Ulster-Scots Grants Scheme Launched By Ulster-Scots Academy

AN Ulster-Scots Development and Research Strategy and Associated Grant Scheme have been launched by the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) Ulster-Scots Academy Group  Chair, Dr Bill Smith at Queen’s University, Belfast. In April 2003, the Joint Declaration by the British and Irish Governments committed the British Government to take steps to encourage support to be made available to an Ulster-Scots Academy. The launch of this strategy is an important step towards the establishment of that.  As part of the strategy the MAG also announced the opening of a Grant Scheme which will encourage individuals, organisations or community groups to apply for funding through the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure’s Ulster-Scots Development and Research Fund. The fund will support projects which will contribute to the achievement of one of more of the MAG’s three workstreams: History, Heritage and Culture; Language and Literature and Education and Research. Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín, commenting on the launch of the strategy said: “We are pleased to launch the Development and Research Strategy and Grant Scheme. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals and organisations to apply for funding to progress Ulster-Scots related projects. The grant scheme aims to help develop knowledge and understanding of the Ulster-Scots tradition here, in Scotland and also further afield.”