Currently 7 active design grants, fellowships and residencies open to applicants in Switzerland. Hand-curated and updated weekly. Almost every entry is funded; a few notable unpaid open calls and festival submissions are included as clearly flagged exceptions. Browse the list below, or use the interactive desk for filtering and shortlisting.
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TaDA (Textile and Design Alliance) invites artists, designers, architects, writers, performers and interdisciplinary practitioners to a three-month residency in Arbon, Eastern Switzerland, developing new work through direct collaboration with regional textile companies and research institutions. Applicants do not need to identify as textile artists; the programme welcomes practitioners from multiple disciplines who want to work with textile technology, materials and know-how. Six residents are selected annually by jury for one of two 2027 periods (April-June or September-November). Residents develop a new project in cooperation with local textile companies, present their work publicly and organise workshops. SUPPORT: accommodation, travel expenses, contribution to living costs, workspace at the Kreativzentrum ZIK, and access to the expertise and infrastructure of 13 partner companies. Applicants should identify specific TaDA partners whose expertise contributes directly to the proposal. Apply via the online form. DEADLINE: 12 August 2026, 23:59 CEST; selection results announced early November 2026.
Pro Helvetia's Emerging Talents concept grant supports the early-stage concept development of design projects before a prototype is created. Emerging Talents are professional designers whose design-relevant training or business registration (self-employed, sole proprietorship, or company) dates back less than seven years. ELIGIBILITY: requires a connection to Switzerland (Swiss citizenship, or permanent residency with regular artistic activity in Switzerland); not open to practitioners without a Swiss connection. At least 50 percent of participants must be Swiss citizens or permanent residents whose place of work is in Switzerland. AMOUNT: up to CHF 10,000, plus possible individual coaching. Deadlines twice a year: 1 March (23:59 CET) and 1 September (23:59 CEST). Apply via the Pro Helvetia portal.
Pro Helvetia's Emerging Talents prototype development grant supports the creation of prototypes, pilot production runs, or sample collections for marketable design projects. Emerging Talents are professional designers whose training or business registration dates back less than seven years. ELIGIBILITY: requires a connection to Switzerland (Swiss citizenship, or permanent residency with regular artistic activity in Switzerland); not open to practitioners without a Swiss connection. At least 50 percent of participants must be Swiss citizens or permanent residents whose place of work is in Switzerland. AMOUNT: up to CHF 20,000, plus possible individual coaching. Deadlines twice a year: 1 March (23:59 CET) and 1 September (23:59 CEST). Apply via the Pro Helvetia portal.
Pro Helvetia's Emerging Talents production grant supports the production of design projects based on completed prototypes or sample collections. Emerging Talents are professional designers whose training or business registration dates back less than seven years. ELIGIBILITY: requires a connection to Switzerland (Swiss citizenship, or permanent residency with regular artistic activity in Switzerland); not open to practitioners without a Swiss connection. At least 50 percent of participants must be Swiss citizens or permanent residents whose place of work is in Switzerland. AMOUNT: up to CHF 50,000, on condition that own or third-party funding is available. Deadlines twice a year: 1 March (23:59 CET) and 1 September (23:59 CEST). Apply via the Pro Helvetia portal.
Pro Helvetia's Emerging Talents project extension grant supports extending advanced-stage design projects toward market success, for example through marketing, digital presence, and distribution. Emerging Talents are professional designers whose training or business registration dates back less than seven years. ELIGIBILITY: requires a connection to Switzerland (Swiss citizenship, or permanent residency with regular artistic activity in Switzerland); not open to practitioners without a Swiss connection. At least 50 percent of participants must be Swiss citizens or permanent residents whose place of work is in Switzerland. AMOUNT: up to CHF 20,000, plus possible individual coaching. Deadlines twice a year: 1 March (23:59 CET) and 1 September (23:59 CEST). Apply via the Pro Helvetia portal.
Pro Helvetia's Emerging Talents matchmaking event is a one-day event in Switzerland where emerging designers network with industry professionals, receive feedback, and take part in exclusive online pitch training. Emerging Talents are professional designers whose training or business registration dates back less than seven years. ELIGIBILITY: requires a connection to Switzerland (Swiss citizenship, or permanent residency with regular artistic activity in Switzerland); not open to practitioners without a Swiss connection. Open to Swiss citizens, permanent residents, or people working for Switzerland-based institutions. This is not a cash grant. Deadlines twice a year: 1 March (23:59 CET) and 1 September (23:59 CEST). Apply via the Pro Helvetia portal.
Stichting Stokroos funds a three-month reflective residency at Fundaziun Nairs in Scuol, Switzerland, for one selected visual artist, designer or craft practitioner (overlap possible). Both emerging and established makers may apply. Stokroos covers full accommodation and meals directly with Fundaziun Nairs and provides a discretionary EUR 7,000 budget for living, travel and production. The application should include a proposal that engages specifically with the residency, its Alpine surroundings and/or its historical and cultural context. Eligibility: you completed your first subject-specific (vocational or higher) programme in 2022 or earlier, or have an equivalent established practice, or started without formal training (first presentation marks the start of your practice); at least 21 years old; living and working in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (including its Caribbean parts) or Suriname for at least one year; not currently enrolled in a study or post-academic programme. Applications are individual only; duos and collectives cannot apply. Makers already selected by Fundaziun Nairs may still apply if they meet the criteria. You may submit only one application per year across all Stokroos grants, and must not have received a Seed Grant rejection in the previous calendar year. Apply via the online form (Dutch or English) with a portfolio PDF up to 20 pages, optional video up to 10 minutes total, CV up to 2 pages, and work/plan descriptions up to 2,500 characters each. Selection includes an introductory interview with up to three candidates; Stokroos aims to respond within 8 weeks. No appeal is possible. Application window: 1 to 11 September 2026. More information at nairs.ch.