DCD’s Retraining Grants can help support dancers with the practical costs of transitioning into a new career.

Dancers may choose to transfer their skills to another area of the creative industries, or pursue a different career altogether. Whether your goal is to become an artistic director or an architect, we can give the guidance and financial support to gain the skills required for a successful and satisfying career path.

DCD grants can be used towards a range of costs related to retraining, from course and training fees, equipment, books and materials and maintenance to travel and child care costs.

Remember, we do much more than offer dancers grants – click to register today for an Individual Career Consultation with our team, or for Personal, Professional Development and Career Transition Coaching and see how else DCD can help support you.

IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING THE 9 FEBRUARY 2026 APPLICATION ROUND

Demand for our grants to support retraining has significantly increased in recent times. To ensure we are able to accommodate requests most effectively, the 9 February 2026 application deadline will only be open to applications from dancers who meet one of the following criteria:

Independent/freelance dancers who met with a DCD Relationship Manager prior to 12 November, and specifically discussed making an application to the February 2026 round.
Dancers who are eligible for the DCD Partner Company Fund as they currently (or previously) work with one or more of our Partner Companies (see eligibility here).
Dancers who have an urgent retraining request, which cannot wait until the next application round; in which case you are urged to contact us asap to discuss your eligibility.

This decision follows unprecedented demand on our summer and autumn funding rounds in 2025, and will ensure that our small team has the capacity to continue offering the one to one, bespoke support to dancers that is at the core of DCD’s work.

Our next application round is June 2026, which will be open to all eligible dancers seeking financial support for retraining. We look forward to discussing your retraining needs.

All dancers from any genre who’ve had a professional career in the UK can apply to DCD for financial support for retraining. This is our only programme with eligibility criteria.

Partner Company Fund

If you have worked with, or currently work with, one of DCD’s Partner Companies please click here for more information. You must make sure you book an Individual Career Consultation with our Relationship Management team at least two weeks before you submit your application. Contact us at dancers @thedcd.org.uk with your performance history CV to arrange your Individual Career Consultation.

If you have not been able to fulfil the eligibility criteria (see above) due to injury or illness, you may still be eligible to apply for funding.

If you do not meet the Partner Company Fund criteria above for a Retraining Grant you may still be eligible for a Career Exploration Grant. You may also be able to apply to DCD’s Independent Dancers’ Fund or for an IOTPD grant. Please make an appointment to speak with one of our friendly Relationship Managers who will be able to advise you via dancers @thedcd.org.uk.

Independent Dancer Fund

DCD support freelance and independent dancers with essential financial costs while retraining.

You must make sure you book an Individual Career Consultation with our Programmes team at least two weeks before you submit your application. Contact us at dancers @thedcd.org.uk with your performance history CV to arrange your Individual Career Consultation.

If you have any queries then please contact the Relationship Management team by emailing dancers @thedcd.org.uk