Funding

Support by Sparx

The support from Migros Culture Percentage Sparx is focused on a four-month period. During this period, the selected groups receive financial support. This support should provide group members with the freedom to independently develop their submitted ideas. Finished products do not need to be produced. Groups can decide for themselves how and where to work.

The current Sparx Studio period takes place from April 1 to July 31, 2025.

Studio Days

In the four-month studio period, all participants meet regularly during the Studio Days. These meetings take place at different locations throughout Switzerland. Active participation is a central component of the support from Sparx. In the Studio Days, you have the opportunity to exchange with other participants, refine your ideas, receive feedback, get input from experts, or participate in workshops on various topics.

  • Studio Period:April 1 to July 31, 2025
  • Studio Kick Off:March 19, 2025, 17:00-19:00, Zurich
  • Studio Days 1 & 2:April 5 & 6, 2025, Basel
  • Studio Days 3 & 4:May 24 & 25, 2025, Lausanne
  • Studio Day 5:July 19, 2025, Zurich

Monthly grant

As participants, you receive a grant of CHF 6,000 during the studio period. This is divided into four monthly installments of CHF 1,500 per person. The grant creates time and financial freedom in which you can focus on developing the idea you submitted. The financial support focuses on the ideation process.

FAQ

Funding Amount

How is the grant amount of CHF 1,500 per person per month determined?

In recent years, our experience has shown that selected groups benefited most from the grant when they worked an average of 1.5 days per week. This grant amount is based on a 100% scholarship performance of CHF 5000 per month, resulting in CHF 1,500 per month and CHF 6,000 total.

Application

How should I put my idea into writing in the application form?

The focus of your application is on the three questions you are required to answer. These three questions form the core of your application. All important information about your idea should be described there. Your answers to these questions are the basis for the selection process and the only information available to the selection committee for the final decision.

If you have any uncertainties, feel free to visit a Writing Support session where we assist you in formulating your idea.
What additional documents do I need to submit?

In addition to the completed application form, a CV and an example of a past project must be submitted for each person in the group. You also have the option to submit a project visualization with your inspirations, but this is optional. These materials will only be considered in the pre-selection. The selection committee receives only the anonymized content of the text fields in the form for the selection.
Why are the applications (only) anonymized after pre-selection?

In the pre-selection, we must ensure that the participation conditions are met and that each individual is eligible for support. For the main selection by the selection committee, the idea should be the focus and all ideas should have the same chance. We therefore anonymize the applications for this step.

Idea

Who is invited to submit their ideas?

We are looking for project ideas from young cultural practitioners. If you submit an idea as a group, the idea must come from you and not from third parties or institutions.
What ideas will not be funded by Sparx?

Sparx does not fund ideas that ...

  • … discriminate against people
  • … are developed in an institutional or commercial framework
  • … are currently developed or graded within an educational framework at schools or universities.
Can we submit a project that we have already received funding for?

We are looking for ideas with development potential, not finished concepts. If this applies to your project, it can be submitted even if it already receives other funding. You must indicate in the application form where and for what you have already received funding.
Can my idea be part of a project I am working on/have worked on at my school/university?

A final project may be submitted under two conditions:

  • It has already been submitted and graded.
  • You want to fundamentally develop the idea.

Sparx Studio

What exactly happens during Sparx Studio?

You can find more information about Sparx Studio here.

How much time do I need to devote to Sparx Studio during the four-month Studio period?

Our experience from recent years has shown that chosen groups benefited most from the grant when they worked an average of 1.5 days per week. This is the basis upon which we arrange the coaching. How you use this time is up to you. If you already know at the time of submission that you will not have time during the studio period, pass your place to someone who can benefit more.

Can we start working before the Studio period?

The focus of the studio period is to support you in implementing your idea. You should still be at the beginning of the implementation process. You can make initial preparations for the studio period in advance, but the idea must remain the same as the one you submitted.
Not all members of our group can participate in the Studio period from April to July. Can we still submit our idea?

The Studio Days are an integral part of the support. It is therefore mandatory to attend all these dates.
I have a physical/psychological impairment and therefore I cannot fully participate during the Studio period. Does that disqualify me from receiving funding?

No, Sparx aims to promote inclusively. Get in touch with us so we can find a solution that’s right for you.

Terms and conditions of participation

What does 'living in Switzerland' mean?

To participate in Sparx you need, at the time of submission and until the end of the studio period, an address where you reside in Switzerland as well as a bank account in Switzerland. Swiss citizenship is not required.
I'm not a member of a group. Can I submit an idea on my own?

As an individual, you cannot apply for the Sparx Studio. Only groups of two or more people are admitted for the studio period.
How big can my group be?

Groups of two to four people can participate in the studio period. If your group is larger, a maximum of four people will receive financial support and only these four people can participate in the studio period and the coaching. Other group members can contribute to the project outside of the support.
Not everyone in our group is aged between 18 and 28. Does this mean we are disqualified from the funding?

Studio participants must be between 18 and 28 years old (birth years 1996-2006). In exceptional cases, one older group member may be admitted, up to the birth year 1989, as long as this person can show they are still at the beginning of their artistic career. This must be shown when submitting the application.
I will turn 29 during the Sparx Studio period. Can I still participate?

Even if you celebrate your 29th birthday during the studio period, you may participate. The important thing is that you are still 28 years old at the time of application and have the corresponding birth year.
I have already submitted an idea to Sparx, may I apply a second time?

People who have already been supported by Migros-Kulturprozent Sparx cannot directly apply again in the Call for Ideas, but they can be extended team members. People who have not been supported (but have submitted) can always submit new ideas.
Do we need to be professional artists?

No. Migros-Kulturprozent Sparx targets aspiring artists and cultural practitioners aged 18 to 28 who wish to work in the cultural field. You do not need to identify as a professional cultural practitioners, but you should be aiming for this goal.