Funding

SGDA established the following list of regional and national funding schemes. It includes classical funding schemes by private and public institutions, as well as prizes and matchmaking opportunities which are an alternative to get additional support for your project.

When you apply for funding, it is very important that your studio and/or your project fulfils the terms and conditions defined by the funding organisations.

Funding opportunities

Important: check the websites of the organisations listed below in order to know the deadlines applicable.

OrganisationTitleDescription
Ars ElectronicaArTS Production GrantSwiss art practitioners from all disciplines supported by Pro Helvetia, including sound, interactive media, or visual arts, are invited to submit their proposals and join us in exploring the intersection of humanity and technology through art. Ars Electronica is seeking proposals for artistic formats such as installations, performances, or interventions from the area of Interactive Art, Bio Art, Hybrid Art, AI & Life Sciences, Sound Art, Digital Communities and Art Activism (but not limited to). The intention of the artwork must be to critically examine the impact of technological advancements on society. Through this grant, we aim to stimulate discussion and debate around issues such as digitalization, digital humanism, sustainability, climate justice, digital democracy, societal transformation, transparency, ethics, global equity, inclusion, and diversity.
City of BernProjektbeiträgeThe City of Bern can support projects and research that, for example, equally combine genres or disciplines, use new media and technologies, experiment with new forms of expression and mediation or deal with cultural heritage. Applications can be submitted by individuals, groups and organisations that have been helping to shape the cultural life of the City of Bern for some time or whose project has a strong connection to the City of Bern in terms of content.
City of WinterthurProjektförderungEligible for the award are artists and cultural workers up to the age of
up to the age of 35, who have lived in the city of Winterthur for at least three years without interruption or who,
through their artistic work they are in a special relationship with the culutral life of the city of Winterthur.
Canton VaudAppel Jeux VidéoThe Canton of Vaud has been contributing to the development of digital creativity through specific support since 2019. This call is aiming at innovative projects in game development and linking artistic creativity, technology and commercial potential
Cinéforom RomandieCall for projectsSupport for digital experiences (XN) is intended for works that take into account the actions of viewers, whether to change the point of view (e.g. 360° immersive films), influence narratives (interactive films), or any other form of interaction. The media supported range from traditional screens to new extended reality devices (XR, i.e. VR, AR or MR), or multiple in the case of transmedia projects.
Culturalpromotion.chDirectoryKulturfoerderung.ch is an information service of the Federal Office of Culture FOC and the Migros Culture Percentage. The directory supports cultural practitioners in making targeted contact with funding agencies. The aim is to reduce the quantity of applications in favour of higher quality. Since its relaunch in July 2012, the directory has been limited to pure funding addresses. Specifically, these are public and private institutions that support cultural projects or institutions with financial resources. The address list contains around 400 addresses and can be filtered by sector and region.
Epic Games - Unreal EngineEpic MegaGrantsEpic Games has committed to providing financial grants to creative, noteworthy, and innovative projects built in and around Unreal Engine or projects that enhance the open source 3D graphics ecosystem. The average grants range from $5,000 to $250,000, with some extraordinary projects receiving up to $500,000. Projects selected cover a variety of endeavors from game development, architecture projects, and film production, to educational uses and software tool development. No matter what size grant received, grantees will continue to own their IP and will be free to publish it however they wish.
Fachausschuss Film
und Medienkunst BS/BL
ProjektförderungThe BS/BL Film and Media Art Committee supports independent film productions and media art projects. In the area of gaming, funding may be granted for media art with a game component and/or transmedia cross-media projects that have a moving image component with a game character.
Federal Office of CultureSwiss Design AwardsA prize awarded by the Swiss Federal Office of Culture for exceptional projects of high quality. Category: Media & Interaction Design.
FIT - Fondation pour l'innovation technologiqueFIT DigitalLe programme FIT Digital a pour but de soutenir les entrepreneurs établis sur le Canton de Vaud qui développent des projets avec un modèle d’affaire innovant, basés sur une technologie digitale, difficiles à imiter et avec un fort potentiel de croissance.
FundraisoDatabaseFundraiso.ch brings together all charitable foundations in Switzerland and Liechtenstein in a search index that is updated daily. In particular, the platform enables an efficient way of working when researching funding in the foundation sector. You may search their database according to your project parameters.
Gamesweek ZurichMatchmakingMatchmaking between investors, publishers and game developers taking place during the annual Gamesweek Zurich - The Conference. Participants get access to the vast network of MeetToMatch.
InnosuisseProject funding for start-upsInnosuisse supports science-based projects of start-ups with significant innovation potential. These innovation projects must be based on application-oriented research and prepare start-ups for entering the market for the first time. In the case of projects, only the start-up is supported. No research partners are supported. Funding is available for projects in all subject areas.
InnosuisseAcceleratorCompetitive project funding for start-ups and SMEs as a transitional measure for Horizon Europe
Migros Culture PercentageStory LabThe Migros Culture Percentage Story Lab is a test bed for all audiovisual narrative formats from cinema films to series, and from virtual reality to games. The development focus is on how to realise an idea. Throughout story development, the Story Lab supports projects by running flexible modules that always respond to change in the film industry. These modules cover such aspects as: Financial support / Coaching / Networking. Through these activities, the Migros Culture Percentage supports topical and high-quality audiovisual, narrative projects in Switzerland.
Observatoire Romand de la CultureInstruments de soutienA website listing the support instruments and tools used to encourage culture by the Observatoire Romand de la Culture's partner local authorities. The aim is to provide a centralised, easy-to-use tool. It is aimed at public authority representatives, cultural organisations and all those involved in culture. The inventory focuses on direct financial support for artists and cultural organisations (excluding institutions). "
Pôle de Création NumériqueNEODOCThe Pôle de Création Numérique and RTS are inviting up-and-coming digital artists in French-speaking Switzerland to submit projects designed to document reality using the full potential of digital creation. Seven of these projects will be chosen by experts from the seven French-speaking cantons.

The seven selected projects will benefit from an initial contribution of 50,000 euros per project from the Pôle de Création Numérique and RTS, and support in the search for additional funding, up to a maximum of 50,000 euros per project.
Pro HelvetiaCall for ProjectsPro Helvetia promotes the creation and dissemination of all kinds of professional contemporary design, including game design.

Funding activities: Biannual call for applications to support the different development phases of a project (concept, production and marketing); Annual call for applications for delegations to participate in national and international trade fairs or platforms; Grants for individual participation in international events; Coaching, mentoring, matchmaking measures and workshops; Residencies and research trips; Publications on contemporary Swiss design; Support for thematic exhibitions on and knowledge exchange of contemporary Swiss design, in Switzerland and abroad.
StiftungSchweizDatabaseStiftungSchweiz is an online platform which, in addition to a foundation directory, offers a matching system for sponsors, donours and project owners. You may search their database according your project parameters.
VenturekickFunding schemesVenture Kick is a philanthropic three stage funding model initiated to support Swiss startups with enough funding to kick-start their entrepreneurial success. Startups can qualify to receive up to CHF 150,000 in start capital, and an opportunity for an additional CH 850,000 in equity funding from the Kick Fund. After each stage, promising entrepreneurs are also offered professional guidance in developing their business through the 2-day kickers camps and connection to an incredible network.
Ville de GenèveBoursesResearch and development grants for a creative project aim to support professional artists to encourage and stimulate experimentation in the field of digital arts such as interactive media. The grants are for project development only, i.e: from writing to pre-production and proof of concept.

If you know about other funding schemes open to Swiss residents and citizens, or studios based in Switzerland, we invite you to share the information with us by sending an email to info@sgda.ch.