Design Sector Internationalisation Grant Scheme

This grant scheme is open to projects by professional makers, spectators, design agencies, cultural institutions or organisations that are realised in collaboration with one or more international partners and whose activities mainly take place abroad.

The grant scheme is for projects aimed at research and collaboration in an international context, and whose activities mainly take place abroad, with one or more international partner(s). From the context of the Dutch creative industry, the projects should contribute to strengthening international exchange and sustainable international cooperation.

You may apply for a grant of €10,000 up to a maximum of €50,000. The grant is a contribution to the total project costs, of which at least 20% must be covered by co-financing.

Travel costs to countries or areas where code red currently applies are not eligible. Check www.netherlandsworldwide.nl. In addition, we cannot support activities in countries where sanctions apply that prevent the safe and proper execution of a project. Check www.sanctionsmap.eu.

manual

In the Design Sector Internationalisation Manual you will find handles and tips for preparing a subsidy application and an explanation of the criteria. Based on this, you can prepare an application that is as complete as possible.

design sector internationalisation grant scheme

Applications are assessed on the basis of the Design Sector Internationalisation Grant Scheme. This describes the conditions, criteria and objectives.

budget and cover 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. 

consultation hour

On Thursday, April 3 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, we are organising an online consultation hour. During this session, we will explain the scheme and the main changes compared to the previous policy period. Register here.

do you have any specific questions?

Do you have any specific questions about your project plan? You can submit a concept (max two pages) to the staff of this scheme no later than three weeks before the closing date via e-mail.

Applications are evaluated by the advisory committee for this scheme. This is done based on the Internationalisation of the Design Sector Grant Scheme.

assessment criteria

• selected subject, research question and artistic value
• the extent to which the project is effective in its set-up
• positioning within the relevant professional field and the relevance to the Dutch creative industry
• the set-up of the collaborations within the application

The criteria are explained in the Internationalisation Grant Scheme Manual.

processing

Applications are processed in order of receipt until the maximum number for the grant period (40) has been reached. Within this grant period there is also an allocation for a maximum of 10 follow-up applications, and a maximum of 10 revised applications. Applications received after this cannot be processed. After submitting your application, the Fund will check it against the formal requirements. We will contact you if anything is unclear.

assessment

An independent advisory committee will assess your application on the basis of the Internationalisation of the Design Sector Grant Scheme. The committee issues its advice to the board of the Creative Industries Fund NL.

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.

can I apply for a startup grant if I want to investigate the possibilities for a larger project?

From 2025, there is no longer a startup grant available as part of the Internationalisation of the Design Sector Grant Scheme. Instead, you can apply to the Creative Industries Kick-start Grant Scheme for grants to conduct preliminary research for larger projects in the fields of architecture, design and digital culture. The total project budget may not exceed €10,000, but projects supported through the scheme can lead to a follow-up application under this Internationalisation of the Design Sector Grant 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 this Internationalisation of the Design Sector Grant Scheme.

can I use the grant for work periods (artist-in-residence) or individual residency projects?

No, under this scheme, grants cannot be provided for work periods (artist-in-residence) and individual residency projects. The Design Sector Internationalisation Grant Scheme is open to projects that are brought about in collaboration with one or more international partners, where all parties actively contribute to strengthening international exchanges. For residency projects, you can apply to one of our open calls specifically for designers, architects, makers and observers who want to spend a work period abroad. Keep an eye on our website for more information.

Internationalisation of the Design Sector Grant Scheme
Internationalisation Grant Scheme Manual
Budget and funding plan template
Publication budget template