Open Call Grounding the Cloud

Data storage in the cloud or the use of chatbots based on generative AI, all of these digital habits we find self-evident. Yet they have major ecological consequences. Just think of the energy consumption of data centres, the use of raw materials for hardware, and the ever-growing amount of e-waste. What opportunities are there to reduce the (physical) impact of our virtual data? How can we use and reuse digital technology within the limits of our planet, and how can we challenge our ideas about technological progress, innovation, ownership and growth in an intersectional way?

With this open call, the Fund encourages projects that make the ecological (and therefore also social) impact of digital technologies and data consumption tangible, question it, and put alternative working methods into practice. We want to support creative making and thinking processes relating to topics such as regenerative culture, degrowth, low-tech, the reuse of obsolete hardware, and responsibility for the technologies we use within digital culture.

This open call is for applications from individual makers, designers, observers or collectives within the field of digital culture who are established in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (the Netherlands, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten). The call focusses on applicants who develop regenerative or mitigating ways of working and embed sustainability in their methods, collaboration and technological choices. The applicant must be registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce or with one within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Read more about the formal conditions in de Open Call Grounding the Cloud.

This open call is for projects within digital culture that contribute to providing insight into and reducing the ecological impact of digital technology. You may apply for grants in relation to new projects, but also to reinterpret or further develop existing initiatives that clearly show scope for more depth or a changed approach. Collaborations in which designers, makers or researchers engage with the theme of sustainability from an intersectional perspective are explicitly encouraged. The grant may be used for artistic and substantive development, research, collaboration, knowledge sharing, presentation and documentation.

Grant applications can be awarded a maximum of € 30,000.The maximum duration of the project is one year.

In preparation for the application, it is important to inform yourself well:

Open Call Grounding the Cloud

The assessment of applications takes place based on the Open Call Grounding the Cloud. This describes the rationale and objective, central questions, criteria and procedure.

Open Call Grant Scheme

The assessment of applications also takes place based on the Open Call Grant Scheme. This describes the general conditions, grounds for refusal, method of publication, method of submission, assessment, allocation and subsidy obligations.

Consultation hours

On Thursday 6 August and Thursday 3 September at 15.00 CEST consultation hours (in English) will be organised, in which the Digital Culture team will tell you more about the call and you can ask questions.

Applications are assessed based on the Open Call Grounding the Cloud and the Open Call Grant Scheme.

Assessment criteria:

• artistic-substantive quality of the proposal;
• significance of the research question for the digital culture field;
• positioning and reflection of the applicant on the theme of the open call;
• degree to which the project is effective in setup, methodology, involved expertise and collaboration.

acceptance

When you have submitted your application, the Fund checks the application against the formal requirements from the Open Call Grant Scheme.

assessment

An independent advisory committee assesses your application based on the Open Call Grounding the Cloud and the Open Call Grant Scheme. The committee issues its advice to the board of the Creative Industries Fund.

ranking

Applications are placed on a ranking list based on the assessment. Projects with the highest assessment are supported until the budget is exhausted. Only positively assessed projects can be supported.

decision

The board incorporates the committee's advice in the decision whether or not to grant the subsidy. No later than eight weeks after the closing date, the Fund will inform you of the decision.

accountability

If you receive a subsidy from the Creative Industries Fund, you also enter into obligations. Two weeks before the completion of your project, you will receive an email request to submit your accountability via the application platform.

Open Call Grounding the Cloud
Open Call Grant Scheme
Budget and Funding Plan Template