The Ikea Foundation Switzerland has supported the discussion between the practical and the theoretical with trend-setting tasks in the sectors of architecture, design and arts and crafts for more than four decades. The foundation is pursuing this objective by providing grants to young talented designers from Switzerland who wish to follow a further education programme abroad. The foundation also awards financial grants to projects.
The primary aim of the Ikea Foundation Switzerland is to support young talent.
The Ikea Foundation Switzerland is equipped with three support instruments:
Scholarships
The Ikea Foundation Switzerland provides selected applicants with scholarships for further education. Further education ABROAD is considered exclusively and only if the applicant has already completed an educational programme at Bachelor’s level (or similar). It is also assumed that the beneficiaries have experience of professional practice.
Work or project grants
The Ikea Foundation Switzerland provides financial grants to creative projects such as the development of a prototype for a design object or the presentation of design drafts to a public exhibition. Supporting a project is considered if the intended solution of the task clearly shows an innovative approach.
Grants for events or institutions
The Ikea Foundation Switzerland provides financial grants to institutions that follow the objectives of creative further education in the supported areas, by organising competitions presided over by a panel, for example, and granting prizes or awards.
Architecture
architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, urban construction and room planning
Design
furniture or lighting design, product design, textile design
Arts and crafts
ceramics, jewellery, pottery and glassware, textiles
Applications
The primary aim of the Ikea Foundation Switzerland is to support young talent. The following age restrictions are therefore set for applications:
- Scholarships: before 28th birthday
- Project or work grants: before 32nd birthday
- For events: The event must be aimed specifically and exclusively at participants who are in education.
At present, an annual budget of CHF 600,000 is available for foundation grants. The Ikea Foundation Switzerland endorses between 50 and 60 applications per year.