Frequently asked questions about subsidy applications and tips
In the current circumstances, the Fund aims to be a stable factor for the field, to keep the basic grant programmes running as well as possible and to be accessible. Myrthe Kramer, Ilona Meijer and Loraine Leocadio Rocha, who all three work at the secretariat, are the first points of contact for the Fund. At the moment they're working from home, like their other colleagues. Every day they receive a wide range of questions about the application procedure, the online application system and, of course, COVID-19. Here you will find answers to current frequently asked questions, plus some practical tips for your grant application.
27 September 2021
1. How is the Fund dealing with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic?
We have produced a separate news item about our accommodating policy, which you can read here. The Fund advises that applications should demonstrate a sense of reality and respond to current events, where relevant.
2. Up until what time can I submit my application on the closing date?
You can submit the online application form until 23.59 on the closing date. We strongly advise you to submit your application earlier due to the potential volume of traffic on the server.
3. When will I receive the result of my application?
You will receive an e-mail with the result 10 weeks from the closing date of the grant programme.
4. Is there a sample application I can have a look at?
No, but refer to the Grant Application Guide of the grant scheme of open call of your choice before submitting your application. The guide provides advice with regard to the grant application and drawing up the project plan, budget and communication plan.
5. Can I submit an application to more than one grant programme at the same time?
No. It is not possible to apply for more than one grant programme for a single project.
6. Can I resubmit the same project after receiving a negative decision?
If your project has been rejected, it is not possible to submit the plan again within six months. You can, however, submit a revised application. In a revised application, you respond to the feedback from the advisory committee. A revised application should contain sufficient new information to allow a new advice to be issued. The staff assess whether the proposal has been adjusted sufficiently to allow it to be presented for evaluation again.
7. What is the maximum amount I can apply for?
The amount of the Fund's contribution depends on various factors, including reasonableness of the application and the degree of co-financing. There are no maximum amounts. For each grant programme and round, a maximum available budget is set; you can find this on the website. For each grant programme, there is a list of supported projects, including the amounts granted. This gives a good impression. For information about the breakdown of the total annual budget, please refer to the annual report.
8. Am I more likely to get a grant in the last round of the year or the first round of the year?
The Fund establishes an available budget for each grant programme and for each round, which you can find on the website. So it makes no difference whether you apply at the beginning or the end of the year.
9. If I'm still studying, can I apply?
No, students are not eligible. The Fund focuses on professionals working in the creative industry. In order to receive a grant from the Fund, the applicant must be registered in the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) business register, or a foreign equivalent.
10. What's an fte?
Fte means full-time equivalent, a unit expressing the number of people employed or the size of a person's job.
11. How many ftes should I fill in if I'm a freelancer, but I'm working together with several people on the project?
You only fill in the number of ftes working within your organization; as a freelancer you fill in 1 fte for a full-time working week and for example 0.2, 0.5 of 0.8 fte for part-time depending on the part of the week you work.
12. Is the grant reference the same as the application number?
Yes, those are the same numbers.
13. What hourly rate can I use in my budget? Is there a standard amount for this?
The Fund contributes a maximum of € 75 excl. VAT to the hourly rate of the applicant and equivalent collaboration partner. For a guideline on hourly rates, please refer to the website of the Fair Practice Code for more information.
14. I cannot change my bank account number in my application. Where can I edit this information?
At the question 'are the bank details correct' in the application form at Organization 1.2, if you click 'no', fields will appear in which you can type.
15. My files are larger than indicated, what should I do?
Tip: lower the resolution of your images or compress your PDFs.
You should not send the documents to the Fund by e-mail or via WeTransfer.
16. What should you do if you're not yet registered with the Chamber of Commerce but would like to apply in the meantime?
You can simply submit the application and upload an empty document instead of the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) form. However, we will need your KvK registration number within a few weeks. A grant cannot be awarded without a KvK number.
Tip 1: Create an account in good time in the online application environment. You may not receive the confirmation e-mail until the next working day.
Tip 2: Before starting an application, please refer to the Grant Application Guide of the grant scheme of open call of your choice for guidance on drawing up the project plan, budget and communication plan.
Tip 3: Do not wait until the last minute to submit your application. The server is busy around 23:59 on the closing date, which can cause delays and your application may not be submitted on time. The application round closes after 00:00 (midnight). You are strongly advised to submit your application earlier, preferably during office hours.
frequently asked questions
Do you have any other questions? Take a look at the extensive overview at Frequently Asked Questions.
Is your question not answered there? Call +31(0)10 436 16 00 or send an e-mail to Myrthe Kramer, Ilona Meijer or Loraine Leocadio Rocha at info@stimuleringsfonds.nl.
