Major cultural projects

A Major Cultural Project funding is intended to projects in the field of science, art, societal activities or various combinations thereof.

A Major Cultural Project produces significant cultural and societal results, and build the future of Finnish science, arts, and culture. We especially appreciate open-mindedness and new openings.

Our objective is to make sizeable projects possible by financing them either in their entirety, or by being one of their main financiers. The financing is for two years, a total between € 100,000 and € 300,000.

Please, have a look at the frequently asked questions.

You can find out about previous major cultural projects here (in Finnish)

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Application period: 1.–31.1.2024 (DEADLINE AT 4 pm. Finnish time)
Decision: April 2024

This funding can be applied for by collectives and registered associations. A working group consisting of private individuals (e.g. a research team or an artist team) can apply only if the applicant is for example a university, or a registered association. Private individuals may not apply for this funding.

Financing is for work and expenses that accrue after the financing was awarded.

Financing is not given for construction projects, or in support of the basic operations of an organisation. The share of general expenses claimed by a university may not exceed 5% of the project’s total costs applied from Kordelin Foundation.

FOR WHAT PERIOD?

Major cultural project financing is only for projects that have a duration of two years. One application is made for the two-year grant period. Funding usage period is every year from 1 April to 31 March.

In exceptional cases, the Foundation may finance the same purpose for a new two-year period. In such cases, the project leader draws up a final report, and applies for the funding with a new application. A Major cultural project financing can be awarded for a maximum total period of four years.

Size of FUNDINGThe sum of a two-year Major cultural project funding is min. €100,000 and max. €300,000.

GrantA collective can apply for a working grant to cover the working costs of project participants, and an expense grant for the project’s expenses, in line with instructions from taxation authorities. Please check taxation of grants, scholarships and awards for merit.. In such cases, a share of the grant is paid out as working grants to project participants, and a share as an expense grant to the account indicated by the applicant, such as a university or a registered association, to be managed by the collective.

The duration of a working grant can be max. 24 months, and the sum €50,000 per person, distributed in grants of approximately €2,080 per month. Grants are awarded for full-time work only. Please note that the applied grant must also include a Mela payment.  Please check sum of tax-exampt artist’s grant.

SalaryA collective can also apply for funding to cover project participants’ salaries and project expenses. Funding for salary expenses can be applied for a period no longer than 24 months. In such cases, the collective will be responsible for all relevant employer obligations.

The grant applicant/recipient’s person responsible will be responsible for the project in its entirety.

Tax regulations may change, and their interpretation can to some extent vary. Consequently, the Alfred Kordelin Foundation cannot be held responsible for the correctness of this information, nor can it provide more detailed instructions on taxation. Please check the instructions on the website of the tax authority taxation of grants, scholarships and awards for merit.

In exceptional cases, the Foundation may award funding for the same purpose for a new two-year period. In such cases, the project leader draws up a final report, and applies for the funding with a new application. A Major cultural project grant can be awarded for a maximum total period of four years.

SIZE OF THE GRANT

The size of a two-year Major cultural project funding is €100,000 at minimum, and €300,000 at maximum. In the application form, the applicant will state which sum is requested for the first and for the second year. The sum does not need to be evenly divided between the years.

Example project 1, minimum
Funding applied for the first year is €60,000 + grant applied for the second year is €40,000 = €100,000 in total

Example project 2, maximum
Funding applied for the first year is €200,000 + grant applied for the second year is €100,000 = €300,000 in total

APPLYING FOR funding

The application service opens on January 1st, and the application period closes on 31 January 2024 at 4 pm. Finnish time. Applications and their appendices cannot be sent via regular mail or e-mail. If you are applying for a second consecutive two-year Major cultural event funding, complete your final report and make a new application to the Foundation no later than 31 January 2024 at 4 pm. Finnish time.

mandatory APPENDICES

  • CV of the project leader/leaders. Alfred Kordelin Foundation recommends all applicants to use The Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK template for the researcher’s curriculum vitae (CV) applicable also in the field of arts
  • CVs of persons who participate in the project for which funding is applied. TENK template.
  • expanded work plan. The expanded work plan must include tangible goals for both years of project operation)
  • Confirmation of interest from partners or networks who are committed participating in the project.
  • Itemised project budget
  • Latest report on operations and financial statement

Please see further instructions in the application form. All appendices must be in pdf format.

ASSESSMENT

Applications are evaluated by Alfred Kordelin Foundation’s multi-disciplinary team of experts. Shortlisted applicants are invited to present their projects in early March. Decisions on projects that will receive financing are made by the Board of Directors of the Foundation in April.

When assessing applications, we pay attention to the following:

  • the applicant has a clear view of what exceptionally significant results in the fields of science and/or art can be expected from the project. This is presented clearly and understandably in the application.
  • the project can realistically be launched. This means e.g. that the applicant can demonstrate there are partners or networks who are committed to participating in the project.
  • the applicant is experienced and ready to take on the responsibility of completing a sizeable project
  • the project is a body of work with a beginning and an end. The project plan and project budget are realistic
  • The share of the funding applied for from the Kordelin Foundation, own funding, and other parts of the funding are all clearly defined in the application. Own funding includes e.g. income from ticket sales, and performance spaces available free of charge. Other funding means financing from other stakeholders who support the project, such as other foundations, companies, and public funding
  • the applicant has excellent communications and marketing capabilities
  • the applicant explains how the success of the project will be measured

APPLICATION PROGRESS?
Application reviews will begin once the application period has ended, i.e. on 31 January 2024. Grant applications are reviewed in three groups: science, art, and public education.

We have invited both trustees of the Foundation and experts from outside the Foundation to join these groups.

Grant application reviews move forward in four phases:

  1. An expert reviews and gives the applications a point score based on review criteria.
  2. Theme groups meet to discuss the applications for their area, and prepare a proposal.
  3. Groups join forces to select a shortlist of six to nine projects that will be interviewed. Subject matter experts and the Foundation’s staff members participate in the interviews.
  4. In the last phase, the groups will together make a proposal on the projects to be funded, and present it for decision to the Board of the Foundation.

The Board will make the decision on funding recipients in April 2024.

INTERIM REPORT

Submit the interim report for the first year of operations by 31 January 2024 to the online grant service. It is a prerequisite for paying out the grant of the second year that the project leader has submitted an interim report, verifying that the project has moved forward according to plans. If the interim report has not been submitted, or the project has not moved forward according to plans, the Foundation cannot pay out the grant for the second year.

We will stay in touch with project stakeholders also during the project.

FINAL REPORT

Submit the project’s Final Report no later than one month from project closure, using the online grant service. The Final Report will be reviewed together with representatives from the Foundation in an assessment discussion. If you are applying for a second consecutive two-year Major cultural event grant, complete your final report and make a new application to the Foundation no later than 31 January 2024 at 4 pm. Finnish time.

More information
Erik Båsk, Managing Director
Tel. +358 40 825 8071
erik.bask@kordelin.fi