Grants and opportunities for your next phase

iF Design

iF Design Student Award 2027: EUR 50,000 For Sustainable Design Concepts By Students And Recent Graduates

The iF Design Student Award is a free international competition for design students and recent graduates worldwide. Entries pitch a future focused concept that answers one of the first 15 UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the top projects share a EUR 50,000 prize fund.

Eligibility: Current students enrolled in a design related course or programme at a recognised institution.

Deadline

February 3, 2027

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Total prize fund of EUR 50,000 shared among the top entries, with seven projects recognised. The provider publishes no cut off time for the deadline.

Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council

Pro Helvetia Residency in Switzerland 2027 for Artists and Cultural Practitioners from Africa and Other Regions

Pro Helvetia funds residencies of up to three months at a partner institution in Switzerland for artists and cultural practitioners who live in one of its liaison office regions, which covers West, Central, East and Southern Africa among other areas. Accommodation, travel and daily allowances are covered, and applications open on 1 January each year with a deadline of 1 March at 23:59 Central European Time.

Eligibility: Artists and cultural practitioners with permanent residence in one of Pro Helvetia's liaison office regions and active participation in that cultural scene

Deadline

March 1, 2027

Location

Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya

Funding or benefit

Pro Helvetia covers accommodation, travel costs and daily allowances for a residency of up to three months, plus a coach from the local artistic field, and can add a workstation and a contribution towards production or material costs on request. Applicants with childcare responsibilities can request up to 1,000 CHF per month towards childcare or the travel costs of their children and, where necessary, a carer.

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Swarovski Foundation, with the United Nations Office for Partnerships

Swarovski Foundation Creatives For Our Future Programme 2026

The fifth cycle of the Creatives For Our Future Programme gives young creatives worldwide a 20,000 euro grant, one on one mentorship and educational support to develop creative work that advances sustainable development. Open to creatives aged twenty one to thirty working across design, art, technology and related fields, it closes 9 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. GMT.

Eligibility: Aged twenty one to thirty by the application deadline

Deadline

November 9, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

A 20,000 EUR grant, plus mentorship, educational masterclasses and industry access. The programme runs through September 2028.

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