Guidelines for Applying for Financial Support 


The Embassy and Consulate-General have a joint programme budget to provide financial support to Dutch cultural projects in India and bilateral cultural cooperation activities. Before ideating and submitting a project proposal, kindly go through the below check-list that serve as guiding principles:

Purpose of Funding 

  • The proposed project creates a strong position for the Dutch art & cultural sector in India, through visibility, exchanges, and long-term partnerships. 
  • The activity supports the bilateral relationship with India. 
  • The power of the art & culture sector are used in efforts to achieve sustainable development.  

Who Can Apply

  • Both Dutch and Indian organizations can submit a project proposal. Applicants based in the Netherlands must have a partner organisation in India. Strong Indo Dutch partnerships, broad outreach, and balanced regional distribution are key criteria. 
  • An artist, designer, cultural professional –  Dutch / based in the Netherlands, (a non-Dutch applicant must exhibit a strong, proven link to the Dutch cultural sector.)

What Costs Can Be Funded

  • Funding covers up to 50% of the total project budget. This ensures a balanced commitment from both parties, promoting shared responsibility, reciprocity and joint ownership of outcomes.
  • Travel and accommodation costs (overnight stay and breakfast) of artists from the Netherlands.
  • The fund is not spent on:
  1. Overhead; exceptions are possible up to maximum of 15% of total subsidy
  2. Purely commercial activities (only professional organisations (legal entities) can receive funding)
  3. Contributions to cover shortfalls after the project in question has taken place.

Application Process

  • Contact the Consulate and or Embassy before applying.
  • Download and complete the official application form from the website
  • Prepare supporting documents, including:
  1.         Project description
  2.         Project timeline
  3.         Budget and financing plan
  • Email the completed application to: nde projects@minbuza.nl
  • A decision is usually made within 4 weeks of submission.
  • Please ensure from the planning stage that all publications—including invitations, program booklets, posters, catalogs, media reports, and similar materials—acknowledge the support provided by the Embassy and display the logo of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
  • We ask that you complete an evaluation form within 6 weeks after the end of the project

What makes an application strong

  • Proposals that stimulate Dutch-Indian reciprocal, long-term cultural exchange between artists and creatives in India and the Netherlands and cultural institutions in both countries.
  • Integration of topics such as diversity, equity, inclusion, fair-pay, sustainability and digitalization are encouraged.
  • There is a strong priority given to applications from organisations applying for the first time.
  • The priority themes for cultural cooperation in India are: design, cultural heritage, museum collaborations and the performing arts. 
  • Long-term vision: proposals are encouraged to address how the project will remain sustainable and continue to create impact beyond the project period.
  • Communication and visibility: to maximize the reach, impact, and transparency the proposal is encouraged to include a well-considered communication and visibility plan. The use of high quality images, new media tools, media engagement and inclusive storytelling are encouraged.

*Please note that the above points are intended as guiding principles to encourage strong, equitable, and sustainable collaborations. They do not imply any prior commitment or funding guarantees. Each project proposal will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account its specific context, clearly defined results, and the unique strengths of the partnership. The final selection will prioritize quality, (strategic) relevance, and potential for long-term impact, while maintaining flexibility in approach.

Form (Global)