Talent Development Grant Scheme

For the artistic and professional development of emerging designers and makers active in the field of design, architecture or digital culture and crossovers between them.

closed

closing date passed

€ 1,000

grant amount first phase

€ 25,000

grant amount second phase

Important information

who is this scheme intended for?

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. Design, architecture and digital culture include disciplines such as animation and illustration, biodesign, games, graphic design, fashion and textiles, sound design, urban making and garden and landscape architecture. You can apply as an individual designer or maker or in collaboration, for example as a duo or collective.

The Talent Development Grant Scheme is not for:

- designers and makers who graduated more than four years ago;
- makers with an autonomous visual arts practice;
- designers and makers not working in the Dutch creative industry.

Do you doubt whether you are eligible for a grant through the Talent Development Grant Scheme? Then contact us. On Talent Platform you can see who we previously supported through the Talent Development Grant Scheme.

what can a grant be applied for?

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 artistic and professional development;
- one part for the professionalization of your practice;
- one part for presentation purposes.

what are the stages of the selection procedure?

The selection in the Talent Development Grant Scheme occurs in two phases. View the timeline of the grant scheme.

first selection phase

Designers and makers who completed a design or architecture course at college or university level 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.

For designers or makers who have completed an MBO design course or who have developed professionally independently, there are the Scout Nights.

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.

Timeline Talent Development Grant Scheme

how do you prepare an application?

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

Talent Development Guidelines

In the Talent Development Guidelines Phase 1, you can take a look at the motivation questions we will ask you in the application environment and you will find tools and tips for preparing your grant application.

If you are selected in the first phase, use the Talent Development Guidelines Phase 2 to draw 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.

consultation hour

Do you have a question or difficulty reading the grant scheme or writing your application? Then sign up for an online consultation hour or send your question by e-mail.

what is assessed?

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.

what happens to your application?

acceptance

When you have submitted your application, the Fund 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 only given by phone 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 us.

The final selection will be announced in August 2024. 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.

three frequently asked questions

1. The first selection phase of the Talent Development Grant Scheme is partly through the grant scheme and partly through scout nights. Who are the Scout Nights for?

The Scout Nights are for designers or makers who have completed MBO education in a design direction or who have developed professionally independently and have not completed design or architecture courses at college or university level. Selection through the Scout Nights is made on the basis of a live pitch.

2. Can I use the grant to carry out an artistic project?

The Talent Development Grant Scheme is aimed at developing the artistic and professional practice of up-and-coming designers and makers. If you only want to apply for funding for a stand-alone artistic project, you can go to the Design, Architecture and Digital Culture grant schemes.

3. I have an autonomous visual arts practice. Can I then also apply to the Talent Development Grant Scheme?

Artists with an autonomous visual art practice are not supported through the Talent Development Scheme. They can apply to the Artist Start Grant Scheme of the Mondriaan Fund.

essential documents

Hoe kom je tot een overtuigende aanvraag?

tip 1

be clear and do not repeat yourself

tip 2

support your proposal with visuals

tip 3

draw up a realistic budget

tip 4

take into your account your fee and those of partners

tip 5

ask for feedback and fine-tune your proposal

Steps to take

Do you want to apply for a subsidy under this grant scheme?

Start your application
do you have any questions?

If some of the information is not clear, email your question to Sharvin Ramjan, Maria van der Togt or Chloë Neeleman of team Talentdevelopment. You can also ask your question during one of our online consultation hours or call on 010 436 16 00. If you have a more general question, have a look at our frequently asked questions first.