Matching Fund International Heritage Cooperation

Deadlines next round: 21 September for the (online) advisory meeting, 5 October for applications

The Matching Fund supports projects that contribute to the visibility of heritage that connects the Kingdom of the Netherlands with the countries included in the International Cultural Policy. To increase the visibility of international heritage connections it supports projects that create awareness and understanding of our heritage while also linking to topics that resonate with audiences today. To create diverse and engaging projects, applicants are expected to place a strong emphasis on reciprocal partnerships, multiperspectivity and historical awareness. The scheme has two deadlines each year in spring and fall. The assessment period takes four months.

Heritage and creative professionals, organisations, and institutes that are based in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (including Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius) are welcome to apply in partnership with their counterpart(s) from the countries mentioned in the International Cultural Policy. For administrative reasons, the partner based in the Kingdom of the Netherlands must be a legal entity.

International Cultural Policy countries: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, India, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

We support projects from all cultural disciplines, some examples are exhibitions, international events, theatre performances, podcasts, etc. Book publications and public programming connected to documentaries and films shown in cinemas are also eligible, but certain restrictions apply. Please see the Application Criteria & Information document below for further information on this.

In all cases, the project must be accessible to a broad audience that, when engaging with the project, learns more about the past that connects the Kingdom of the Netherlands with the partner country.

If you would like to apply for the Matching Fund, please send a short introduction of your project to our email address: [email protected] . This introduction should answer the following questions:

• What heritage-related topic does your project touch on that connects the Kingdom of the Netherlands and a partner country?
• Which international partners are working together on this project and is the collaboration balanced?
• What is the current relevance of this project, why is it important that it’s shown now?
• How will this project be accessible to the public in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and/or in the partner country?

Additionally, it is important to know that for this round of the scheme, your project may not start before February 2027 and has to be completed by 1 September 2028.

If the project is a good fit for the Matching Fund, you will be invited to an (online) advisory meeting,that should take place before 21 September. During this meeting, we will discuss the project proposal, provide information about the application process, and provide additional advice if relevant. After the advisory meeting, the application form for the scheme will be made accessible. Applications will only be considered if the applicant has personally received the application link.

Applicants have until 5 October 2026 at 17:00 CET to submit their application.

All the essential information for this round of the Matching Fund is available on this page. Should you have any further questions about your specific project, please contact us via the link below.