Ikea Stiftung Schweiz supports young Swiss designers, architects, and craft practitioners who want to deepen their training through international study, internships, and practice-oriented projects. Its giving is highly design-specific and emphasizes practical innovation, prototyping, exhibitions, and educational platforms that help emerging talent build careers beyond Switzerland. The foundation also backs selective institutions and events that serve people in training, especially when they create visibility or professional pathways for early-career creatives.
Annual Giving$600K
Focus Areas
Industrial and Product DesignArchitecture and Design ProjectsCraft and Applied ArtsInternational Design EducationPrototype Development and Trade Fair PresentationsDesign Training Platforms and Competitions
Giving Approach
Small-to-moderate, highly programmatic grants; includes one annual five-month internship, scholarship support for overseas training, and project/event contributions reviewed on fixed cycles (typically April, August, and December). Funding is selective and tied to clear design or education outcomes rather than open-ended general support.
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How to approach this funder
Check the specific program fit first: scholarships are for young Swiss designers with a bachelor-level qualification and work experience, while project and event grants require a clear innovative concept and a strong link to training or professional development. Submit by the stated deadlines—generally 1 April, 1 August, or 1 December for project/event support, and by late February for the IKEA Älmhult internship; proposals should arrive at least four months before the activity starts.
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Ikea Stiftung Schweiz that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses Aug 1, 2026
Stipendien (Scholarships)
DesignArchitekturKunsthandwerk+1 more
Who can apply: Applicants must have completed a Bachelor (or equivalent), have professional practice, meet age limits (must be under 28 at time of application for scholarships), and live in or have a close connection to Switzerland.
Deadline: Stipendien applications must be submitted by 1 April for programmes starting in autumn and by 1 August for programmes starting in February. General intake dates: 1 April, 1 August, 1 December.
Werk- oder Projektbeiträge (Project / Work Grants)
Design projectsArchitecture projectsCraft & applied arts projects+2 more
Who can apply: Projects must be in supported fields (architecture, design, craft), demonstrate an innovative approach, not be bachelor final projects, not be primarily commercial or social ventures; applicant must have Swiss residence or strong connection to Switzerland; age limits apply for individual applicants (project applicants: up to 7 years after Bachelor and not older than 35).
Deadline: General submission dates: 1 April, 1 August, 1 December. Gesuch must be submitted at least 4 months prior to project start.
Beiträge an Veranstaltungen oder Institutionen (Contributions to Events / Institutions)
Events for design educationCompetitions and awards for traineesInstitutional support for training platforms
Who can apply: Events/institutions must operate in supported fields and explicitly address persons in training or provide them a platform; applicant must demonstrate Swiss residence or close connection. Commercial or primarily social/commercial projects are excluded.
Deadline: Submission windows: 1 April, 1 August, 1 December. Board meetings at end of following month.
Who can apply: Applicants must have residence in Switzerland or a strong connection to Switzerland. Project applicants can apply up to seven years after their bachelor's degree and must not be older than 35 at the time of application. Projects or events already started or implemented are not eligible. Applications must be submitted at least four months before implementation.
Deadline: Intake dates are 1 April, 1 August, and 1 December; board meetings take place at the end of the following month.
Who can apply: Applications must have a Switzerland connection. Events must explicitly target people in training or provide them a platform. The applicant is not subject to an age limit, but the event must relate to the foundation's target audience. Projects or events already started or implemented are not eligible and applications must be submitted at least four months before implementation.
Deadline: Intake dates are 1 April, 1 August, and 1 December; board meetings take place at the end of the following month.
Praktikum am Hauptsitz von IKEA in Älmhult (Internship in Product Development)
Product developmentIndustrial designObject design
Who can apply: Swiss applicants with a Bachelor in industrial or object design, fluent English; applicants must be under 32 at time of application for the internship at IKEA headquarters.
Deadline: Applications for the internship can be submitted until end of February each year (typically Feb 28). Selection completed by end of April.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.