The Pro Helvetia Global Research Trip 2026 offers eligible cultural practitioners from Switzerland up to CHF 5,000 to undertake a two- to four-week research trip outside the regions covered by Pro Helvetia liaison offices. Applications are accepted year-round and can support travel, accommodation, daily allowances and local coaching.
Pro Helvetia Global Research Trip 2026
Cultural practitioners looking to expand their international networks and conduct research within a new cultural environment can consider the Global Research Trip offered by Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council.
The programme supports a two- to four-week global research trip to destinations outside the areas covered by Pro Helvetia’s liaison offices. It is designed to encourage research, professional exchange and connections with local cultural scenes.
Unlike opportunities with a single annual deadline, this programme accepts applications throughout the year, giving eligible applicants greater flexibility when planning their research projects.
Official Pro Helvetia Global Research Trip page
What Is the Global Research Trip?
The Global Research Trip is a funding opportunity for cultural practitioners from Switzerland who want to undertake a specific research project abroad.
The programme is intended to combine research with a clear professional interest in the selected destination. Applicants are also expected to use the trip to expand their networks within the local cultural scene.
Supported trips should last between two and four weeks. Pro Helvetia also encourages applicants, for environmental reasons, to consider a travel period of at least two weeks.
The opportunity is available across the disciplines supported by Pro Helvetia.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is intended for cultural practitioners from Switzerland who are active in one of the disciplines supported by Pro Helvetia.
Applications can be submitted by:
- Individual cultural practitioners
- Duos
The programme specifically identifies the target group as practitioners with a connection to Switzerland.
Applicants should also satisfy the programme’s general requirements in addition to the specific criteria for Global Research Trips.
What Are the Main Eligibility Requirements?
Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed research trip has a clear professional purpose.
1. A Specific Research Project
The proposed trip should be connected to a defined research project rather than being presented simply as general travel or professional development.
Applicants need to explain what they intend to research and why the selected destination is relevant to their work.
2. Professional Interest in the Destination
The chosen destination should have a clear connection to the applicant’s professional objectives.
The application should explain why conducting research in that particular location is important to the proposed project.
3. Local Cultural Networking
Applicants should demonstrate an intention to expand their network within the local cultural scene.
This is an important component of the programme because the research visit is intended to facilitate exchange and professional connections.
4. Local Coaching Partner
Applicants must provide written proof of an expression of interest from a coach from the local cultural scene.
The coaching partner could, for example, be an:
- Artist
- Festival
- Cultural institution
- Museum
- Curator
The local coach is expected to support networking and exchange and accompany the research process.
5. Language Skills
Applicants must have sufficient knowledge of English or the relevant language or languages of the destination.
This requirement is important because the programme involves local networking, research and professional exchange.
How Much Funding Is Available?
Successful applicants can receive a financial contribution of up to CHF 5,000.
The funding can support several costs associated with the research trip, including:
- Accommodation
- Travel expenses
- Daily allowances
- Local coaching partners
The programme also provides an additional form of support for eligible applicants with childcare responsibilities.
Childcare Support
Artists and cultural practitioners with childcare responsibilities can apply for up to CHF 1,000 toward childcare or travel expenses for their children and, where necessary, a carer.
The programme states that this can also apply where the child or children remain at home under care.
Applicants requesting this additional support must provide a budget covering the relevant expenses in advance.
What Should Be Included in the Application?
Applicants should prepare a detailed application explaining their proposed research trip and professional objectives.
The required application content includes:
Motivation
Applicants should provide a detailed explanation of their motivation for undertaking the research trip.
This should establish why the project is important to their professional practice and why the proposed destination is appropriate.
Duration and Destination
The application should specify:
- Desired length of stay
- Proposed destination
The trip must fall within the programme’s two- to four-week framework.
CV and Portfolio
Applicants must provide their CV and portfolio to demonstrate their professional background and cultural practice.
A well-organised portfolio can help contextualise the proposed research project and demonstrate the applicant’s professional experience.
Local Coaching Partner
Written evidence of interest from the proposed local coaching partner must be included.
This demonstrates that the applicant has already established a potential professional connection in the destination.
Budget
Applicants must provide a breakdown of their proposed budget.
The budget should account for the costs associated with the research stay and should be consistent with the requested financial contribution.
Application Timeline
One of the notable features of the Global Research Trip programme is its flexible application schedule.
| Application Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | Open year-round |
| Decision notification | Eight weeks after submission |
| Earliest project start | Three months after submission |
| Research trip duration | 2–4 weeks |
| Maximum financial contribution | CHF 5,000 |
| Additional childcare support | Up to CHF 1,000 |
Applicants should therefore plan ahead because the programme states that the earliest project start date is three months after submitting the application.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online through the Pro Helvetia application portal.
Send your application to Pro Helvetia
Before submitting an application, prospective applicants should make sure they have prepared their research concept, destination information, CV, portfolio, local coaching partner confirmation and budget.
Applicants should also review Pro Helvetia’s general requirements because the Global Research Trip criteria apply alongside the organisation’s general funding requirements.
Selection Criteria
Pro Helvetia assesses applications using the specific criteria established for the Global Research Trip as well as its general decision-making process.
The programme specifically highlights:
Research quality and purpose: The application should present a specific research project with a professional interest in the selected destination.
International networking: The applicant should demonstrate an intention to develop connections within the local cultural scene.
Local collaboration: A local cultural professional or organisation should express an interest in supporting the research and networking process.
Language capability: Applicants need sufficient knowledge of English or the language used at the destination.
These criteria mean that applicants should present the trip as a focused professional research project rather than simply an opportunity to travel internationally.
Important Information About Travel
Pro Helvetia notes that it does not take responsibility for visa approvals for artists or accompanying children, partners, family members or caregivers.
Applicants are therefore responsible for considering the immigration and travel requirements associated with their destination.
The programme also advises applicants to follow current travel advice and does not recommend travel to risky areas. Prospective applicants should consult the relevant Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice before finalising their plans.
Frequently Asked Questions and Additional Guidance
Pro Helvetia provides a dedicated FAQ document for Global Research Trips. Applicants who need clarification about the programme should review this material alongside the main opportunity page.
Download the Global Research Trips FAQ
The FAQ can be particularly useful when preparing the application and understanding the programme’s funding and administrative requirements.
Why This Opportunity Could Be Valuable
For cultural practitioners with a clearly defined international research objective, the Global Research Trip provides more than financial assistance.
The combination of travel funding, daily allowances and local coaching can create an opportunity to establish meaningful connections with cultural practitioners in another country.
The requirement for a local coaching partner also encourages applicants to think about international exchange before they begin their trip. Instead of arriving without an established professional network, applicants are expected to identify someone within the destination’s cultural scene who can support local networking and research.
For practitioners whose work would benefit from exposure to another cultural environment, this structure can make the research trip more focused and professionally relevant.
Final Thoughts
The Pro Helvetia Global Research Trip 2026 is an international research funding opportunity for eligible cultural practitioners from Switzerland seeking to undertake a focused research project abroad.
The programme offers up to CHF 5,000, with funding available for travel, accommodation, daily allowances and local coaching. Applicants with childcare responsibilities may also request up to CHF 1,000 in additional support for eligible childcare or related travel expenses.
Applications are open year-round, but prospective applicants should plan carefully because Pro Helvetia indicates that decisions are communicated approximately eight weeks after submission and projects cannot start earlier than three months after the application is submitted.
A competitive application should clearly explain the research project, professional motivation, destination, proposed duration and budget while demonstrating a genuine intention to connect with the local cultural scene.
Applicants should review the official requirements carefully and submit their applications through the Pro Helvetia portal.
SEO Keywords: Pro Helvetia Global Research Trip 2026, Pro Helvetia funding 2026, Global Research Trip Switzerland, CHF 5,000 cultural grant, Swiss Arts Council funding, Pro Helvetia grants, international research grants for artists, cultural research funding, artist mobility grants, cultural practitioner grants, international artist research opportunities, Switzerland arts funding, research trip funding, artist travel grants, cultural exchange grants, international cultural mobility, artist residency funding, creative research grants, cultural practitioners Switzerland, global research opportunities for artists, arts and culture grants 2026, European artist mobility opportunities, Swiss cultural funding, international arts opportunities, artist development grants
