Talent Development Grant Scheme

The Talent Development Grant Scheme is open to up-and-coming designers and makers who have up to four years of work experience in the field of design, architecture or digital culture in the Netherlands or in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Applications can be submitted by:
1. designers and makers who graduated no more than four years ago from one of these design or architecture programmes; in the first selection phase applications are made through the Talent Development Grant Scheme;
2. designers and makers who have developed professionally in practice, without having completed a design programme; in the first selection phase applications are made through the Scout Nights 2023;
3. designers and makers who have completed MBO education in a design direction; in the first selection phase applications are made through the Scout Nights 2023.

All applicants selected in the first phase (through the grant scheme or Scout Nights) will make an application through the Talent Development Grant Scheme in the second selection phase.

Read the Talent Development Grant Scheme for conditions and restrictions.

With this grant scheme, you can apply for a grant of € 25,000. The grant allows you to invest for a year in the development of your practice.

The grant consists of three parts:
- one freely disposable part intended for your own artistic and professional development;
- one part for the professionalization of your personal practice;
- one part for presentation purposes.

The selection in this grant scheme is made in two phases.

first selection phase
Designers and makers who graduated from one of these design or architecture programmes no more than four years ago, can apply through the Talent Development Grant Scheme in the first selection phase. Selection is based on an application form, CV and portfolio. Applications are submitted via the online application environment. Please note that accounts for this can be created until 27 January 2023.

second selection phase
If you are selected in the first selection phase (via the grant scheme or the Scout Nights), you will receive € 1,000 for drawing up a development plan. The development plan will form the core of your application in the second selection phase. The advisory committee of the Talent Development Grant Scheme will make the final selection on the basis of the development plans. The selected designers and makers will receive the grant of € 25,000.

Please note: Designers and makers who have professionally developed without having completed a design or architecture course at college or university level will apply in the first selection phase through the Scout Nights 2023.

In order to prepare the application, it is important for you to acquire the right information based on the following documents:

Talent Development Guidelines
For your application in the first selection phase, we will ask you to answer seven motivation questions in the application form. Together, these answers form your motivation letter. You can take a look at the questions in the Talent Development Guidelines phase 1.

The guidelines also provide you an explanation of the motivation questions and of the assessment criteria and tips on preparing your grant application. You can use it for drawing up your application as completely as possible.

If you are selected in the first phase, use the Talent Development Guidelines phase 2 when putting up your development plan.

Talent Development Grant Scheme
The assessment of applications takes place on the basis of the Talent Development Grant Scheme. This describes the conditions, criteria and objectives.

Applications are assessed by this scheme’s advisory committee.
This is done on the basis of the Talent Development Grant Scheme.

assessment criteria for the first phase
- the quality of the work;
- environmental awareness and positioning;
- development capability;
- the extent to which the applicant’s practice can potentially be considered as distinctive within the creative industry

The criteria for the first phase are explained in the Talent Development Guidelines phase 1.

assessment criteria for the second phase
- the quality of the applicant’s work in relation to the development plan;
- the practice’s environmental awareness and positioning within the area of expertise and in the social context;
- development capability;
- the degree to which the development plan and proposed activities contribute to the development of a distinctive and meaningful practice within the creative industry.

The criteria for the first phase are explained in the Talent Development Guidelines phase 2.

acceptance
When you have submitted your application, the Fund Desk will check if your application complies with the formal requirements of the Talent Development Grant Scheme.

assessment
The selection is made in two phases. An independent advisory committee assesses your application on the basis of the Talent Development Grant Scheme. The committee advises the Fund’s Board.

ranking
Applications received will be ranked according to the scores allotted to them by the advisory committee. The number of grants available determines whether or not your application belongs to the selection. Only positively assessed applications will be supported.

If, based on their average score, applications end up on an equal ranking position, and the available number of grants in the first phase is exceeded with these applications, these applications will be ranked as follows:
- First, prioritization is based on the awarded score on the ‘quality of the work’ criterion.
- Next, prioritization is based on ‘degree of contribution to greater diversity and inclusion within the design field’.

decision
The Board takes account of the committee’s advice in its decision on the rejection or provision of the grant. You will be notified of the result by means of a decision. Individual feedback is not given in the first phase.

All those selected from the first phase will receive more information about the second phase by e-mail. If you have any questions or something is not clear? Please contact talentontwikkeling@stimuleringsfonds.nl.

The final selection will be announced in August 2023. All applicants in this phase will receive individual feedback.

accountability
If you receive a grant from the Fund, then you will have to comply with the obligations. At the end of your development year, you will receive an e-mail request to submit your justification via the application environment.

Talent Development Grant Scheme
Talent Development Guidelines phase 1
Talent Development Guidelines phase 2

Please note: The grant scheme refers to rounds. Round 1 is for designers and makers who have professionally developed without having completed a design or architecture course at college or university level. Round 2 are the Scout Nights 2023. And round 3 is the second selection phase.