Currently 6 active paid design grants, fellowships and residencies. 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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The Queer|Art Design Grant is a new initiative from Queer|Art supporting projects that explore queer histories, legacies, and futures while providing visibility and opportunity for emerging LGBTQ+ design talent. AWARDS: two USD 10,000 grants to emerging queer creatives across the design industry, described as the largest cash grant for LGBTQ+ designers in the country. ELIGIBILITY: US-based designers working across a variety of disciplines, including graphic design, architecture and landscape architecture, industrial and product design, fashion, textile and wearables, digital design, service design, furniture and home decor, materials research, interior design, and more. In its inaugural year the grant is judged by a panel of designers, curators, architects, and cultural leaders, including Bex McCharen, Salome Asega, Cristina Grajales, Jaffer Kolb, and Paul Soulellis. The program is the first major initiative under a new partnership between UGG and Queer|Art; Queer|Art board member and creative strategist Fran Tirado serves as Community Curator. Winners will be announced at Queer|Art's Annual Party in Fall 2026. DEADLINE: 14 August 2026. Apply via https://www.queer-art.org/design-grant.
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.