Stimuleringsfonds

In the first round of the Design Grant Scheme in 2026, 23 projects were selected.

23 July 2026

This grant scheme is intended for projects that contribute to the quality, development or deepening of the design field. Examples include artistic research, product development, and reflection and debate. You can find an overview of all the selected projects in the awarded grants archive (in Dutch).

featured

Some notable projects include:

Molukse draden – Ysatis Haumahu
In Molukse Draden (Moluccan Threads), Ysatis Haumahu develops her own textile language, inspired by the traditional techniques of ikat and batik. Through fieldwork, archival research and textile experiments in the Netherlands and the Moluccas, she investigates how fabrics embody cultural knowledge. She combines this knowledge with Dutch textile principles to create a textile language that represents Moluccan-Dutch culture and migration history, and which forms the basis for contemporary fashion items. The project results in material experiments, documented in a digital publication, and three to five fashion items. Collaboration partners include Loes Leatemia for knowledge of ikat, Sabine Bolk for knowledge of batik, and Armani Haumahu as art director. The project contributes to an inclusive design language and invites recognition and dialogue through presentations, workshops and documentation.

Everything Moist (Seems Alive) – Stichting This is Not an Office
Everything Moist (Seems Alive) is a new performance installation by Stichting This is Not an Office (MAISON the FAUX: Joris Suk and Tessa de Boer), developed together with Studio Boekman, Studio Boris Acket and MU Hybrid Art House. Prompted by the urgent challenges posed by climate change and social fragmentation, Everything Moist (Seems Alive) explores water as a theme, design material and connecting force. The audience moves through various water worlds and becomes part of the scenography, music and performance. By placing water centre stage as both a symbol and a physical material, the project offers new perspectives on themes such as collectivity, ecology and shared responsibility. The work will be on show in Eindhoven for 12 weeks in autumn 2026, including during Dutch Design Week, with accompanying live performances and public programmes.

De Ilias – Moos Boeke
De Ilias is a collective comic-book project in which five illustrators reinterpret the classical Greek epic. In this retelling, themes such as respect, authority and the value of a human life are compared with contemporary power dynamics, (including in politics). Illustrators Moos Boeke, Abel Dijkstra and Vera Wolsink are collaborating on this project with guest illustrators Ludwig Volbeda and Gus Møystad. The graphic novel experimentally combines various illustration styles and narrative forms within a single coherent whole. In addition to breathing new life into a centuries-old story , the project aims to establish a collaboration that brings innovation to the comic-book world. The book has 120 pages, will be published in early 2028 by Uitgeverij Oogachtend, and is aimed at an international audience.

numbers

This application round in numbers:

142 applications submitted for phase 1, 70 of which were taken into consideration following the draw
67 applications received for phase 2, 56 of which were taken into consideration (after a check on the formal requirements) and submitted to the advisory committee
Of the applications in phase 2, 8 were follow-up applications, 3 were follow-up and revised applications, and 10 were revised applications
26 applications were positively assessed, 23 of which received a grant within the available budget
The amount awarded in this round is € 677,598 (€ 650,000 + € 12,760 underspend from the previous round + € 14,928 in Fair Practice funds)

After phase 1, a draw was held to determine the order in which applications were checked and processed. Read more about the phasing and draw procedure on the Design Grant Scheme’s subsidy page, under 'how does this grant scheme work?'.

follow-up

The next grant period of the Design Grant Scheme is open from 12 August 2026 at 15:00 CE(S)T until 19 August at 16:00 CE(S)T. Take a look at the subsidy page of the grant scheme to prepare effectively.

Header image: Portret van een Onzichtbare Zee – Maria Fraaije