Deadline: 13-Feb-2026
The Nordic Culture Fund’s Project Support programme funds cross-border artistic and cultural projects that strengthen Nordic collaboration and innovation. It offers grants of up to DKK 500,000 for projects with a clear Nordic dimension, strong artistic ambition, and at least 50% co-financing.
The programme is open to a wide range of applicants worldwide and prioritises collaborative projects that develop new cultural practices, expressions, or partnership models across countries.
Overview of the Programme
The Nordic Culture Fund’s Project Support programme is designed to stimulate the development of art and cultural life in the Nordic region while strengthening long-term Nordic connections. It supports collaborative cultural projects that involve partners from different countries and place cross-border cooperation at the core of their activities.
The programme is particularly suited to projects in their establishment or development phase and to initiatives that experiment with new artistic expressions, cultural formats, or innovative models of collaboration.
Strategic Focus and Nordic Dimension
A defining requirement of the programme is a strong and clearly articulated Nordic dimension.
Applicants must demonstrate how the project contributes to Nordic cultural exchange, cooperation, or shared cultural development. This includes explaining the relevance of the Nordic context, identifying key stakeholders, and situating the project within a broader cultural and artistic landscape.
Collaboration between actors from different countries is not optional but fundamental to eligibility.
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The Project Support programme funds a broad range of artistic and cultural initiatives, provided they are collaborative and cross-border in nature.
Supported projects may include:
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Artistic productions and cultural events
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Development of new artistic practices or cultural formats
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Experimental or interdisciplinary cultural projects
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Cross-border networks and partnerships
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Projects building on earlier initiatives with clear further development
Projects based on previous work must demonstrate innovation and progression rather than repetition.
Funding Amount and Co-Financing Requirements
The Nordic Culture Fund provides project-based grants with defined financial conditions.
Key funding details include:
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Maximum grant amount: DKK 500,000
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Limited number of grants at or above DKK 300,000
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Minimum co-financing requirement: 50% of the total project budget
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Support often focused on establishment or development phases
Co-financing can consist of cash contributions, confirmed or pending external funding, partner contributions, or in-kind support.
Who Is Eligible?
The programme is open and inclusive in terms of applicant profiles and geographic location.
Eligible applicants include:
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Cultural actors and artists
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Public organisations and institutions
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Private organisations and companies
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Associations, foundations, and similar entities
There are no nationality restrictions. Applicants and partners may be based outside the Nordic region, provided the project itself has a clear Nordic relevance and involves cross-border collaboration.
Geographic and Partnership Requirements
Eligible projects must be based on joint efforts between actors from different countries.
Key partnership expectations include:
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Active collaboration across national borders
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Clearly defined roles for each partner
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Shared responsibility for project development and implementation
Single-country projects without meaningful international collaboration are not eligible.
How the Project Support Programme Works
Step 1: Develop a Cross-Border Concept
Applicants design a project that involves partners from multiple countries and addresses a shared artistic or cultural objective within a Nordic context.
Step 2: Define the Nordic Dimension
The application must clearly explain how the project contributes to Nordic cultural cooperation and why the Nordic perspective is essential to the project’s goals.
Step 3: Prepare a Balanced Project Budget
A complete and balanced budget is mandatory and must be prepared using the Nordic Culture Fund’s official budget template.
Step 4: Secure Co-Financing
Applicants must demonstrate at least 50% co-financing through a mix of own contributions, partners, external funding, or in-kind support.
Step 5: Submit the Application
All required documents, including the project description and budget, are submitted according to the Nordic Culture Fund’s application guidelines.
Budget Rules and Financial Reporting
A balanced budget is a core eligibility requirement.
Important budget rules include:
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All income and expenses must be clearly listed
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Income may include partner contributions, grants, and in-kind support
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In-kind contributions may cover volunteer work or provided resources
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Budgets may be prepared in any currency
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A final summary in Danish kroner (DKK) is mandatory
The Nordic Culture Fund operates exclusively in DKK, and all financial assessments are made in Danish kroner.
How Applications Are Assessed
Applications are evaluated on both artistic and organisational criteria.
Key assessment factors include:
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Artistic or cultural quality and ambition
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Degree of innovation and development
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Clarity of methods and implementation plan
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Strength and relevance of cross-border collaboration
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Overall coherence between objectives, activities, and budget
Projects must demonstrate a clear logic from concept to execution.
Why This Programme Matters
The Nordic Culture Fund Project Support programme plays a vital role in strengthening cultural cooperation across borders.
It helps:
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Foster long-term Nordic cultural networks
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Support experimental and innovative artistic practices
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Enable collaboration beyond national and regional boundaries
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Strengthen the international visibility of Nordic cultural life
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Encourage sustainable partnerships in the arts and culture sector
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following issues:
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Weak or unclear Nordic dimension
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Collaboration that is superficial rather than integral
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Budgets that are unbalanced or incomplete
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Insufficient explanation of artistic or cultural innovation
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Treating co-financing as optional rather than mandatory
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Nordic Culture Fund Project Support programme?
It is a funding scheme that supports cross-border artistic and cultural projects that strengthen Nordic collaboration and cultural development.
Who can apply for this funding?
Cultural actors, artists, public and private organisations, associations, and similar entities can apply, regardless of nationality or location.
What is the maximum grant amount?
The maximum grant is DKK 500,000, although only a limited number of projects receive DKK 300,000 or more.
Is co-financing required?
Yes. Projects must demonstrate at least 50% co-financing of the total budget.
Do applicants need to be based in the Nordic region?
No. Applicants may be based outside the Nordic region, as long as the project has a strong Nordic dimension and cross-border collaboration.
Can the programme fund follow-up projects?
Yes. Projects building on previous initiatives may be supported if there is clear further development and innovation.
In what currency should the budget be submitted?
Budgets may be prepared in any currency but must be summarised in Danish kroner (DKK).
Conclusion
The Nordic Culture Fund’s Project Support programme is a key funding opportunity for artists and cultural organisations seeking to develop innovative, collaborative projects with a strong Nordic dimension. By prioritising cross-border cooperation, artistic ambition, and financial sustainability, the programme supports cultural initiatives that strengthen connections across countries and contribute to the long-term development of Nordic cultural life.
For more information, visit Nordic Cultural Foundation.
