ICOM Dubai 2025 launches regional grant programme

Dubai: The Organising Committee of ICOM Dubai 2025, in partnership with ICOM UAE, has launched a dedicated Grant Programme for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.

The initiative sets the stage for the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), which will be held for the first time in the MEASA region this November in Dubai.

Under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,” ICOM Dubai 2025 will bring together thousands of museum professionals, cultural leaders, academics, and students. To ensure broad access and participation, the Grant Programme offers 140 grants equally divided between in-person attendance and digital access.

In-person grant recipients will receive full coverage for travel, accommodation, visa fees (where required), and admission to the conference. Digital grant recipients will gain complimentary access to the full virtual programme, enabling wide participation regardless of travel ability.

Diversity of voices

Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Chairperson of the ICOM Dubai 2025 Organising Committee, emphasised the importance of inclusive participation: “At ICOM Dubai 2025, we are nurturing a legacy built on inclusion, opportunity, and shared purpose. This Grant Programme reflects our belief that the future of museums must be shaped by a diversity of voices. By welcoming professionals from across the MEASA region, we are inviting a variety of perspectives to join the global dialogue and co-create the cultural narratives of tomorrow.”

This initiative is aligned with the conference’s three core pillars:

By empowering voices rooted in or contributing to the MEASA region, the programme aims to foster new perspectives on the evolving role of museums in society.

Applicants including museum professionals, students, and cultural practitioners are invited to apply without the requirement of ICOM membership. Each application must include a CV and a motivation letter of up to 500 words, with an option to propose specific ideas or contributions related to the conference themes. The deadline for submitting application is May 31, 2025

Global organisation

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is the premier global organisation promoting the preservation, development, and collaboration of museums worldwide. With more than 57,000 members across 129 countries, ICOM connects nearly 20,000 museums globally. In 2021, ICOM-UAE, in collaboration with Dubai Culture, Dubai Municipality, and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, secured the bid to host the 2025 General Conference in Dubai — recognising the UAE’s leadership in cultural heritage, creative economy, and international dialogue.