Deadline: 10-Feb-2026
The Creative Industries Fund NL Talent Development Grant Scheme provides a €25,000 bursary to support the artistic and professional growth of emerging designers working in design, architecture, digital culture, or cross-disciplinary practices. The scheme enables starting designers to develop their practice over approximately 15 months through artistic exploration, coaching, and increased visibility within the Dutch creative industry.
Programme Overview
The Creative Industries Fund NL Talent Development Grant Scheme supports the artistic and professional development of emerging designers and makers active in design, architecture, digital culture, and crossovers between these fields.
The grant is designed to give starting designers the financial space, time, and resources needed to strengthen their creative practice, build professional capacity, and increase visibility within the creative industries.
Purpose and Goals
The scheme aims to help early-career designers take the next step in their professional development through a clearly defined development plan.
It focuses on artistic growth, strategic reflection, professional positioning, and meaningful engagement with audiences and peers in the creative field.
Grant Amount and Structure
The Talent Development Grant is awarded as a bursary with a total value of €25,000 per recipient.
The grant is divided into three flexible components that allow designers to allocate resources according to their individual development needs.
These components support artistic development, coaching and knowledge acquisition, and activities that enhance visibility or enable knowledge exchange.
Development Plan Requirements
Applicants must submit a structured development plan covering a period of approximately 15 months.
The plan should clearly describe goals, learning objectives, collaborations, and activities that contribute to both artistic and professional growth.
The development trajectory must result in outcomes that are presented to the public or made accessible in an appropriate and relevant way.
Who Is Eligible?
The scheme is open to emerging designers who graduated at least one year ago and no more than four years ago.
Eligible disciplines include design, architecture, digital culture, and interdisciplinary practices connecting these fields.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of submission and qualify as starting designers.
Applicant Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be registered in the Business Register of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce or another recognised Business Register within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Their professional practice must be embedded in the Dutch creative industry or another part of the Kingdom.
The applicant’s CV and portfolio must demonstrate recent professional activity, including at least one relevant project completed within the past 12 months.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The scheme is not intended for students or makers with an autonomous fine art practice.
Designers who have previously received funding through this Talent Development Scheme or an Artist Start grant from the Mondriaan Fund are not eligible to apply.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the Creative Industries Fund NL online application platform during the published application period.
Applications may be written in Dutch or English and must be complete and meet all formal requirements to be considered.
Applications are processed in the order of submission until the maximum number for the round is reached.
Assessment and Selection Process
Eligible applications are reviewed by an independent interdisciplinary advisory committee.
Assessment criteria include artistic and reflective ability, the quality and clarity of the development strategy, the translation of the strategy into concrete activities and collaborations, and how outcomes are shared with relevant audiences.
Only positively assessed applications are eligible for funding, and if demand exceeds the available budget, applications are ranked based on these criteria.
Funding Decisions and Timeline
Grants are awarded subject to the availability of funds allocated by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
The grant ceiling for each application round is published in advance.
Applicants are informed of the funding decision by email within 15 weeks after the application round closes.
Common Tips for Applicants
A strong application clearly explains why the proposed development phase is necessary at this stage of the applicant’s career.
Applicants should demonstrate how coaching, collaboration, and visibility activities contribute directly to long-term professional growth.
Well-articulated outcomes and realistic planning improve the clarity and competitiveness of the proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total value of the Talent Development Grant?
The grant provides a total bursary of €25,000 per recipient.
Who can apply for the scheme?
Emerging designers who graduated between one and four years ago and work in design, architecture, or digital culture are eligible.
How long does the development plan last?
The development plan covers approximately 15 months.
Can the grant be used flexibly?
Yes. The grant is structured to support artistic development, coaching and learning, and activities that enhance visibility or knowledge exchange.
Is prior funding from the Creative Industries Fund NL allowed?
Applicants who have previously received this Talent Development Grant or an Artist Start grant from the Mondriaan Fund are not eligible.
When will applicants receive a decision?
Applicants are notified by email within 15 weeks after the application deadline.
Conclusion
The Creative Industries Fund NL Talent Development Grant Scheme offers significant support for emerging designers ready to deepen their artistic practice and professional positioning.
By combining financial flexibility with structured development planning, the scheme plays a vital role in nurturing new talent and strengthening the future of the Dutch creative industries.
For more information, visit Creative Industries Fund NL.
