Per Forma Grant Program

The Kyiv Contemporary Music Days (KCMD) platform launches a new edition of the Per Forma grant program providing financial support for project implementation and professional development of artists and collectives in the performing arts in Ukraine.

The program aims to support cultural initiatives across music, theatre, dance and other performing arts practices. The goal is to strengthen the Ukrainian cultural scene and foster new artistic collaborations and forms. 

The program is supported by the Performing Arts Fund NL and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands.

Who can apply

• The Per Forma programme is open to Ukrainian artists and collectives working in the field of performing arts.
• Eligible disciplines include:

• • music;

  • dance;

  • theatre (including improvisational and puppet theatre);

  • artistic reading;

  • performance art;

  • circus arts;

  • pantomime;

  • stand-up comedy;

  • other performing disciplines.

Participation format

• Applications may be submitted individually or on behalf of a collective.
• Contracts may be concluded with:

• • individuals;

  • private organizations;

  • public or civil society organizations.

• Individuals may apply only for small projects.

Basic eligibility requirements

• Applications may be submitted by adult individuals and legal entities working in the performing arts sector.
• Participation in the competition does not require any registration fee.
• Costs related to preparing and submitting the application are not reimbursed by the programme organizer.

Formal eligibility criteria

Applicants must meet the following conditions.

For individuals:

• at least 18 years of age;
• Ukrainian citizenship or residency;
• for non-Ukrainian citizens — documented professional experience in the performing arts sector in Ukraine in recent years.

For legal entities:

• proof of registration of the legal entity in Ukraine no later than 1 March 2025;
• for large project applications — submission of a signed confirmation of financial support for the project.

Tax considerations

• The legal status of the applicant affects the taxation of the grant payment under Ukrainian legislation.
• The application form includes a tax calculation template to help applicants estimate the grant amount after taxes.

Applicants can apply for one of two types of financial support under the programme.

1. Small projects

• The maximum grant amount is up to EUR 1,000 in UAH equivalent.
• The exact amount of funding is determined based on the budget submitted by the applicant.

Key features:

• applications may be submitted by both individuals and legal entities;
• the format is suitable for applicants with less experience in project implementation;
• reporting requirements are simpler compared to larger projects;
• the project does not necessarily need to include public results.

2. Large projects

• The grant amount ranges from EUR 1,000 to EUR 8,000 in hryvnia equivalent.
• The final funding amount is determined based on the submitted budget.

Key features:

• only legal entities are eligible to apply;
• the project must include a public presentation of results (for example, a concert or theatrical performance);
• applicant organizations must include an accountant in the project team;
• projects with a budget exceeding EUR 2,000 will receive the grant in two instalments:

• • 80% as an advance payment;

  • 20% after project implementation.

Note: the indicated grant amounts include taxes.

Total programme budget

• The total programme budget amounts to EUR 202,000.

The Per Forma programme provides grants to support project implementation and professional development of artists and collectives working in performing arts in Ukraine.

Types of activities eligible for funding

Implementation of artistic projects and related expenses, including:

• organization of performances;
• concerts;
• festivals;
• theatrical productions;
• performance events;
• educational events and other cultural activities.

Creation of new artistic works, such as:

• new musical, theatrical, dance, or performance pieces;
• new educational and curatorial programmes;
• theatre productions and choreographic works;
• research activities.

Professional needs related to project implementation, including:

• purchase of materials and technical equipment;
• rental of rehearsal spaces or studios;
• payment for professional services, such as composers, stage designers, or costume designers;
• procurement of props necessary for project implementation.

Application submission

• Applicants must submit an online application through the Per Forma platform and upload all required documents.
• The application deadline is 3 April 2026 at 14:00 (Kyiv time).
• The application period runs from 5 March to 3 April 2026.
• A limit of 500 accepted applications is established; once this number is reached, the application process will be closed.

Evaluation and announcement of results

• After the submission phase, the project selection process takes place.
• Results of the competition will be announced in May 2026.
• All applicants will be notified of the results by email.

Implementation of selected projects

• Selected applicants must implement their projects from 1 June to 16 October 2026.
• Overall, the implementation period for supported projects covers June–October 2026.

Reporting

• Narrative and financial reports must be submitted within three weeks after the completion of the project.
• The final deadline for submitting reports is 30 October 2026.

Application submission

• To apply for the Per Forma programme, applicants must complete an online application form and submit all required documents.
• The application deadline is 3 April 2026 at 14:00 (Kyiv time).

Application limit

• The programme accepts applications until the limit of 500 submitted applications is reached.
• Once this limit is reached, the submission process will be closed.

Announcement of results

• Competition results will be announced in May 2026.
• All applicants will receive notification of the results by email.

General evaluation procedure

• The evaluation of applications takes place in two stages.
• At the first stage, members of the evaluation committee assess applications independently.
• Each application is reviewed by three committee members.
• Applicants are not allowed to contact committee members regarding the evaluation process. Violations may lead to disqualification at any stage of the selection process.

Scoring system

• For small projects, each committee member assigns one overall score on a scale from 0 to 12 points.
• For large projects, evaluation is conducted across six qualitative criteria, each scored from 0 to 5 points.
• Committee members may additionally:

• • highlight projects that demonstrate strong attention to social inclusion and accessibility;

  • assign a special “joker” mark to projects considered particularly interesting.

• Evaluators must also provide brief comments explaining their assessment.

Ranking and final selection

• Based on the scores, separate rankings are formed for small and large projects.
• During the second stage, the programme organizer uses these rankings to determine the optimal number of winners.
• The final decision is made by a simple majority vote of the committee members.
• The selected distribution of grants is recorded in the official protocol and constitutes the final result of the competition.

Additional priority criteria

If several applications receive the same score, priority is given according to additional indicators.

For small projects:

• regional principle (projects closer to areas affected by hostilities receive priority);
• inclusion and accessibility;
• presence of a “joker” mark;
• positive comment or recommendation from a committee member.

For large projects:

• innovation of the project;
• regional priority (areas closer to conflict zones);
• inclusion and accessibility;
• potential impact of the project;
• presence of a “joker” mark;
• positive recommendation from a committee member.

Proof of professional experience

To confirm professional activity in the performing arts sector, applicants must provide:

• a portfolio;
• one of the following documents (optional choice):

• • a CV of the applicant (for individuals) or CVs of key project participants (for legal entities) — up to 2 pages;

  • a biography of the applicant or biographies of key project participants — up to 500 words;

  • a written description of professional experience (for individuals) or a description of the organization’s activities (for legal entities) — up to 500 words.

Documents required for the competition

Applicants must submit the following documents in electronic form:

• a completed application form for participation in the competition;
• documents confirming professional experience in the performing arts sector;
• for legal entities applying with large projects — a signed confirmation of financial support for the project.

Submission requirements

• The application and all accompanying documents must be prepared in Ukrainian.
• By submitting an application, the applicant confirms that all information provided is accurate and truthful.

Additional provisions

• If selected as winners, applicants must provide additional documents required for signing the grant agreement with the programme organizer.
• The programme organizer reserves the right to request additional documents or clarifications to verify the information included in the application.

General implementation requirements

• To ensure efficient, timely, and complete project implementation, relevant control provisions are included in the grant agreements.
• Penalties may be applied in cases of non-performance or partial implementation of the project in relation to the stated objectives and expected results.

Restrictions regarding partners

• During project implementation, it is prohibited to involve entities that have direct or indirect links with representatives of the terrorist state Russian Federation, as well as the Republic of Belarus, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the DPRK.

Financial responsibility

• If the terms of the grant agreement are violated, beneficiaries must return the funds received in full to the programme organizer.

Reporting requirements

• Grant recipients are required to submit narrative and financial reports on project implementation.
• Reports must be submitted no later than three weeks after the project is completed.
• The final deadline for submitting all reports is 30 October 2026.

Information for applicants

• Applicants are informed about reporting requirements at the application stage.
• Beneficiaries independently determine the project completion date while considering the established reporting deadlines.

Projects must be implemented in Ukraine.