Open Call: Fresh Perspectives Grant Programme (Netherlands)

Deadline: 25-Aug-2026

The Fresh Perspectives Grant Programme supports designers, architects, and makers in developing innovative cross-sector collaborations that address major societal challenges such as climate change, housing, migration, polarisation, and inequality of opportunity. The programme offers a two-phase funding structure, providing up to €10,000 for project exploration and development, followed by up to €50,000 for full project implementation.

About the Fresh Perspectives Grant Programme

The Fresh Perspectives Grant Programme is designed to encourage creative professionals to work across disciplines and sectors to develop innovative solutions to complex social, political, and economic issues.

The programme recognizes the value of design, architecture, and creative practice as tools for social innovation, public engagement, and systemic change. Through collaboration with non-creative sector partners, participants are encouraged to create meaningful interventions that generate practical and lasting impact.

The programme supports both experimentation and implementation, enabling projects to move from concept development to real-world application.

Program Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Encourage cross-sector collaboration between creative professionals and external partners.
• Develop innovative responses to pressing societal challenges.
• Strengthen the role of design, architecture, and making in addressing public issues.
• Support research, experimentation, and prototyping.
• Promote knowledge sharing and public engagement.
• Generate scalable and impactful solutions through collaborative practice.

Priority Themes

Projects must address at least one of the following societal challenges:

• Climate and environmental sustainability.
• Housing and living environments.
• Social and political polarisation.
• Migration and integration.
• Inequality of opportunity and social inclusion.

Projects should demonstrate how creative methodologies can contribute to understanding or addressing these challenges.

Funding Structure

The programme consists of two funding phases.

Phase 1: Exploration and Development

Funding Details:

• 10 grants available.
• Grant amount: €10,000 per project.
• Maximum duration: 5 months.
• Project period: 1 December 2026 – 30 April 2027.

Phase 1 activities may include:

• Research and exploration.
• Partnership development.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Early-stage experimentation.
• Prototype development.
• Testing and validation of concepts.

Expected outcomes:

• A clearly defined project plan.
• A project budget.
• A collaboration agreement.
• A proposal for implementation in Phase 2.

Phase 2: Project Implementation

Funding Details:

• 10 grants available.
• Grant amount: €50,000 per project.
• Maximum duration: 12 months.
• Project period: 1 September 2027 – 31 August 2028.

Phase 2 activities focus on:

• Full implementation of the project.
• Delivery of tangible outcomes.
• Public engagement and dissemination.
• Impact measurement and evaluation.

Eligible outputs may include:

• Interventions.
• Events and exhibitions.
• Publications.
• Services.
• Products.
• Processes and methodologies.
• Community engagement initiatives.

Knowledge-sharing activities are mandatory and may include:

• Symposia.
• Public presentations.
• Reports and publications.
• Workshops.
• Other dissemination formats.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be designers, architects, or makers.
• Have operated an independent professional practice for at least four years.
• Work within design, architecture, or digital culture disciplines.
• Apply as an individual, duo, or collective.
• Act as the lead applicant and project coordinator.
• Be responsible for grant administration and project management.

Applicants must demonstrate professional experience and the ability to lead collaborative projects.

Partnership Requirements

A key requirement of the programme is collaboration with at least one partner outside the creative industry.

Eligible partners may include:

• Universities and research institutions.
• Archives and cultural repositories.
• Laboratories and innovation hubs.
• Public platforms and networks.
• Community initiatives.
• Social and non-profit organisations.
• Municipal or government bodies.
• Public sector institutions.

At least one project partner must possess proven expertise related to the selected social theme.

The lead designer, architect, or maker remains the primary applicant and grant recipient.

How the Programme Works

• Identify a societal challenge aligned with one of the programme themes.
• Build a partnership with at least one non-creative sector organisation.
• Develop an initial project concept and collaboration framework.
• Submit a Phase 1 application.
• Conduct research, exploration, and prototype development during Phase 1.
• Prepare a project plan, implementation strategy, budget, and collaboration agreement.
• Submit a new application for Phase 2 upon successful completion of Phase 1.
• Present the project proposal to the advisory committee.
• Receive Phase 2 funding if selected.
• Implement the project and deliver agreed outcomes.
• Conduct mandatory knowledge-sharing activities.

Selection Criteria

Applications are likely to be assessed based on:

• Relevance to one of the programme themes.
• Quality of the proposed collaboration.
• Innovation and creativity.
• Social relevance and potential impact.
• Feasibility of implementation.
• Expertise of project partners.
• Quality of knowledge-sharing plans.
• Potential for long-term value and learning.

Why This Programme Matters

Many societal challenges require collaboration across sectors, disciplines, and areas of expertise.

The Fresh Perspectives Grant Programme helps:

• Connect creative professionals with social and institutional partners.
• Encourage experimentation and innovation.
• Develop practical responses to complex societal issues.
• Strengthen public engagement through design and architecture.
• Create new models of collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Generate solutions that can influence communities, policies, and systems.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly define the societal challenge being addressed.
• Demonstrate why a creative approach is valuable.
• Build strong partnerships with relevant experts.
• Present realistic objectives and timelines.
• Show evidence of partner commitment.
• Explain expected social impact and outcomes.
• Include a strong knowledge-sharing strategy.
• Demonstrate the project’s long-term relevance.

Common Application Mistakes

• Failing to establish a qualified external partner.
• Proposing projects without clear social relevance.
• Presenting vague implementation plans.
• Underestimating collaboration requirements.
• Providing weak evidence of thematic expertise.
• Focusing solely on artistic outcomes rather than societal impact.
• Neglecting knowledge-sharing activities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Fresh Perspectives Grant Programme?

The Fresh Perspectives Grant Programme funds designers, architects, and makers who collaborate with external partners to develop innovative solutions to major societal challenges.

How much funding is available?

Phase 1 provides grants of €10,000 for project exploration and development. Phase 2 provides grants of €50,000 for full project implementation.

What themes are supported?

Projects must address climate, housing, polarisation, migration, or inequality of opportunity.

Who can apply?

Designers, architects, and makers with at least four years of professional practice in design, architecture, or digital culture may apply individually or as collectives.

Is collaboration mandatory?

Yes. Applicants must collaborate with at least one partner from outside the creative industry, and at least one partner must have expertise related to the selected social theme.

Can applicants apply directly for Phase 2?

No. Applicants must first complete Phase 1 successfully and then submit a new application, including written materials and a presentation to the advisory committee.

What types of outcomes are expected?

Projects may produce interventions, events, publications, services, products, processes, or other tangible outputs, along with mandatory knowledge-sharing activities.

Conclusion

The Fresh Perspectives Grant Programme provides a valuable opportunity for experienced designers, architects, and makers to collaborate across sectors and address pressing societal issues. Through a two-stage funding model that supports both experimentation and implementation, the programme enables creative professionals to transform innovative ideas into impactful projects that contribute to social change, public engagement, and knowledge sharing.

For more information, visit Creative Industries Fund NL.