The British Council is inviting Indian designers, design entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the ‘New Landscapes India: R&D Grant Scheme’, in partnership with the University of the Arts London.
The ‘New Landscapes India: R&D Grant Scheme’ is a three-year initiative that aims to encourage collaboration in sustainable fashion, textiles, and technology between stakeholders in India and the United Kingdom. It will provide seven grants of up to £7,000 each for collaborative projects between Indian SMEs, designers, researchers, entrepreneurs, institutions, collectives, or non-profits and their UK counterparts, with support from the British Council.
The New Landscapes Catalyst Grant Scheme, led by the Fashion, Textiles, and Technology Institute at the University of the Arts London, in collaboration with the British Council, acknowledges the need for India's fashion, textiles, and technology industries to re-assess their impact on society and the environment. Since its inception in 2021, this international programme has been promoting innovation and research in sustainable fashion, textiles, and technology.
Alison Barrett MBE, director India, British Council, said: “We are thrilled to introduce New Landscapes India, which underscores our commitment to promoting sustainable practices and international collaboration in addressing the environmental challenges that the industry faces. We are dedicated to facilitating cross-border research and development projects and promoting knowledge exchange in the design sector. Our partnership with UAL is an exciting opportunity to encourage Indian designers, entrepreneurs, and SMEs to engage in collaborative innovation in sustainable fashion and technology.”
Participants in the programme will receive comprehensive support from the University of the Arts London's Fashion, Textiles, and Technology Institute (UAL FTTI), including mentorship from seasoned academics and FTTI staff, as well as exclusive opportunities for showcasing their work. Successful completion of projects in the first year will provide grantees with an opportunity to secure further funding in the second year.
Professor Jane Harris, director of the University of the Arts London Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute (UAL FTTI) said: “This next phase of collaboration between the British Council India and the UAL FTTI will continue to address the wider apparel and textile industry’s relationship with climate change. FTTI will facilitate a supported risk-taking R&D culture, enabling an exchange of knowledge and methods of designing and producing in a more sustainable and socially engaged way.”
Key eligibility information
- The call is open to all Indian designers, design entrepreneurs and SMEs
- Applications must involve a partnership between at least one Indian applicant and at least one UK applicant
- Indian applicants must represent an enterprise, collective, non-profit, or institution with a minimum of three years of experience
- Applicants must demonstrate strong collaboration, knowledge exchange, and mutual benefit for their partners in their application
- Successful applicants must demonstrate the ability to carry out project activities between April 2024 and September 2024, with a requirement to host a public event presenting their findings in late-2024