Design Grant Scheme

The application procedure for this scheme consists of two phases:

first phase

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 Chamber of Commerce. In the application form, you will briefly summarise the project and indicate how it relates to the design field. Applications will be processed once they are complete and meet the entry requirements described in Article 6 of the Design Grant Scheme.

Whether your application can be processed also depends on the time of submission. Applications are processed in order of receipt until the maximum number for the grant period has been reached. We therefore advise you not to wait too long to submit an application.

second phase

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. 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 within the design field may apply for a grant of €10,000 up to a maximum of €50,000 for projects covered by this scheme. The grant is a contribution to the total project costs, of which at least 20% 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:

Manual and application form sample

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 a sample of the application form of phase I here.

Design Grant Scheme

Applications are assessed using the Design Grant Scheme which include details of the conditions, criteria, objectives and assessment process.

Budget and funding plan template

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.

Publication budget template

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.

Applications are assessed by the advisory committee for this scheme using the Design Grant Scheme.

• Significance of the chosen theme or question for the field
• Artistic quality of the project
• Effectiveness in design, methodology and the expertise involved
• Support for the project
• The project's contribution to a more diverse and equal design sector

The assessment criteria are explained in Article 10 of the Design Grant Scheme.

Processing

After an application is submitted for phase I, it will be checked against the entry requirements detailed in the Design Grant Scheme. In phase I, applications are processed in order of receipt until the maximum number for the grant period has been reached. When applications are submitted for 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.

Assessment

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.

Prioritisation

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.

Decision

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.

Accountability

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.

Which disciplines form the design field?

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.

Is the Design Grant Scheme also open to social design projects?

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.

Should total project costs be between €10,000 and €50,000?

That is possible but not necessary; total project costs may also amount to more than €50,000. At least 20% of the total project costs must be covered by co-financing that is not a personal contribution from the applicant. For projects with a total budget of up to €10,000, please see the Creative Industries Kick-start Grant Scheme, which can then lead to a follow-up application under the Design Grant Scheme.

How often can I submit a revised application?

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.

Can I submit more than one application at the same time for each grant period?

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.

Design Grant Scheme
Design Grant Scheme manual
Budget and funding plan template
Publication budget template
Example application form phase I

Please note: The Design Grant Scheme has been updated and adjusted on several points, so please familiarise yourself with the latest version.