Berner Design Stiftung supports contemporary design from the Canton of Bern, with a strong emphasis on helping professional designers develop concrete projects, build skills, and gain visibility through exhibitions and prizes. Its giving is tightly tied to the regional Bern design scene, but it also backs selected international exposure opportunities such as residencies and work presentations abroad. The foundation appears especially active in graphic, product, fashion/textile, ceramic, and socially engaged/transformation design.
Mix of project-based grants, individual development support, and a biennial prize. Project grants and travel/exhibition-related support are application-based with set deadlines or rolling intake, while the Berner Design Prize is invite-only; typical support includes CHF 15,000 for the laureate and CHF 5,000 passed on to a newcomer via the patronage model.
Applicants should be designers from the Canton of Bern and should apply to the correct track: project funding for specific deliverables, or personal funding for continuing education/residencies. Pay close attention to deadlines (project cycle registration and dossier upload dates; training applications at least two months before start) and prepare a strong portfolio that shows professional relevance and clear benefit to the Bern design scene.
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Current and upcoming funding from Berner Design Stiftung that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Designer:innen aus dem Kanton Bern. Für Weiterbildung ist die Einreichung spätestens zwei Monate vor Beginn der Weiterbildung erforderlich.
Deadline: Weiterbildungen: laufende Einreichung, spätestens zwei Monate vor Beginn. Auslandstipendien: laufende/periodische Ausschreibungen (werden auf der Website publiziert).
Who can apply: Richtet sich an Designer:innen aus dem Kanton Bern; für Publikationen können Gesuche auch von Herausgeber:innen oder Ausstellungsinstitutionen eingereicht werden. Eingereichte Projekte müssen jeweils die im Reglement genannten Anforderungen erfüllen.
Deadline: Aktueller Zyklus: Registrierung bis 28.07.2026; Dossier-Upload bis 11.08.2026; Bekanntgabe Entscheid 15.09.2026. Für Werkpräsentationen und einige Einreichungen sind laufende Fristen möglich (mind. 2 Monate vor Projektbeginn).
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.