To be eligible for large scale capital grant funding, you must meet the following criteria:

1.    You are applying for a minimum grant of £500,000 to support capital expenditure

We define capital expenditure as money spent on the purchase, improvement, restoration, construction or creation of an asset, including expenses or costs that are directly attributable to delivering the capital project.

2.    You must demonstrate that your project outcomes will contribute to at least two goals set out in section two of our guidance:

• goal 3: 'The arts are sustainable, resilient and innovative'
• one other of our five goals

You should also read our 10-year strategic framework for the arts, Achieving great art for everyone

3.    You have undertaken research that justifies the resources, and capital investment is necessary to bring about your planned project

If applying for a building project, it should be developed to at least RIBA work stage B.

4.    Your capital project will improve existing arts facilities that engage people in England and/or for artists and others who work in the arts

We will prioritise the consolidation and improvement of existing buildings and equipment rather than investing in significant expansion or new infrastructure. You can only apply for a project which will extend a current arts building, convert an existing building for arts purposes or construct a new building if your Arts Council regional office agrees to this beforehand in writing.

We are only likely to agree if you can demonstrate that you have considered the project's long term effect on your organisation, including how any additional running costs will be met in the longer term. You must send this written agreement from your regional office, and any additional information we have requested, with your application.

5.    You are in receipt of National portfolio funding from us for 2012/13

If you are not in receipt of National portfolio funding, you can only apply if you are properly constituted as an organisation and your Arts Council regional office agrees to this beforehand in writing. You must send this written agreement with your application. We are only likely to agree if you can demonstrate your project will make a significant contribution to achieving great art for everyone.

6.    If you are applying for a building project, you already have, or propose to purchase in the future, the necessary security of tenure (freehold or leasehold ownership) of the land and building where the proposed capital project will take place

There is information on our requirements for ownership of land and buildings in section six of our Guidance for stage one applicants - large capital grants

7.    Your application should demonstrate that you will be able to develop your project to meet our stage two application requirements within 18 months of a stage one decision

Further details are included in section six of our Guidance for stage one applicants - large capital grants

8.    Your organisation and project outcomes must be based in England

Please note that obtaining our written agreement to apply does not guarantee that your application will be successful.