Stiftung Ruth und Ernst Burkhalter supports young musicians in Switzerland, with a strong emphasis on helping them move from training into performance careers. The foundation funds soloist fees and deficit guarantees for concerts, scholarships for a first year at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, and targeted development support for talented youth before and during early tertiary study. It is especially interested in high-potential performers under about 22 years old, including chamber ensembles and young soloists with clear concert or project plans.
Focus Areas
Young Classical MusiciansOrchestral Soloist SupportChamber Music EnsemblesPre-College Music Talent DevelopmentMusic Scholarships at ZHdKYouth Concert and Interdisciplinary Performance Projects
Giving Approach
Quarterly grant cycles with deadlines on 1 March, 1 June, 1 September, and 1 December. Support appears to be application-based and program-specific: concert organizers can apply for soloist fees or deficit guarantees, while young musicians or their representatives can seek talent and project support. Typical awards are modest to targeted in scope, with pre-college grants generally up to CHF 2,000 and scholarship support routed through ZHdK.
How to approach this funder
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Check the program that best matches your need: concert organizers should apply for soloist-fee or deficit-guarantee support, while young musicians can apply for talent or project funding. Submit well in advance of the performance or project date—ideally 4–6 months ahead for project grants—and plan around the four annual deadlines. Eligibility is tightly defined by age, Swiss residence, and project type, so align your application closely to the foundation’s youth-music criteria.
Notable grantees:
• Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK)
• Swiss Youth Music Competition
• Young soloists and chamber ensembles in Switzerland
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Stiftung Ruth und Ernst Burkhalter that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses in 6 days (Jun 1, 2026)Award: Up to $2K
Begabtenförderung vor dem Hochschulstudium (Talent support before tertiary studies)
Education costsInstrument purchase/rentalTuition support+1 more
Who can apply: Jugendliche mit Wohnsitz in der Schweiz, vor dem Hochschulstudium.
Deadline: Vier Einreichtermine pro Jahr: 1. März, 1. Juni, 1. September, 1. Dezember.
Who can apply: Solist/ Solistin muss in der jährlichen Förderdokumentation der Stiftung aufgeführt sein (meistens Erstpreisträger des Schweizerischen Jugendmusikwettbewerbs oder vergleichbarer nationaler Wettbewerbe / Musikhochschulen).
Deadline: Vier Einreichtermine pro Jahr: 1. März, 1. Juni, 1. September, 1. Dezember. Empfehlungen: Gesuche 4–6 Monate vor Konzertdatum einreichen.
Who can apply: A soloist from the foundation’s supported artist list must be engaged for the concert. Applicants must submit a concert/project description, a budget showing the soloist fee, and the concert program; for first applications, an annual report is also requested.
Deadline: 1 March, 1 June, 1 September, 1 December
Who can apply: A soloist from the foundation’s supported artist list must be engaged for the concert. Applicants must submit a concert/project description, a budget showing the soloist fee, and the concert program; for first applications, an annual report is also requested.
Deadline: 1 March, 1 June, 1 September, 1 December
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.