Organizer Information
The Austrian Cultural Forum Bern (Österreichisches Kulturforum Bern) is part of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) and works to strengthen cultural and scientific exchange between Austria and Switzerland. Its activities focus on presenting a contemporary, future-oriented image of Austria internationally and building sustainable cooperation with Swiss museums, galleries, festivals, concert organizers, cultural centres, and scientific institutions. The Forum particularly values long-term partnerships and collaborative projects involving Austrian artists, cultural practitioners, and researchers.
Title & Description
Project Cooperation – Austrian Cultural Forum Bern
Project Cooperation is a funding opportunity for cultural projects involving Austrian cultural practitioners or scientists and Swiss partners. The Austrian Cultural Forum Bern provides financial support for projects that are planned to take place in Switzerland and meet its funding criteria and thematic priorities.
The program is intended for projects that already have a defined framework, including information about the Swiss venue, project title, date, and program. Funding can help cover remaining financial needs, including expenses such as travel costs. Projects involving several performances or events at different locations in Switzerland may also be submitted as one project, provided all planned dates and venues are clearly listed.
The Forum does not operate as an artist agency and does not provide its own event spaces. Applicants should therefore have an established project and appropriate Swiss cooperation or presentation arrangements before applying.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts
- Music
- Film and Cinema
- Literature
- Cultural Projects
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Science and Cultural Exchange
The opportunity is broadly oriented toward cultural and scientific cooperation rather than a single artistic medium.
Eligibility
The opportunity is primarily open to cultural practitioners who have their permanent residence and professional working base in Austria, regardless of their nationality. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their Austrian main residence with a valid registration certificate (Hauptwohnsitz-Meldezettel) and have their place of work and artistic production in Austria.
Applicants must have a planned project in Switzerland, including a specified venue, title, date, and program. Projects must also correspond to the Austrian Cultural Forum Bern's funding criteria and thematic priorities.
A Swiss organizer or host may also submit the funding request on behalf of a project involving Austrian cultural practitioners.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected projects may receive financial support from the Austrian Cultural Forum Bern. Support may include contributions toward expenses such as travel costs. The amount and scope of funding are dependent on the Forum's available budget, and submitting an application does not create an entitlement to funding.
Approved funding is reimbursed based on actual, documented eligible expenses rather than as a flat-rate payment. If the project costs more than the approved amount, the applicant is responsible for the additional costs. If the project costs less, only the documented costs actually incurred are reimbursed.
Supported projects also receive communication and visibility through the Austrian Cultural Forum Bern's website, social media channels, and newsletter.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
Applications are organized according to three annual project periods:
- Projects taking place January–April: deadline 15 October of the previous year
- Projects taking place May–August: deadline 15 February
- Projects taking place September–December: deadline 15 June
For example, projects scheduled for January–April 2027 have an application deadline of 15 October 2026.
Location
Switzerland
Additional Details
If funding is approved, applicants must acknowledge the support of the Austrian Cultural Forum Bern internally and publicly, including through appropriate logo use or the wording “Mit Unterstützung des Österreichischen Kulturforums Bern” (“With the support of the Austrian Cultural Forum Bern”).
Recipients must also provide press and photographic material for the Forum's communications, submit information and images after the event, and provide digitized receipts together in a PDF document.
Projects cannot automatically carry approved funding into a subsequent year if they are postponed. Any changes to the project's timing or content must be reported to the Forum immediately. The Austrian Cultural Forum Bern also emphasizes sustainable cooperation and welcomes projects involving multiple Swiss presentations or venues.