The Finnish Illustration Association Kuvittajat ry will award a total of €155,000 for illustration projects. The monthly grant amount is €2,500, and the grant can be applied for a duration of one to three working months. The grants are intended solely for artistic work (covering labor costs, not overhead or materials) and will be awarded to individual professional illustrators or working groups. Emerging professional illustrators are also encouraged to apply. A three-member jury of experts will select the recipients in May 2026.

The grants are funded by copyright remunerations collected by Kopiosto. Please read the application instructions carefully. Information regarding grants for projects that broadly benefit the illustration sector can be found at the end of the instructions.

How to apply

Who can apply for a project grant, and what types of projects are eligible?

A professional illustrator or working group may receive a project grant no more than once every two years. While the project must be centered on illustration, it may also incorporate multidisciplinary, commercial, or research elements. Project work (or the specific phase of a long-term project for which you are seeking funding) must begin no earlier than June 2026, following the grant awards.

Grant Selection Criteria

The project grants from Kuvittajat ry are open to all illustration professionals, regardless of their background. We welcome and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants.

If you are applying as an individual and are not a full member of Kuvittajat ry, please include a comprehensive, up-to-date CV and portfolio. This allows us to verify your professional status and ensure you meet the equivalent criteria for full membership.

Submitting a Kopiosto Authorization is vital for Kuvittajat ry, as these rights enable the association to distribute grants. You can provide your authorization via the Kopiosto online service. If you are unable to complete this online, please contact our office at info@kuvittajat.fi. You may also verify your authorization status through our office or via Kopiosto’s Rightsholder Services.

While authorization and membership in Kuvittajat ry are not mandatory for applicants, they may be considered by the jury as “tie-breaking” factors when evaluating otherwise equal applications.

How to Write a Strong Proposal?

To apply, you will need a concise and clear project description. Your application should address the following:

• What is the project, how will it be executed, and what is the estimated timeline?
• Provide details regarding any partners involved and any existing funding you have secured.
• Explain what makes the project special—whether through its visual language, content, or collaboration—and why it merits the support of a project grant.
• You may mention if you belong to an underrepresented or minority group within the illustration sector or society at large, or if your project contributes to the diversity of the field. The jury is instructed to take these factors into account when evaluating otherwise equal applications.

What should the visual attachments include?

You may include sketches, finished illustrations, or examples of the visual style you intend to use for your project. Please provide between 2 and 6 images. Complete your application carefully and ensure all relevant attachments are included. Please note that applications cannot be edited once they have been submitted.

Grants for projects that benefit the illustration field on a large scale

During April, you can also apply for grants for projects that benefit the illustration field as a whole. These projects must benefit the entire industry or a broad group of illustrators. In the past, grants have been awarded for initiatives such as workshop series for professional development, the development of regional cooperation between illustrators, guides and publications presenting the field of illustration, and events that promote the sector. You can view the lists of grants awarded in 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022 for reference.

The project may be multidisciplinary; however, the grant can only be awarded for the specific portion of the project that benefits and promotes the illustration field. Grants in this category typically range from 2,500 to 7,500 euros. Please note that personal projects—even significant ones—should not be submitted under this specific call. It is difficult to transfer applications between different grant categories, so please ensure you are applying to the correct one.

Apply for a Project Grant

The application period opens on April 1st and closes on April 30th, 2026, at 23:59 (EEST / Helsinki time).

Kuvittajat ry uses an online grant management system that requires you to log in or register before submitting your application. Technical support is available directly through the system’s messaging feature. Applications may be submitted in Finnish, Swedish, or English.

Kuvittajat ry retains applications and their attachments only as long as necessary for the purposes of grant awards, statistics, or research. Grant reports are kept for long-term statistical purposes.

Questions about the Project Grant?

Please consult our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) here.

Support and Accessibility

If you have any questions about completing the application, encounter technical issues, or have specific accessibility needs regarding the form, please contact our Organization Coordinator, Emilia Alm, at emilia.alm@kuvittajat.fi. We are happy to provide further information and support.