International Promotion Programme

The International Promotion Programme supports companies and ensembles wishing to take the next step in their international development. The grant is intended to support the development and implementation of a strategic plan for market research and market expansion abroad.

• For performing arts organisations with international ambitions.
• Aimed at developing and implementing an international promotion plan.
• Two-stage procedure with selection by an independent advisory committee.
• Grant amount: up to 50,000 euros for a period of two years.
• Total budget in 2026: 400,000 euros.
• The grant may be used for activities over a period of up to two years.

The International Promotion Programme is intended for performing arts organisations that:

• are based in the Netherlands;
• have legal personality;
• are active in the professional performing arts in terms of artistic content.

Organisations that are not eligible:

• Organisations that already receive an institutional grant from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science;
• Organisations active in the field of pop music (including dance and hip-hop). For schemes relating to the international promotion of Dutch pop music, please visit the Dutch Music Export website;
• Organisations that have previously had an application under this scheme approved. In that case, you cannot submit a new application. 

The grant can be used to develop and implement an international promotion plan, over a period of up to two years.

Examples of eligible activities include:

• exploring foreign markets;
• developing an international marketing or positioning strategy;
• targeting foreign programmers, venues and festivals.

Phase I

Applications in the first phase are assessed on the basis of:

• The work of the producing organisation has sufficient potential to establish itself internationally, both artistically and commercially;
• The organisation has a demonstrable track record and is sufficiently capable, both financially and operationally, to stage productions on a structural basis (for at least two consecutive seasons).
• On this basis, an independent advisory committee selects a number of organisations for Phase II. For Phase II, they must submit an English-language project plan and a budget.

Phase II

Selected organisations must submit an English-language project plan and a budget in Phase II. These applications are assessed on:

• international potential;
• ambition;
• feasibility.

The maximum grant is 50,000 euros for a period of two years. In 2026, a total budget of 400,000 euros will be available.

Before submitting your application, please read the subsidy details at wetten.overheid.nl. Here you will find detailed information on the requirements your application must meet.

You must submit your application via My Fund. To do so, you will need a My Fund account.

• Do you already have an account? If so, please log in via My Fund.
• Don’t have an account yet? Please note that it takes an average of two working days for your account to become active.

Only complete applications submitted on time will be considered.

Header photo by Bart Grietens