The Swarovski Foundation has opened applications for the 2026 cycle of its Creatives For Our Future Programme, offering young creatives worldwide a €20,000 grant alongside mentorship and educational support.

The fifth cycle is open to applicants aged 21 to 30 whose creative work uses areas such as technology, design, science or other creative approaches to address sustainability challenges and contribute to sustainable development.

Applications opened on September 9, 2026, and will remain open until November 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. GMT.

The programme is run by the Swarovski Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships. It is designed to support emerging creatives developing projects, products, research, concepts or creative practices connected to sustainable development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Eligible creative disciplines include fashion, jewellery, art, design, architecture, videography, photography, science, technology and engineering.

Applicants must be working on an idea or creative practice capable of contributing to sustainable development.

Successful participants will receive a €20,000 grant to support their creative project or practice, as well as one-on-one mentorship, educational masterclasses and industry networking opportunities.

Participants will also have access to industry events and connections, together with support throughout the programme period.

The fifth cycle is expected to begin in Fall 2027, when the grants and mentorship are scheduled to start. The programme is expected to continue through September 2028, with participants required to work towards tangible outcomes from their projects.

Applicants must be between 21 and 30 years old by the application deadline and can be based in any country. They must be working on a project that uses creative mediums and have a project, product, research initiative or creative practice linked to sustainable development.

Applicants are also expected to demonstrate how their work can contribute to sustainability and must be capable of delivering tangible project outcomes by September 2028.

Selected applicants must have a valid passport and be able to meet relevant UK entry requirements. Applications are accepted from individuals or sole proprietors.

A registered business or school enrolment is not required, while applicants are also not required to use Swarovski crystal in their projects.

The programme supports applications from fashion, jewellery, art, design, architecture, videography, photography, science, technology and engineering.

However, performing arts and literature are excluded. This means areas such as music, dance, theatre, creative writing, novels, poems, screenplays, essays and journalism are not supported.

Applicants are required to submit a completed application form in English, a creative portfolio of up to 50MB, a two-minute introduction video presenting themselves and their project, supporting documents, proof of age, a valid passport and one academic or professional reference.

The Foundation advises applicants to provide detailed and comprehensive responses in the application form.

Following submission, applications will be reviewed by the Swarovski Foundation Selection Committee and jury. Shortlisted applicants are expected to take part in online interviews in January 2027, subject to confirmation.

The final selection process is expected to take up to 16 weeks. Successful applicants are expected to be notified by April 2027 and will have four days from receiving the notification to respond in order to retain their place.

The programme timeline lists September 9, 2026, as the application opening date and November 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. GMT as the deadline. Interviews are scheduled for January 2027, subject to confirmation, while successful applicants are expected to be notified in April 2027.

The programme is scheduled to begin in Fall 2027 and conclude in September 2028.

Eligible creatives can submit their applications online through the official Swarovski Foundation Creatives For Our Future application page.

Applicants are advised to review the application guidelines and have their portfolio, introduction video and supporting documents prepared before submitting their forms.

Key details for the opportunity include a €20,000 grant, mentorship and education; an eligible age range of 21–30; worldwide eligibility; an application period running from September 9 to November 9, 2026; and a programme period from Fall 2027 to September 2028.

The application is online and free. The official website is Swarovski Foundation Creatives For Our Future.

Source: msmeafricaonline