Application deadlines in 2020 (Danish time, UTC + 1)
3rd of Feb. 2020, 23:59
4th of May 2020, 23:59
1st of Oct. 2020, 23:59
Response approx. seven weeks after the deadline.
What is Project Funding?
The Nordic Culture Fund acts as a catalyst for arts and culture in the Nordic region. We support diverse collaborations and weave together the Nordic region, so that everyone can see our part of the world with new eyes.
What we fund
We provide funding to projects within all fields of the arts and culture. The applicants may be individuals, groups, associations, companies, public or private sector organisations, or institutions.
The focus is on the Nordic players, but our stage is global. It is not a condition that you must live in the Nordic countries or have a Nordic nationality to apply, but the project must be relevant to our Nordic latitudes. And it must be of high quality.
We are happy to see applications for innovative projects that build upon previous networking, or a previous project.
The Fund operates on the basis of an agreement between the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Åland.
What we do not fund
We provide wide-ranging support, but there are certain limitations. The Fund does not finance:
- Bilateral collaborations that do not have a broader Nordic content or target group.
- Projects that lie outside the artistic or cultural field, such as sports events.
- Projects that focus primarily on, for example, business development, technological development, the social area, journalism or social science.
- The production and publication of products, if this is the sole or primary purpose of the project. This includes, for example, music releases, film and TV production, computer games production, web solutions, book publishing and translations.
- Touring activities and travelling exhibitions, unless these are part of another substantial Nordic co-operation.
- Study, research or school trips, study tours or education.
- The participation of individuals or groups in events. Only the planners/organisers of such events may seek support for this.
- Operating costs, construction and the procurement of technical equipment for operational use.
- Projects that are already completed.
Other funding programmes
Is your project still on the start-up phase? Do you need support to develop the project further?
Familiarise yourself with the criterion of the Opstart grant.
Assessment criteria
In the assessment of applications, the following criteria are emphasised:
Quality of the project
The quality of the project is assessed by the Fund on the basis of, for example:
- The project’s artistic or cultural ambitions and content.
- The project’s method and implementation plan.
- The project’s degree of innovation and development, possibly in relation to previous projects.
- The general and local interest in the project and its value for the participants.
- How the project thinks beyond a national perspective and motivates openness and tolerance.
Nordic relevance
The Fund assesses Nordic relevance on the basis of, for example:
- How the Nordic countries or Nordicness are included in the project.
- The degree to which the project is created and implemented by relevant players anchored in various locations in the Nordic countries, and possibly outside the Nordic region.
- The substance of the collaboration: the roles of partners and their involvement in the project.
- How the project promotes art and cultural life locally, in the Nordic countries, and possibly outside the Nordic region.
- How the project promotes exchange and interaction among artists and cultural players.
Finances
It is a requirement for funding by the Nordic Culture Fund that there is relevant co-financing of projects. We assess co-financing to be a central part of the project’s anchoring with its partners.
The greater the amount applied for, the higher the expectations will be towards self-financing and the support of other contributors. In practice, this means that a project should have at least 50% co-financing as a starting point, and that the total amount applied for from Nordic support schemes should not exceed 85%.
The project’s self-financing may include voluntary work and in-kind contributions. If this is the case, this type of self-financing must be specified in the budget.
We can provide funding support for the project’s administrative and salary expenses, provided that these are directly linked to the project.
You can apply for a maximum amount of DKK 500,000, but it is a good idea to obtain an idea of the typical size of our grants before applying. You can see more under supported projects.
If you need help for your project
Do you need inspiration for your project? Read about funded projects in different cultural areas.
The Nordic Culture Fund's Project Ambassadors can help you develop project ideas and guide you in the application process.
Conditions
Project period
- The project period may run for a maximum period of the year in which the grant is provided and the two subsequent calendar years.
- The main activities of the project must not commence until the Fund has made its decision and you have received a response.
Applications
- If an application is rejected, the applicant may apply once more for the same project.
- The Fund accepts only electronic applications, which may be submitted via the Fund’s applications portal. Applications submitted by post or e-mail will be not be considered.
Publicity
- The Fund’s grants are published on our website and in our annual report.
- In accordance with the privacy rules of the Nordic Culture Fund, applications are public, while personal and banking information is not public.
Which attachments are required for the application?
All applications must be submitted online via My Page.
It is compulsory to upload a project description and a budget.
The Nordic Culture Fund prefers files in PDF format (.pdf).
If you still have questions not answered
Ready to apply?
- Select the right funding for your project
- Check the assessment criteria
- Ensure the application is sent before the deadline
Download documents
Your application process
1. Your bright idea
Develop your project and draw inspiration from successful applicants. Consider applying for Opstart funding to develop your idea and your Nordic network.
2. Your application
Get off to a good start – read the application criteria. Create a profile and submit your application on My Page.
3. Response and payment(s)
Await a response to your application. See what to do once you receive funding.
