Applying for a grant
How it works
Do you have a good idea for a project? And are you thinking about applying for a grant from the Fund? On this page, we will tell you how it works one step at a time.
More information about applications from the Caribbean?
Check Team CaribbeanSteps
Step 1. Search and find the right grant for your project
The Fund has several grant schemes. Not sure yet which scheme you want to apply for?
● Please answer the questions in the Grants Guide to find out which scheme suits your plan.
● Check out all our grants and read up on all the possibilities.
● We frequently organise consultation hours, information sessions and meetings around specific schemes. Be sure to check our calendar regularly or sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of this page to stay informed.
Step 2. Read the grants page carefully
Have you found a scheme that suits your project? Please read the grant page, criteria and official documents carefully. Good to know:
● The full grant scheme can be found under 'Documents', on the right-hand side of the grant page. This full grant scheme is the legal version. This describes the exact requirements for your application.
● The sample application form provides the questions you should be able to answer when submitting an application. You can use this sample application form to prepare for submitting your application
Are you unsure whether your project qualifies for the scheme? Or do you have questions about the scheme? Then contact one of our subsidy advisors. You can find their contact information on the subsidy page.
Step 3. Create an account through Mijn Fonds
You can apply for a grant using your Mijn Fonds account. Don't have an account yet? Please create one on time. It can take up to 5 working days for your account to become active.
Step 4. Submit your application via Mijn Fonds
The scheme is up and running and the time has come: you are going to apply for a grant. Applying for a grant is done through an application form. You may be asked for additional documents, such as a project plan or budget. This varies per scheme, so read the scheme you're applying for carefully. Upload the documents to the application form.
You don't have to complete the form all at once; Mijn Fonds saves your progress.
Once you've finished completing the application form, submit your application digitally and you'll immediately receive a confirmation of receipt by email.
Please note: We almost always process applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, the budget may be exhausted by the time we assess your application. In this case, you will receive a 'rejection for advice'. So make sure you apply on time and don't wait until the closing date of the scheme.
Step 5. First check of your application
Our office staff and subsidy advisors will review your application and perform the initial check: is the application form fully completed and have all documents been included? And does the project align with the program's objectives?
● If your application is complete and meets the requirements, it will be processed (see step 6 and further).
● If your application is incomplete, an office staff member will contact you within 14 days to request additional information. You then have up to a week to submit the additional information. Your application is only considered complete once all the information has been submitted. Once your application is complete, the processing period begins. Your application will then be processed (see step 6 and further).
Step 6. Reviewing your application
We will now assess the content of your application.
● Applications up to and including €25,000 are almost always assessed by the Fund's internal advisers.
● For applications higher than €25,000, the Fund will engage an advisory committee. This committee includes specialists from the field of cultural participation and cultural education. You can find the members of our advisory committees on this page.
The internal advisers or the external advisory committee will assess whether your application meets the criteria of the scheme. They will proceed to advise the Fund's board on whether or not your application should be granted.
Step 7. Decision-making
In most cases, you will be notified within 8 to 13 weeks whether your application is granted. On the website under the scheme, you will find the response time corresponding to your scheme.
In case the grant is awarded, you will find the amount awarded and information regarding the next steps in the decision letter. Unfortunately, we also have to reject applications. The decision letter will tell you why.
Step 8a. After a positive decision: get to work!
Congratulations! Your application has been accepted and you can start implementing your project. We like to keep in touch. We ask you to place our logo on printed or online expressions. Do you have any great photos or news about your project? We would be happy to receive them via communicatie@cultuurparticipatie.nl.
We also like to stay in touch via social media and share stories about your project online. Tag us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube.
Step 8b. After a negative decision
Unfortunately, your application has been rejected. You can read why in the decision letter. If there is still sufficient funding available, you still have several options:
● You can incorporate the feedback from the decision letter and reapply for the grant for the same project.
● You can learn from the feedback and apply for a grant for a new project.
● You can also investigate whether it's possible to apply under a different program or with a different fund.
If you disagree with the decision to reject the grant, you can file an objection. This page explains how this works.
Step 9. Changes in your project
It's possible that something changes in your project. For example, a new contact person or a revised schedule. Always report these changes to your contact person at the Fund.
Step 10. Accountability
For applications exceeding € 25.000, you must always submit an accountability statement. You can find information about this in the decision letter you received upon approval. Accounting for your project means submitting a substantive and financial report. This demonstrates how the grant was spent and how the project progressed.
For applications exceeding € 125.000, you must submit an account report in addition to a substantive and financial report.
If you have any questions about accountability, please contact the person listed in your decision letter.