Freelancers and small and medium-sized enterprises in the creative industry can now apply online for grants from the UAE government as part of the <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/art/creative-freelancers-and-smes-in-the-uae-can-apply-for-dh15-000-dh50-000-grants-from-the-government-1.1019388">National Creative Relief Programme</a>. Grants range from Dh15,000 to Dh50,000. The programme was announced by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development (MCKD) on Thursday, May 14, as part of its efforts to keep the creative industries afloat amid the coronavirus crisis. MCKD began accepting applications on Sunday, May 17, and received 108 applications, 86 from freelancers and 22 from SMEs, on the first day. Applications can be completed on the <a href="https://www.mckd.gov.ae/en/covid-19/financial-support/">ministry's website</a> and will close on Sunday, May 24, after which they will be reviewed by a committee. Freelancers, both citizens and non-citizens residing in the country, can apply. Those with expired residencies can still apply. Income for individuals must come from independent contracts, so those employed full time with a salary are not eligible. Individuals must also hold commercial licences from development departments or free zones and must be over 18 years old. Licensed SMEs within the cultural and creative sector can apply. The companies must have started their formal business operations before 2019 and must have less than 10 employees. The committee will look at a number of factors, including the size of loss sustained by the applicants resulting from cancelled projects and contracts between March and May. The applicant's projected cash flow for the period of May to July will also be evaluated, as will their current business sustainability plan and track record of production in the country since 2019. The National Creative Relief Programme covers several segments of the cultural and creative industries, including those working in the following: 1. copy of work permit (for freelancers) 2. copy of Emirates ID 3. copy of passport with UAE residency visa (can be recently expired) 4. official bank statements for the last 6 months 5. copies of cancelled contracts / works / agreements that affected the income in March, April and May 6. copies of financial commitments in May, June and July Currently, the fund is supported by the UAE government, but the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development is also accepting contributions from individuals, patrons and companies to raise more money for applicants. The contributions will be handled by the CSR UAE Fund, a federal authority for corporate social responsibility in the UAE. <em>More information is at <a href="https://www.mckd.gov.ae/">www.mckd.gov.ae</a></em>