gaelic Early Years Grants Scheme Opens to Applications!

Posted on 16/05/202416/05/2024

Bòrd na Gàidhlig have launched the 2024/25 Gaelic Early Years Scheme, with funding provided for early years groups across Scotland to deliver Gaelic sessions.

The scheme is open to all voluntary and third-sector groups, with support up to £5,000 available for groups that meet weekly, and up to £15,000 available to groups that meet more regularly.

This year’s scheme would specifically like to support groups that can show how they will achieve the following outcomes:

Ensuring that children and families have sustained access to Gaelic early years provision
Increasing the number of children continuing with Gaelic-medium learning at key transition stages
Helping more families in Scotland become aware of the benefits of bilingualism and the opportunities offered by Gaelic-medium education
Helping parents become better informed on resources and opportunities to support and interact with their children through Gaelic in homes and communities

Two information sessions will be delivered to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the scheme, get support with filling out application forms, and to ask any questions you may have. You can find more information about the sessions and register to attend on Eventbrite.

The Scheme Guidance and further information is available here.

Gaelic Plans Fund Opens to Applications

Posted on 05/03/202405/03/2024

The Gaelic Plans Fund, which is available to public authorities to support them in the delivery of commitments in their statutory Gaelic Language Plans, and in support of the new National Gaelic Language Plan, has opened to applications.

Public authorities have also recieved funding through the gaelic Plans Fund to support Gaelic projects before they have been officially asked to produce a Gaelic Language Plan.

This year’s scheme is running with two streams – a Strategic Stream for key local authorities and a Projects Stream available to all other public/local authorities with Gaelic Language Plans.

Applications will be accepted for projects up to £25,000 (or up to 80% of project costs).

The scheme is open until 3pm on Thursday 18 April 2024 and more information about the scheme is availabe here.

Immersion Course Grants for Education Practitioners

Posted on 01/02/202401/02/2024

The Gaelic Immersion Courses for Education Workers funding scheme is now open to applications for 2024/25!

This fund was set up to support local authorities to provide Gaelic immersion opportunities for Teachers & Early Learning & Childcare (ELC) practitioners with a view to teaching through the medium of Gaelic upon completing the course. There is up to £50,000 available per teacher, with a total budget of £150,000 available to the scheme.

Working in partnership with Universities who are already delivering Gaelic Immersion courses, Bòrd na Gàidhlig are inviting Local Authorities to nominate prospective candidates who would be willing to undertake a yearlong Gaelic immersion course to enable them to transfer to GME in August 2025. The courses on offer are: An Cùrsa Comais available via Sabhal Mòr Ostaig or UHI Outer Hebrides and Gaelic with Immersion available via The University of Glasgow.

Local Authorities will be able to apply to Bòrd na Gàidhlig for the costs of supply cover for any candidates who successfully receive a place on a Gaelic Immersion course. As part of the application process, Local Authorities will be required to provide confirmation of where candidates would be employed on completion of the immersion course in August 2025.

We would be grateful if you could establish whether there is demand amongst your current workforce and send any expressions of interest to: ann@gaidhlig.scot at the earliest opportunity.

Two online information sessions for prospective candidates will be held on Wenesday, 07.02.24. Teachers, ELC practitioners and local authority staff can register through Eventbrite to learn more about the scheme and ask any questions you may have.

Funding applications should be submitted to Bòrd na Gàidhlig as soon as possible, with applications closing on 26 March 2024.

You can find more information about the scheme here.

Funding for projects that will bring Scottish and Irish Gaelic communities together!

Posted on 19/12/202319/12/2023

Bòrd na Gàidhlig are happy to announce that the Colmcille Grants scheme has opened to application for projects beginning between 1 April and 31 December 2024.

Colmcille is a partnership between Foras na Gaeilge in Ireland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig in Scotland. The funding scheme was established to foster communication and collaboration between the language communities of Scottish and Irish Gaelic.

Applications can be made for up to £12,500 of funding to support projects which will bring Gaelic and Irish speakers together, and also for Gaelic speakers looking to undertake an Irish course.

This year’s scheme will particularly look to support projects which:

Promote the use of Gaelic or Irish through the arts
Use heritage to bring Gaelic/Irish communities together and promote the status of the languages
Bring young speakers of Gaelic and Irish together through events and school projects/trips
Promote communication and sharing of knowledge and best practice among Gaelic and Irish speakers

This scheme is currently open until 3pm on Tuesday 20 February 2024.

You can find more information about the guidelines for scheme and how to make an application here.

Funding Support for Gaelic Community Work

Posted on 14/11/202314/11/2023

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has announced an expansion to its Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd (Community Grants) Scheme, offering extended funding opportunities to impactful Gaelic projects. In a move to support community initiatives across Scotland, the scheme will now provide grants for up to two years – doubling the previous one-year funding period.

Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd is Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s primary fund for supporting organisations in delivering projects to promote and increase the usage and learning of Gaelic at community level.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig will provide an annual budget of £100,000 to allow applicants to apply for support of up to £10,000 for their projects. The scheme’s application window will open on Tuesday, November 14th and close in January 2024.

Last year, Bòrd na Gàidhlig proudly supported 64 projects through Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd. These included awards of £5,000 to the Western Isles Community Society, to mark the centenary of the departure of 1,500 Hebrideans to Canada, from Lochboisdale and Stornoway, and also Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh for its continued support to Gaelic education.

Other organisations to benefit from funding included Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Artsplay Highland, Lingo Flamingo in Glasgow, and Alzheimer Scotland.

Mary MacInnes, Chair at Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said:

“Our organisation is dedicated to nurturing a culture of positive change and empowerment within our community. We believe that by extending the grant period to two years, we can be the catalyst for even more meaningful and lasting transformations. We invite all passionate individuals and community groups to take this opportunity and be a part of this journey with us.”