AFA Mentorship Program
The AFA Mentorship Program supports designers by providing them with guidance, expertise, and the necessary tools to succeed in the highly competitive fashion industry.
The awarded grants are financed by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport and the City of Vienna (MA7).
18
Mar
2026
Open Call
17
Jun
2026
Deadline
Funding period
12 Months
Grant Amount
25 hours mentorship valued at EUR 3.500,-
Consultation & Inquiries
Dalma Monori
+36 30 5908767
Partners
Funded talents
AFA Mentorship Program
2025
AFA Support Collection
2019
Startstipendien Mode of the Federal Chancellery
2018
AFA Mentorship Program
2025
Start Scholarships Fashion
2024
AFA Mentorship Program
2025
AFA support
2023
2022
2021
Startstipendien Mode
2020
AFA Mentorship Program
2025
AFA Support
2025
2022
2021
2021
Startstipendien Mode of the Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport (BMKÖS)
2020
About
The AFA Mentorship Program offers tailored mentoring sessions in the areas of finance, branding, sales, e-commerce, PR, production, supply chain management, and sustainability, led by a team of experienced international experts.
Funding
The Austrian Fashion Association awards 5 grants annually, each consisting of mentoring sessions worth EUR 3,500,-. The program aims to equip designers with concrete strategies for building sustainable and successful businesses.
Application process
Applications are submitted online via the website of the Austrian Fashion Association.
The two-stage jury evaluation is carried out by the head mentor and the Austrian Fashion Association.
Application requirements
Eligible applicants are fashion designers who hold Austrian citizenship or permanent residency in Austria and who have already produced at least two collections.
Find all details under “Download section documents”.
Alban Adam
Communication strategy, digital content creation, art direction, copywriting, marketing, advertising strategy
Britta Song
Business development, brand strategy, global retail and wholesale, partnerships, shop-in-shops and pop-ups worldwide
Calvin Holmes
Buying and merchandising, assortment planning, pricing strategy, data analysis
Marlot te Kiefte
Brand strategy, business operations, organizational structure, production and supply chain management, product strategy and merchandising, team building, leadership, sustainability strategies, process and procedure development
Markus Strasser
Design Feedback, Buying and Visual Merchandising, Client Advising / End-Consumer Purchasing Behavior, Pricing Strategy, Art Direction
Pepijn van Eeden
Brand identity, financial management, business operations, investment support, business planning, concept development, financial KPIs, brand positioning
Robin Douglas Westling
PR, wholesale, branding, positioning
Serge Carreira
Brand strategy, brand development, project management, organizational structure and business planning
Stéphanie Veuriot
PR, Fashion Communication
Thibaud Guyonnet
Buying, brand experience, creative retail strategy
Yang Lu
Global E-commerce, Brand-Centric Growth, Omnichannel Strategy & UX, Cross-Border Expansion, Operational Excellence