Concept Development Support for Emerging Designers (Switzerland)

Deadline: 01-Sep-2026

The Pro Helvetia Emerging Talents Concept Grant provides up to CHF 10,000 to support early-stage design projects in Switzerland before prototype development. The program funds research, concept development, feasibility studies, and project preparation for emerging professional designers, with additional coaching available for selected projects.

Pro Helvetia Emerging Talents Concept Grant Overview

The Pro Helvetia Emerging Talents Concept Grant supports professional designers in transforming innovative ideas into well-developed concepts before moving to the prototype stage.

The funding enables designers to conduct research, validate ideas, assess feasibility, and refine project concepts while strengthening innovation, sustainability, and market readiness.

The program is specifically designed for emerging talents in the Swiss design sector and aims to help designers establish a strong foundation for future prototype development and commercialization.

Funding Available

Successful applicants may receive:

• Grant amount: Up to CHF 10,000
• Additional support: Individual coaching measures, where appropriate

The funding supports the concept development phase and is intended to prepare projects for subsequent prototype creation.

Program Objectives

The grant aims to:

• Support early-stage design innovation.
• Strengthen concept development before prototyping.
• Improve project feasibility.
• Encourage sustainable design practices.
• Promote market-ready design solutions.
• Foster innovation within the Swiss design sector.
• Support fair working conditions.
• Help emerging designers develop commercially viable projects.

Priority Focus Areas

Projects should focus on one or more of the following:

Concept Development

• Developing innovative design concepts before prototype production.
• Refining project ideas.
• Defining project vision and objectives.

Research Activities

Funding may support:

• Material research.
• Functional research.
• Design experimentation.
• User and market research.

Project Preparation

Activities may include:

• Process planning.
• Technical preparation.
• Design refinement.
• Development planning.

Feasibility Assessment

Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate:

• Technical feasibility.
• Production feasibility.
• Market feasibility.
• Business viability.

Innovation and Sustainability

Projects should show:

• High levels of innovation.
• Sustainable design concepts.
• Responsible production approaches.
• Long-term market potential.

Who Is Eligible?

The program is open to Emerging Talents, including professional designers whose:

• Design-related education was completed less than seven years ago, or
• Registration as a self-employed professional, sole proprietorship, or company occurred within the last seven years.

Eligibility Requirements

Projects must:

• Have a clear connection to Switzerland.
• Demonstrate nationwide relevance.
• Receive co-funding from public or private sources.
• Guarantee fair working conditions.
• Ensure that at least 50% of participants are Swiss citizens or permanent residents whose place of work is in Switzerland.
• Demonstrate ownership of copyright and usage rights by the project owner.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Strong design quality.
• Innovative project concept.
• Technical feasibility.
• Marketability.
• Sustainability concept.
• Project preparation quality.
• Ownership of intellectual property rights.
• Potential for future development.

What the Grant Supports

Funding may be used for:

• Concept development.
• Design research.
• Material exploration.
• Functional testing.
• Development planning.
• Feasibility studies.
• Design refinement.
• Project preparation.
• Sustainability planning.

The program supports activities before prototype creation.

Additional Coaching Support

Depending on project needs, selected applicants may also receive:

• Individual mentoring.
• Professional coaching.
• Expert guidance.
• Strategic project development support.

This coaching complements the financial grant and helps strengthen project outcomes.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit:

Project Concept

A concept of up to five A4 pages including:

• Project description.
• Visuals or sketches.
• Development plan.
• Overall project vision.

CV and Portfolio

Applicants must provide:

• Curriculum vitae of participants.
• Professional portfolios demonstrating relevant experience.

Proof of Emerging Talent Status

Examples include:

• Diploma.
• Registration as self-employed.
• Sole proprietorship registration.
• Company registration documents.

Budget

A detailed project budget including:

• Personal labour input.
• Estimated project costs.
• Financial planning.

Language Requirements

Application documents are generally required in:

• English

Applicants should ensure all supporting documents comply with language requirements.

Why This Grant Matters

The Concept Grant helps emerging designers:

• Develop stronger project foundations.
• Reduce development risks.
• Improve innovation quality.
• Test ideas before prototyping.
• Strengthen commercial potential.
• Build sustainable design solutions.
• Access expert coaching.
• Prepare for future funding opportunities.

Supporting concept development increases the likelihood of successful prototype production and market entry.

How to Apply

Follow these general steps:

1. Confirm your Emerging Talent eligibility.
2. Develop a strong design concept.
3. Conduct preliminary research.
4. Prepare a project concept (maximum five A4 pages).
5. Gather portfolios and CVs.
6. Prepare proof of eligibility.
7. Develop a detailed project budget.
8. Submit all application documents in English through the official application process.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your chances of success:

• Clearly explain the design challenge.
• Demonstrate originality and innovation.
• Present realistic development plans.
• Show strong market potential.
• Explain sustainability considerations.
• Include high-quality visuals or sketches.
• Demonstrate technical feasibility.
• Clearly define project ownership and copyright.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

• Applying without meeting Emerging Talent eligibility.
• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Providing vague project concepts.
• Failing to explain market relevance.
• Omitting sustainability considerations.
• Presenting unrealistic budgets.
• Not demonstrating a connection to Switzerland.
• Failing to document copyright ownership.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Pro Helvetia Emerging Talents Concept Grant?

It is a funding program that provides up to CHF 10,000 to support early-stage design concept development before prototype creation.

2. How much funding is available?

Successful applicants may receive up to CHF 10,000, with additional individual coaching available for selected projects.

3. Who can apply?

Professional designers whose design-related education or business registration dates back less than seven years may apply if they meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

4. What activities can the funding support?

Funding supports concept development, research, feasibility studies, project preparation, material research, functional testing, and sustainability planning before prototype development.

5. What are the Switzerland-related requirements?

Projects must have a clear connection to Switzerland, demonstrate nationwide relevance, receive co-funding, ensure fair working conditions, and involve at least 50% Swiss citizens or permanent residents working in Switzerland.

6. What documents are required?

Applicants must submit a project concept (maximum five A4 pages), CVs, portfolios, proof of Emerging Talent status, and a detailed project budget including labour input.

7. What makes a competitive application?

Strong applications demonstrate excellent design quality, innovation, feasibility, sustainability, market potential, clear project ownership, and a well-developed concept supported by realistic planning.

Conclusion

The Pro Helvetia Emerging Talents Concept Grant 2026 provides up to CHF 10,000 to help emerging professional designers transform innovative ideas into well-developed concepts before prototype production. By funding research, feasibility studies, design refinement, and project preparation, the program strengthens Switzerland’s design ecosystem and supports the development of sustainable, innovative, and commercially viable design projects with long-term impact.

For more information, visit Pro Helvetia.