Deadline: 01-Sep-2025
Applicants are now invited to submit applications for the development of prototypes (incl. pilot production or sample collection).
Funding Information
- Up to CHF 20,000
- Additional individual coaching measures are possible
Eligible Projects
- To be eligible for support, projects must:
- Have a clear connection to Switzerland
- Be of nationwide importance
- Be adequately co-funded by other public or private means
- Respects/guarantee fair working conditions
Eligibility Criteria
- Emerging Talents’ are professional designers whose design-relevant training or registration (self-employed, sole proprietorship, company) dates back less than seven years.
- A connection to Switzerland is given, if one of the following conditions is met:
- The production or project in question is developed or implemented by artists and cultural practitioners, who verifiably hold Swiss citizenship or are permanent residents of Switzerland and who are regularly artistically involved in relevant events in Switzerland.
- The project is created, developed, or implemented by an independent group or cultural institution whose place of production is in Switzerland and who is regularly and publicly active in Switzerland.
- Nationwide relevance is given, if one of the following conditions is met:
- The art and cultural practitioners participating in the project are regularly involved in programmes of nationally recognised art and cultural institutions in Swiss regions other than their own or abroad, and the project in question has a transregional appeal.
- The artistic potential of an emerging art practitioner involved is exceptional in terms of a national or international career.
- The project makes a significant contribution to the development of Swiss artistic and cultural production and its dissemination.
- The project is of significant importance for the exchange between Switzerland’s various linguistic regions.
Restrictions
- Pro Helvetia is unable to consider funding requests if:
- The same part of the submitted project is already received funding from other federal bodies (e.g. Federal Office of Culture, Presence Switzerland, Swiss National Science Foundation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation)
- The project is part of a school or university curriculum/basic training or continuing education programme (including dissertations, diploma projects, university scholarships, etc.)
- Funding is intended to cover infrastructure and equipment costs, as well as the costs of operating cultural facilities, archives and collections
- The project does not depend on funding from Pro Helvetia
Selection Criteria
- Strong design reference
- Feasibility, high degree of innovation and marketability
- Demonstrable sustainability concept
- Copyright and rights of use are held by the project owner.
- At least 50% of the participants are Swiss citizens or permanent residents whose place of work is in Switzerland.
Assessment Criteria
- The Foundation assesses whether:
- The project demonstrates high degree of independence and professional competence as well as social and thematic relevance
- The project is implemented according to professional standards
- The costs are commensurate with the expected impact
- A lasting impact can be expected
- Furthermore, the Foundation attaches great importance to the following aspects:
- The project has an appropriate commitment to diversity.
- Resources are used in an ecologically responsible manner and work and production are planned sustainably.
Application Requirements
- Concept (max. 10 A4 pages) incl.:
- Project description with project development plan, production and marketing plan
- Value proposition (form available on application portal under ‘Attachments’)
- Prototype plans and initial visualisations
- Resume and portfolio of the participants, as well as an overview of the project’s organisation including responsibilities and structure
- Proof of status as an Emerging Talent: diploma or proof of registration (as self-employed, a sole proprietorship, or a company)
- Detailed budget incl. information on own labour input and financial plan
- All documents must in principle be submitted in English.
For more information, visit Pro Helvetia.