Fundación Botín — €23,000 grant for an individual art project lasting 9 months
Nine months of stable funding is not just support, but an opportunity to build your own trajectory without haste or external pressure. The Fundación Botín programme is aimed at artists working on individual projects where research, production and the development of an authorial language are important.
The grant is intended for specific artistic projects, not theoretical research. It supports practice — working with materials, space, form, and ideas. Funding amounts to €23,000 and is provided directly for a period of nine months.
Who can apply
Artists of any nationality may apply. There are no citizenship restrictions.
Applicants are expected to present a clearly defined individual project, demonstrate an understanding of its implementation stages, and be ready to work independently for nine months. This is not a starter grant for beginners. The programme is intended for artists with an established practice and portfolio.
What makes this grant strategically important
The grant includes more than just financial support. Once the project is complete, the participants’ work is presented at Centro Botín as part of the Itinerarios programme.
This does not necessarily take the form of a traditional exhibition in a gallery. Depending on the project, the presentation may take the form of an exhibition, a performance, a public presentation of research, a video screening or any other suitable means of display. The format is discussed with the artist and selected so that the work is presented in the most accurate and understandable way for the public.
The foundation also reserves the right to purchase works created during the grant period and continues to monitor the professional development of artists after the programme’s completion. Over the years, more than 200 artists have received support from the grant, and many of them are now actively working in an international context.
Who is this really suitable for
This grant is intended for artists who already have an established practice. It is important not just to have an idea, but to be able to present a clear project with stages of implementation and a specific logic for development.
If you are just starting out and do not have any completed projects or exhibition experience, the programme may prove challenging. The foundation expects a mature approach and an understanding of how the nine-month period will be used to really advance your practice.
It is important to note that
the grant is incompatible with other institutional funds for similar projects, is paid in stages, requires a final report, and requires mandatory mention of Fundación Botín in all publications.
Applications are submitted in two stages: online registration and sending a printed version by post. Documents are accepted in Spanish or English.
Tip: if your project involves working outside your country of residence, it is important to think about logistics, contacts and the working environment in advance. The foundation is not looking for ideas “in search of a home”, but rather a well-thought-out action plan.
The programme supports only six projects each year. One of the grants is prioritised for a Spanish artist or resident of Spain under the age of 30 who plans to implement a project abroad. This means that the competition remains selective, and the application must be clear, well thought out and professionally presented.
Submission deadline: 8 May 2026.
