Submission deadline set August 31, 2026

CITY OF MANILA – The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) officially opened the call for competitive grant proposals for the 2027 funding cycle, aligned with the national Bagong Pilipinas development agenda. The launch program included a performance by the University of the Philippines Kontemporáyong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra Gapi).

All entries must be submitted on or before August 31, 2026, 11:59 PM (Philippine Standard Time).

In his opening remark, NCCA Chair Dr. Eric Zerrudo extended an invitation to all Filipinos to take part in the funding opportunity. “We encourage every artist, cultural worker, community group, and visionary from across the country to submit your proposals. This program is your chance to bring your cultural projects to life and contribute to building a creative, inclusive, and proud Bagong Pilipinas,” Zerrudo stated.

Bernan Joseph Corpuz, NCCA Deputy Executive Director, also called on all eligible groups and individuals to submit their proposals. “We invite all cultural movers and creators nationwide to take advantage of this opportunity. Your projects can shape our shared cultural future and advance the goals of the Bagong Pilipinas agenda,” Corpuz said.

Joining the launch were key NCCA officials: Dr. Lordinio Vergara of the Subcommission on the Arts, and Dr. Maria Alexandra Chua of the Subcommission on Music. Drawing from regional comparisons and Southeast Asian music exchange initiatives, Dr. Chua raised critical concerns on the state of music education:

“Right now, formal music instruction only begins at Grade 4 in the Philippines, while many other Southeast Asian countries start engaging children in music as early as two years old. We also see clear gaps in arts and music instruction from Key Stage 1 through Senior High School — where these subjects are currently offered only as electives, rather than core learning areas.

Beyond this, we must recognize that music is not merely entertainment — it is a vital industry, with the potential to create livelihoods, drive innovation, and project Filipino creativity globally. These grants can help us address these gaps, expand early access to music learning, and build a stronger, more competitive music sector for the country,” Dr. Chua emphasized.

Arwin Paul Lingat emphasized that cultural communities are especially welcome to apply: “We specifically invite cultural communities, including Indigenous Peoples youth, to participate and share their ideas. Your voices, stories, and heritage are vital to this program.”

Emma M. Rey, Secretary of the Subcommission on Cultural Heritage and Head of the National Committee on Archives, added: “This grant also supports projects that protect, document, and make accessible our collective cultural records and heritage for the benefit of all Filipinos.”

may-i g.Padilla, vice head National commitee on communication, si commission on cultural dissemination.

Implemented under Republic Act No. 7356, the program is open to all eligible proponents nationwide: individual artists, cultural workers, civil society groups, schools, cultural institutions, as well as Indigenous Peoples communities, elders, and IP-led organizations.

Proposals may cover heritage preservation, creative industry development, cultural education — including initiatives to fill gaps across learning levels, expand early music access, and strengthen the local music industry — and arts for community progress, all aligned with the Bagong Pilipinas vision.

For full guidelines, eligibility, and submission details:

🔗 https://ncca.gov.ph/ncca-comoetitive-grants-program/