Welcome to the Atypical Generation Fund, a grant programme for artists in Northern Ireland who identify as D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent. Atypical Generation Fund is the new name for the Deaf and Disabled Artist Support Fund (or DDASF). The fund is essentially the same: it offers £1000 grants to 20 artists with an idea of how they could use funding to develop their creative practice.
The Atypical Generation Fund welcomes applications from D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent artists throughout Northern Ireland. We particularly encourage applications from artists who are learning disabled, as this group of artists has been less represented in previous rounds.
Artists can work in any art form for example music, craft, circus, visual arts, creative writing, theatre performance.
You can seek funding for a wide range of purposes including costs towards hiring space, mentoring, materials, training or simply buying time to focus on their creative work.
We wish you all the best with your application and look forward to hearing from you.
The fund is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
We strongly recommend that you refer to the Guidance Notes as you complete your form. These explain what we want, and why.
If you need this application in a different format, contact administration@universityofatypical.org at least 2 weeks before the deadline.
Guidance videos are available below in British and Irish Sign Language below.
We also have information and advice sessions available (see below).
Key Dates
- Application opens: Monday 2 February 2026 at 12:00 pm
- In-person information session: Tuesday 17 February 2026 from 2:30 to 4:00 pm
- Online information session: Thursday 19 February 2026 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm
- One-to-one advice sessions open: Tuesday 3 February 2026
- Final one-to-one advice sessions: Thursday 5 March 2026
- Application closes: Tuesday 10 March 2026 at 4:00 pm.
You must submit your completed application form, budget, monitoring form, and supporting material by this deadline. - Announcement of successful applications: April 2026
- Evaluation and reports submitted: 11 December 2026
Advice and Information Sessions
Information Sessions
We will hold 2 information sessions for groups, with a presentation about the award and an an opportunity to ask questions. You do not need to attend to apply for an award, but there have been changes to the award this year.
- In-person information session: Ledger Studio at University of Atypical, Tuesday 17 February 2026 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.
- Online information session: Thursday 19 February 2026 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.
To book a place for either information session:
- Fill in the booking form.
- Email administration@universityofatypical.org
- Phone 028 9023 9450.
One-to-One Advice Sessions:
Our advisors can support D/deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent applicants with their form. They can help you to understand the criteria, to check your budget, proofread the application, or ensure all aspects of the application are eligible. Advisors cannot comment on whether your application is likely to be successful, or help you to develop your idea.
To book a one-to-one advice session:
- Fill in the booking form.
- Email jonathan@universityofatypical.org
- Phone 028 9023 9450.
Let us know if you have any access requirements (for example, a British or Irish Sign Language interpreter).