The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has reinforced its dedication to advancing Philippine arts and culture by announcing the Competitive Grants Program 2025, with a total allocation of ₱133 million. Significantly, nearly ₱77 million of this funding is designated to support 81 projects specifically in the Visayas region. Interested parties must submit their proposals by August 31, 2024.
According to Section 12.a.4 of Republic Act 7356 (the NCCA Charter), the Commission is authorized to provide grants to artists and cultural groups that make substantial contributions to the Filipino cultural legacy, thereby promoting artistic achievement. Additionally, Section 13.h of the same law requires the Commission to manage the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA) and to provide grants for the development, protection, preservation, and dissemination of Philippine culture and arts. The grants program is open to various applicants, including non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs), indigenous peoples’ organizations (IPOs), individuals, local government units (LGUs), government agencies (GAs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and public schools.
Aligned with the four strategic outcomes outlined in the Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts 2024–2029—namely, Reaffirming Filipino Identity; Harnessing Filipino Creativity and Innovativeness; Establishing Humane, Inclusive, and Sustainable Communities; and Enhancing Culture and Disaster Responsive Governance—the NCCA Competitive Grants Program 2025 aims to significantly impact Filipino artistic endeavors.
The program is highly competitive, with project proposals undergoing a rigorous and confidential evaluation process based on their quality and relevance to the Commission’s priorities. Projects fall under one of four Subcommissions—Subcommission on the Arts (SCA), Subcommission on Cultural and Traditional Arts (SCCTA), Subcommission on Cultural Dissemination (SCD), and Subcommission on Cultural Heritage (SCH). Proponents interested in submitting projects within these categories should prepare their proposals according to the specified requirements and submit them to the appropriate addresses.
Program Management Division (PMD)
National Commission for Culture and the Arts
Room 5B, Fifth Floor, NCCA Building
633 General Luna Street, Intramuros 1002 Manila, Philippines
Telephone Nos: (02) 8527-5535 (Trunk Line) locals 524, 541, and 507
E-mail: pmd@ncca.gov.ph
Interested proponents are allowed to submit only one project proposal and must complete the required NCCA Project Proposal Form in full. They must clearly specify the appropriate category for their project, provide all necessary documentary requirements, and obtain accreditation from the Commission, which is a prerequisite for the approval of their proposal. Proposals may be submitted in either Filipino or English.
Individuals who are officials, employees, or Executive Council (ExeCon) members of the NCCA, along with their relatives up to the fourth civil degree of affinity and consanguinity, are not eligible to submit proposals. Additionally, organizations and institutions where ExeCon members hold positions as officers or incorporators are also disqualified from applying.
For more information on the 2025 NCCA Competitive Grants Program, you may coordinate with the Program Management Division Secretariat at telephone number (02) 8527-2192 (TL) loc. 509, fax numbers (02) 8527-2198 / (02) 8527-2209 / (02) 8527-2194, or through e-mail at ppmd@ncca.gov.ph. You may also visit https://ncca.gov.ph/ncca-competitive-grants-program/and Facebook page for further details.
For details on this press release, contact Mr. Rene S. Napeñas, Head, Public Affairs and Information Office, through pais@ncca.gov.ph or 0945 788 5698. Visit www.ncca.gov.ph and the Facebook page @NCCAOfficial.
