Deadline: 01-Mar-2026
The Pro Helvetia Game Design Emerging Talents Production Grant offers up to CHF 50,000 in matching funds for professional Swiss game developers to finalize and commercialize interactive digital projects. Eligible applicants include studios and designers with less than seven years of experience who can secure equivalent third-party or self-financing. The program emphasizes artistic originality, market potential, and sustainable production standards.
The Game Design Emerging Talents Production Grant is a specialized funding instrument managed by Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council. It is designed to bridge the gap between prototyping and commercial release for the next generation of Swiss game developers. By providing significant financial backing and professional coaching, the program aims to strengthen the Swiss interactive media ecosystem on a global scale.
Why It Matters: Boosting the Swiss Gaming Industry
This grant is a cornerstone for innovation in Switzerland’s digital creative sector.
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Financial De-risking: The CHF 50,000 matching grant provides essential liquidity to studios at a critical development stage.
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Professionalization: Access to expert coaching helps emerging studios navigate complex business landscapes and distribution channels.
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Cultural Impact: Supports games that contribute to the Swiss cultural identity and encourage linguistic exchange between regions.
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Market Readiness: Focuses on projects with clear commercialization strategies and global market potential.
Key Concepts and Definitions
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Emerging Talent: Professional game designers whose relevant education or company foundation (as a legal entity) dates back less than 7 years.
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Matching Grant: A funding model where Pro Helvetia matches the amount of own or third-party funding secured by the applicant (up to the CHF 50,000 cap).
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Vertical Slice: A playable portion of a game that showcases its main features, art style, and core gameplay loops to demonstrate feasibility.
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Nationwide Relevance: Projects that involve participants from different Swiss linguistic regions or show exceptional potential for an international career.
Who is Eligible?
Pro Helvetia enforces strict eligibility criteria to ensure funds support the professional Swiss cultural sector.
Eligible Organizational Structures:
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Legal Entities: Companies registered as Ltd. (GmbH) or PLC (AG).
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Sole Proprietorships: Authorized if the founder’s education is within the 7-year window and they commit to converting to a legal entity.
Mandatory Participation Criteria:
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Team Composition: At least 50% of participants must be Swiss citizens or permanent residents based in Switzerland.
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Swiss Connection: Projects must be developed or implemented by practitioners regularly involved in the Swiss cultural scene.
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Copyright: All copyright and usage rights must be held by the project sponsor.
What is Excluded?
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Commissioned or promotional work (advertising campaigns).
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Purely technological projects without narrative or aesthetic value.
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Projects already receiving other federal funding (e.g., from the Federal Office of Culture).
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Gallery or exhibition-specific projects.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
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Secure Funding: Ensure you have binding proof of own or third-party funding. Note that labour costs are not accepted as self-financing for the matching grant.
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Develop a Vertical Slice: Create a playable prototype that represents the final quality of the game.
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Record a Trailer: Produce a video (max. 2 minutes) showcasing the game’s aesthetic and interaction.
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Prepare the Dossier: Write a comprehensive project description (up to 25 A4 pages) including a long-term studio strategy and participant CVs.
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Draft a Business Plan: Detail your market positioning, target group analysis, pricing, and distribution strategy.
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Submit in English: All documents should be in English (though German, French, or Italian are accepted if English is impossible).
Common Mistakes and Success Tips
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Insufficient Matching Funds: The most common reason for rejection is failing to provide signed, binding proof of equal co-financing.
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Weak Narrative Focus: Avoid “tech demos.” Ensure your game has a strong aesthetic or narrative identity that aligns with Pro Helvetia’s artistic mandate.
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Ignoring the Pitch: If you meet the formal criteria, you will be invited to an oral presentation. Prepare for this as you would a venture capital pitch.
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Tip: Attend the online information sessions held in winter and summer to ask specific questions about your project’s eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use the grant to pay for my office rent?
No. Funding is specifically for project production and cannot be used for general infrastructure or operational costs.
2. What happens if I am a sole proprietor?
You can apply, but you must demonstrate a willingness to convert your business into a legal entity (like an Ltd.) to receive the grant.
3. Is the CHF 50,000 grant guaranteed if I have the matching funds?
No. Projects are assessed by a jury based on independence, innovation, and professional quality. The grant is competitive.
4. Can I apply for two different games at the same time?
No. Only one project per category may be submitted by the same applicant per cycle.
5. Are “Serious Games” or educational games eligible?
As long as they are “highly interactive” and have a strong narrative or aesthetic content, they may be considered, provided they aren’t promotional or commissioned.
6. Does the “7-year rule” apply to the whole team?
The rule specifically applies to the project lead’s education or the studio’s foundation date.
7. Can the grant cover travel to game conferences?
The production grant is for development, but separate measures exist for trade fair participation. Travel to regions with FDFA travel advisories is not funded.
Conclusion
The Pro Helvetia Game Design Emerging Talents Production Grant is a high-impact opportunity for Swiss creators to launch commercially viable and artistically significant digital works. Successful applicants are those who demonstrate not only technical brilliance but also a robust business mindset and a commitment to sustainable, professional production standards.
For more information, visit Pro Helvetia.