Launching the new Artistic & Design Research for Immersive Experiences Grant Scheme

1 April 2025

CIIIC

The Artistic & Design Research for Immersive Experiences Grant Scheme is part of the National Growth Fund programme CIIIC, launched by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science to give a powerful boost to the Dutch Immersive Experiences (IX) industry over the next five years. The implementing partners of CIIIC are the Taskforce for Applied Research SIA (NWO), RVO, TNO and the Creative Industries Fund NL.

‘The digital world is at a turning point. After the internet and mobile technology, we stand on the eve of the third digital wave and a new revolution: a world where digital and physical seamlessly merge. To give the Netherlands a leading position in this international development, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) is launching the largest innovation programme ever in this field: CIIIC. With an investment of 200 million euros and the expertise of leading organisations from research, the creative industry, business and government, the programme contributes to the future of immersive experiences. A future in which CIIIC combines innovation with important public values such as privacy and digital accessibility.’

applying

The Artistic & Design Research for Immersive Experiences Grant Scheme consists of two rounds in 2025. In the first application round, a total budget of € 250,000 is available. In this round, € 50,000 subsidy can be applied for to develop plans for a two-year programme. Co-financing is not required here. A maximum of five consortiums will be selected.

Only plans that receive support in the first round can apply for the second application round of this grant scheme. A total budget of € 6,500,000 is available in the second round. A maximum of € 1,300,000 subsidy is available per consortium to implement the activities programme for 2026-2027. This is subject to a co-financing requirement of at least € 400,000.

The formal conditions, criteria, objectives and assessment process are now available on the web page of this grant scheme. The grant period for the first round is open from 6 May 2025, 10:00 CEST to 23 May 2025, 17:00 CEST. During this grant period a maximum of 60 applications will be processed.

New application rounds will be published in 2026 - and are also expected to be published in 2027-2029.

online consultation hour

During an online consultation hour on Thursday 10 April 2025, from 15:00 to 16:30 CEST, project leader Tim Terpstra, head of grant programmes Joris van Ballegooijen and Fund staff members Niki Golob and Timo Meilof will provide information about this new grant scheme and answer questions. Signing up for the online consultation hour is now possible.

matchmaking session

We are organising a matchmaking session for target groups eligible for a grant, in Utrecht on Thursday 17 April 2025 from 15:00 to 17:00 CEST. During this meeting, parties can get in touch with each other, to establish partnerships that can contribute to the development of – and innovation within – the Dutch IX work field. You can already apply via the application form on this page, but make sure you have carefully read through the grant page first to see if you are eligible for the scheme.

any questions?

In the coming period, we will keep you informed about this grant scheme and the programme through our website, social media and newsletters. More information on CIIIC can be found at www.ciiic.nl. You can also email specific questions to ADRIE@stimuleringsfonds.nl.