Programs

The NAF seeks to further the bonds between the United States and the Netherlands through exchanges in the arts, sciences, education, business and public affairs. The following three programs have been established to fulfill this mission. Please click on the links below to learn more.

  1. Business Exchange
  2. Education Programs
  3. Cultural Grants

Please review our mission and grant guidelines below carefully before you send a letter of inquiry. You may also find our FAQs helpful.

Applicants seeking program grants should submit their proposal under either the cultural or education category. Multiple applications are not accepted.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions on NAF-Fulbright Fellowships
Questions on Education Grants
Questions on Education Loans
Questions on Cultural Grants

NAF-FULBRIGHT FELLOWSHIPS

What is the application process for a U.S. student interested in applying for a NAF/Fulbright Fellowship in the Netherlands?
The Institute of International Education (IIE) in New York processes applications. There is a single application form for all grants for graduate study abroad. Applications and guidelines are available online at IIE.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
Students currently enrolled in an institution of higher education in the United States can identify their on-campus Fulbright Program Adviser (FPA) at Fulbright Program Adviser.

At-large applicants (applicants who are not enrolled in an institution when they submit their applications) may obtain materials from IIE regional centers.

All applicants should review the detailed instructions on the application brochure.
All applications must be submitted to IIE's New York Office by October 23 in order to qualify for awards for the next academic year. Enrolled students should be aware that their applications must be submitted to their adviser by the campus deadline and may not be submitted directly to IIE.

IIE forwards selected applicants to the NAF for review by its Education Committee in mid-March of each year. Selected applicants are notified in mid-April of each year.

The application period for the 2010-2011 Fulbright U.S. Student Program will open May 1, 2009. The deadline for applications will be on or around October 23, 2009. New application materials for each year's Fulbright competition are available annually on May 1.

What is the application process for a Dutch student interested in applying for a NAF/Fulbright Fellowship to study in the United States?

Visit the Fulbright Center in Amsterdam at www.fulbright.nl/ for information on the application process, deadlines, etc.

For questions about the Fulbright program, NAF/ Fulbright grants, contact Linda Pietersen at the Fulbright Center at l.pietersen@fulbright.nl

EDUCATION GRANTS

How do I apply for an education grant from the NAF?
Prospective applicants should send an initial letter of inquiry to the NAF. Guidelines for letters of inquiry are found here.

If it is determined that the project falls within the NAF's current interests and priorities, a full proposal will be requested by letter for further consideration.

The full proposal should be sent to the NAF by November 15 for review at the December meeting of the NAF Education Committee.

Can an individual apply for an education grant?
No. Education grants are awarded to institutions of higher education or non-profit organizations for academic exchange.

Are there deadlines for grant applications?
The NAF staff reviews letters of inquiry on an ongoing basis. All potential grantees however, should submit their letters of inquiry a minimum of six to nine months before the deadline in November each year in order to be invited to submit a full proposal for the December review meeting.

May I fax or e-mail my letter of inquiry?
The Foundation requires an original signed hard copy submitted by mail.

Do we need to submit a budget with our letter of inquiry?
A line-item budget is not required at the letter of inquiry stage, but the total dollar amount of your request is necessary. If your institution is invited to apply, a full budget will be requested.

What should be included in a full proposal? Click here for instructions.
Please go to keyword Education under Grants and Programs for directions for preparing an education grant. Do not send a full proposal without first submitting a letter of inqury.

How long does it take to receive grant funding after I submit my proposal?
If your request is approved for funding, you will be notified by mail within two weeks of the Committee's meeting in the middle of December.

EDUCATION LOANS

What is the difference between an educational loan and a grant?
Grants are not required to be paid back, but NAF interest-free educational loans must be paid back within three years of the date the loan is originally given.

Does the NAF's loan program support undergraduate study?
The NAF does not award loans for individual undergraduate study.

Do you have a geographical focus?
Only U.S. citizens may apply for a NAF study loan to study in the Netherlands, and only Dutch citizens may apply for study in the United States.

How do I apply for a study loan?
Please visit NAF EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM for guidelines and application.

How much tuition assistance is available?
The maximum loan amount for a year of academic study or research is $20,000 (Maarten van Hengel Education Loan Program) or $10,000 (NAF Education Loan Program) and for a summer program $2,000. The maximum loan amount for a year of advanced training is $3,000.

Is there a timeframe for using the assistance?
If you are approved for a loan, it must be used fully during the academic year requested.

What are the loan program criteria that I must follow to be considered?
Academic Program: Priority will be given to students pursuing study or research in an advanced academic degree program (e.g. Masters or Doctoral degree) at an accredited institution of higher learning.

Trainees Program: If funds are available, the NAF will consider requests from individuals who are enrolled in a course, or courses, with the intent of developing a skill or specific technical expertise. The course of study must culminate with the award of a diploma or certificate.

In either case, the student must provide evidence of having been accepted by an academic or training program before the loan is awarded. Only in exceptional circumstances will the Education Committee award a second loan to an individual be considered in a subsequent year.

Do you provide education funding for summer pre-doctoral research or language programs?
Students attending summer programs as part of their graduate education may also apply.

CULTURAL GRANTS

How do I know if my project is eligible for a grant?
Your project:

  1. Must be the work of a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or the Netherlands
  2. Must have a U.S. or Netherlands-based nonprofit organization as sponsor, organizer or affiliation
  3. Must be before or in the formative stage of the project and not have been completed at the time of the grant application
  4. Must be open to the public and reach a wide public audience
  5. Must include copies of contractual agreements if relevant

What types of projects do you fund?
The NAF funds innovative cultural and artistic programs in the Netherlands and the United States that fit within the mission of the Foundation. The NAF has funded music and dance performances, theater, exhibitions, lectures, architectural research, restoration projects, and historical research. To find out more visit Past Grant Recipients to read about recent projects funded by the NAF.

Is it a requirement to be Dutch or are Grants open to other nationalities?
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or the Netherlands and must exemplify cultural exchanges between our two countries.

What types of organizations do you fund?
Grants are awarded not only to established organizations that can leverage their contributions, but also to individual artists and small organizations to which such grants make a difference in a project’s realization. To find out more visit Cultural Grants and Past Grant Recipients to read about recent organizations funded by the NAF.

Do you have a geographical focus?
Yes, the United States and the Netherlands.

How should I submit a formal request for support?
Please visit Cultural Grants: How to Apply for application guidelines and deadlines.

I am planning a trip to the U.S. for a lecture tour and follow-up research on my book. How do I apply for support to cover roundtrip airfare to NYC and local travel, food, and lodging for a two-week trip?
Please visit Cultural Grants: How to Apply for application guidelines and deadlines. If requesting a grant solely to cover travel/lodging expenses, applicants should be aware that the committee rarely funds travel on a project basis.  The Committee prefers to fund pieces of projects that are focused such as educational projects, catalogues, and artist fees that would stand out within the larger budget. 

Does the Foundation have a specific format required for a Budget?
There is no specific format required for a project budget. It should be no more than one page and should include an itemized list of proposed expenditures, as well as other potential funding sources and the status of this funding at the time of application submission. The budget should clearly indicate what budget item(s) you would like the NAF to fund.

Do you have application deadlines?
Please visit Cultural Grants: How to Apply for application deadlines.

How does the Committee make its decisions?
In reviewing applications the Committee is guided by the following criteria:

    1. Proposal completeness and feasibility
    2. Artistic/cultural excellence
    3. Relationship to the cultural interests of the Netherlands and the U.S.
    4. Impact in relation to the NAF mission
    5. Confirmation of venues, etc.
    6. Record of professional activity
    7. Project’s significance as it relates to the applicant’s professional development
    8. Evidence of artistic and financial support from other sources for the project

How often can I apply for funding?
There is no limit, but preference will be given to applicants who have not received support from the Foundation in the twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of the current application.  Final reports from previous projects have to be received and reviewed before additional grants are funded.

Do you offer residencies for American artists in the Netherlands or Dutch artists in the United States?
The Foundation does not currently offer residences for American artists in the Netherlands or Dutch artists in the United States, but we do offer Cultural and Educational Grants and three-year interest-free study loans to eligible American and Dutch students. You can find out more by visiting the Cultural Grants and Educational Grants.