For projects that contribute to the quality, development or deepening of the design field. Central to this are the processes of artistic research, product development, reflection and debate.
The application procedure for this scheme consists of two phases:
In phase I, you submit a concise application by completing the application form. We also ask for CVs of the main project players and a digitally certified extract from the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK). For projects involving one or more project partners, we also require letters of intent.
In the application form, you will briefly summarise the project and indicate how it relates to the field of design. Applications will be processed once they are complete and meet the entry requirements described in Article 6 of the Design Grant Scheme.
A maximum number of applications will be considered in phase I. After the closing date, all applications will be ranked in random order by means of a draw system, after which processing will begin. Given the limited number of applications we process, we ask you to only submit an application if you are certain that you will be able to supplement it in phase II. Read more here.
If your application is processed in phase I, you will be given four weeks to supplement it with, among other things, a detailed project plan, a budget, timetable, and communication plan. If one or more partners are involved in the execution of the project, you must also add letters of intent again. Where possible, please also explain what agreements have been made regarding the division of roles and intellectual property. You must then submit the supplemented application for phase II. Only complete applications that meet the entry requirements and conditions described in Articles 6 and 7 of the Design Grant Scheme will be submitted to the advisory committee for assessment.
Designers, observers, design agencies and cultural institutions that position themselves professionally within the field of design can apply for a grant under this scheme for projects within the field of design. For projects with a single executing party, a grant ranging from €10,000 to €25,000 can be requested. The grant requirement in phase II of the application must also not exceed €25,000. For projects involving collaboration with one or more project partners, a grant ranging from €10,000 to €50,000 can be requested.
The grant is a contribution towards the total project costs. A minimum of 20% of the total project costs must be covered by co-financing.
In preparation for the applications in phases I and II, it is important to familiarise yourself with the following documents:
In the Design Grant Scheme Manual, you will find tools and tips for preparing an application, a checklist with an overview of the documents you must submit with your applications in phases I and II, and an explanation of how to draw up a budget. Curious to see the application form? View an example of the application form of phase I here.
Applications are assessed using the Design Grant Scheme which include details of the conditions, criteria, objectives and assessment process.
To submit an application under this scheme, we ask you to draw up a balanced budget including a funding plan, for which the Budget and funding plan template is mandatory. These do not need to be submitted until phase II, but you should make sure you are clear on their details in advance.
Applications aimed at realising a printed publication are asked to draw up a supplementary budget using the Publication budget template. This does not need to be submitted until phase II.
For projects involving one or more project partners, we require letters of intent. You must upload these as separate attachments in the application form, for both phase I and phase II. Please use the Letter of Intent Format when drafting your letter(s) of intent.
Applications are assessed by the advisory committee for this scheme using the Design Grant Scheme.
The assessment criteria are explained in Article 10 of the Design Grant Scheme.
A maximum number of applications will be considered in phase I. After the closing date, all applications will be ranked in random order by means of a draw system, after which processing will begin. We check the applications against the entry requirements of the Design Grant Scheme.
When proposals are processed in phase II, it is again checked whether the supplemented application meets the entry requirements and other conditions. The application is also checked to ensure it is in line with the description and positioning of the project as submitted in phase I. For projects with a single executing party, it is verified that the grant requirement has not exceeded €25,000 compared to the application submitted in phase I.
Applications that are complete and meet the entry requirements and conditions in phase II will be assessed by the advisory committee using the Design Grant Scheme. The committee will advise the board of the Creative Industries Fund NL on whether to award a grant.
If the total number of applications eligible for grants exceeds the available budget for the grant period, priority will be given based on scores achieved against the assessment criteria.
Based on the advice of the committee, the board will decide whether to award a grant. Applicants will be informed of this outcome in a decision letter.
If you receive a grant from the Creative Industries Fund NL, you will also be given certain obligations. Two weeks before the completion of your project, you will receive an email asking you to submit your accountability documents through the application platform. We would also like to receive an invitation for any presentations of your project, as well as two copies of physical publications.
Design is a broad field formed by the disciplines of animation, bio design, food design, glass design, graphic design, illustration, interior design, ceramic design, lighting design, fashion design, product, furniture and industrial design, scenography, jewellery design, comic and graphic novels, exhibition design, textile design and typography.
You cannot submit an application for social design projects under this scheme if there is no clear relationship with the design field in terms of content and final form. This scheme is open to projects with a social design approach provided that the project focuses on a clear design question or assignment within the design field. Applications may also be submitted to other Creative Industries Fund NL schemes for projects with a social design approach if they are in line with the objectives of the scheme.
Yes, they can. For projects with a single executing party, total project costs may also exceed €25,000, and projects involving collaboration with one or more project partners may exceed €50,000. At least 20% of the total project costs must be covered by co-financing. An applicant’s own contribution is not considered co-financing.
Was your application rejected with a negative decision in phase II? You may revise your application once and resubmit it in phase I of a subsequent grant period with new information based on which the committee can arrive at a new decision. Were you ineligible for a grant due to prioritisation? If an application is resubmitted in a new grant period after it was not processed in phase I due to the maximum number of applications being reached, it will not be considered a revised application. Read more about revised applications.
No, you can only submit one grant application per grant period under this scheme. Additionally, you cannot receive more than one grant per calendar year under this scheme, however an exception applies to publishers and producers. We check this when processing the applications based on the Chamber of Commerce number.
If you submit an application under this scheme and are involved in a project for which an application is also being submitted within the same grant period under this scheme, this is not an issue. It is also possible to submit applications for different projects under different schemes simultaneously.
Please note: We are working on an adjustment to this scheme. The new grant scheme will be published in January. Read more here.
Design Grant Scheme
Design Grant Scheme Manual
Budget and funding plan template
Publication budget template
Letter of Intent Format
Example application form phase I
be clear and do not repeat yourself
support your proposal with visuals
draw up a realistic budget
take into your account your fee and those of partners
ask for feedback and fine-tune your proposal
Would you like to apply for funding under this scheme?
Start your applicationIf some of the information is not clear, email your question to our colleagues at vormgeving@stimuleringsfonds.nl. You can also call on 010 436 16 00. If you have a more general question, have a look at our frequently asked questions first.
