AFA Support
AFA Support is the direct funding program through which the Austrian Fashion Association supports emerging designers and labels whose work is innovative and of regional interest.
Projects by designers are annually supported with a total of EUR 120,000. The grants awarded are financed by funds of the Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, Public Service, and Sport, as well as funds of the City of Vienna, and they qualify as subsidies according to the Arts Promotion Act. The key criteria for supporting a project are the artistic quality of the project and the international competitiveness of the work of the supported designer.
Next Open Call: 2025
Funding Period
up to 12 months from grant approval
Funding Amount
EUR 15.000,-
maximum funding amount
Funding Rate
100% of project costs
For Consultation and Inquiries
Dalma Monori
+43 660 440 0027
support@afa.co.at
Funded talents
Who is this funding for?
AFA Support supports fashion, accessories, and jewelry designers in seizing growth opportunities and international awareness campaigns. The program promotes both the initial steps in personal career development in the fashion industry and the preparation for starting a fashion label, as well as the expansion of national and international distribution structures.
Adressiert werden damit:
- Designers who consciously engage with contemporary fashion and/or accessory design questions as a central form of artistic expression and contemporary culture.
- Designers who want to expand their portfolio and work on their design style, intending to either establish their own fashion label or work as designers for other brands. AFA Support allows them to experiment and implement new ideas.
- Designers looking to take their fashion label to the next level, implement more complex collections, and present themselves internationally. AFA Support enables collaboration with innovative suppliers, partners, and consultants.
- Designers who have already gained some experience and want to establish their own label. AFA Support facilitates the creation of a brand identity and the development of prototypes.
- Designers aiming to generate attention and make their collections tangible. AFA Support enables presence at international fFashion wWeeks and the creation of brand experiences with professional support from experienced agencies and visionary collaborators.
„With the help of the grant, I can now expand my BA collection into a trilogy that unleashes its full potential.“
Julian Scarry
Eligible for submission are primarily individual fashion creators with Austrian citizenship. Foreign nationals are considered equivalent if they have had their main center of life interests in Austria for at least three years.
The application from students is not possible. Individuals enrolled in a university or college are excluded from applying.
At least one collection of substantial size must have already been publicly presented.
The grant amount for project financing cannot exceed the maximum funding amount of EUR 15,000 per call for submissions.
The grant funds are earmarked for tangible and personnel costs for the development of prototypes and sample collections, tangible and personnel costs for awareness, distribution, and marketing activities (e.g., costs related to participation in festivals, competitions, or trade fairs, fees for agencies, etc.).
Up to and including AFA Support 2023:
The funding rate is a maximum of 80% of project costs.
To fully utilize the maximum funding amount with an underlying funding rate of up to 80%, receipts totaling at least EUR 15,000 and in-kind contributions amounting to at least EUR 3,750 must be provided.
Starting from AFA Support 2024:
The funding rate is a maximum of 100% of project costs.
A prerequisite for funding through AFA Support is a conscious examination of the project’s impact on the environment, people, and society.
Applicants are encouraged to incorporate sustainability and social responsibility into their projects. To achieve a continuous process of improvement during project implementation, they have access to a self-assessment tool to support them. This tool can be downloaded in the “Application Process” section.
The Austrian Fashion Association offers free consultation sessions to determine if AFA Support is suitable for the applicant and their project. Together, the application process will be discussed, and feedback on the portfolio and project proposal will be provided.
Schedule an appointment at support@afa.co.at
The following steps must be completed before submission. Please ensure to adhere to the maximum file sizes.
- ADownload application documents: Grant application, Grant agreement, Cost calculation, Sustainability Self-assessment tool
- Thoroughly read the funding guidelines and reimbursement instructions
- Compile and digitize portfolio (max file size: 25 MB)
- Compile and digitize project folder (design drawings, mood boards, sketches, etc.) (max file size: 25 MB)
- Complete and sign application form
- Complete and sign cost calculation
- Read and sign grant agreement
- Compile press clippings
- Include CV or label description
- For foreign nationals: Provide proof of residence or a copy of the official registration confirmation (.pdf or .jpeg)
- Complete the Self-assessment tool: The Self-Assessment Tool is a tool for fashion designers and creatives to assess responsibility and sustainability within their design processes. This instrument helps define measures, track progress, and identify areas for improvement. The aim is to achieve continuous improvement throughout project implementation. Please note: the Self-Assessment Tool is not part of the jury selection process.
Only complete applications will be presented to the independent expert jury.
The team at the Austrian Fashion Association is available for feedback on application documents until one week before the deadline.
Submission is entirely online. Once the grant is announced, the “Apply Now” button will appear on this page, leading to the application form. Once the form is completed and all attachments are uploaded, the application can be submitted by clicking the submit button on the online form. AFA conducts a preliminary review of all applications and may request additional information and documents from applicants within four working days if necessary. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.
The digital applications are reviewed by the jury consisting of German-speaking fashion experts and evaluated based on assessment indicators. During the jury session, the applications are discussed. Jury members have the option to invite individual applicants for a hearing during the jury session if there are uncertainties. In the event of a jury hearing, designers are asked to prepare a presentation for the jury. If the jury session needs to take place via video conference, the digitally submitted materials will be used, and the presentation can be shown by the applicant via screen sharing. The exact time slots will be communicated via email in due course.
Assessment Indicators:
Creative quality and level of innovation (30 points, exclusion criterion), Marketability (10 points), Project planning (10 points), Sustainability measures (10 points).
Follow-Ups: In the event of funding approval, participation in three follow-up meetings with the Austrian Fashion Association is mandatory.
At the midpoint of the project duration (from the project start date), a comprehensive progress report must be submitted. Please use the “Progress Report” form, complete it in full, and electronically submit it to support@afa.co.at.
The final report, settlement, and documentation material must be submitted no later than three months after the completion of the funded project and within 15 months after any grant approval. Please use the forms “Final Report,”, “Utilization of Work,”, “Expense Statement”, if necessary “In-Kind Contribution Proof” (up to AFA Support 2023 only), and “Calculation & Settlement” (from AFA Support 2024 only), complete them in full, and electronically submit them to support@afa.co.at.
Schlussbericht:
- Comprehensive report and project description
Documentation Material:
- Digital photos (.jpeg, min. 1 MB, max. 10 MB each) and videos including rights assurance and permission for utilization of work
- Printed matter receipts (e.g., lookbooks, PR kits, etc.)
- Publications and evidence of success (e.g., nominations, competition participation, etc.)
Expense statement and original receipts
- Chronologically filled and signed Excel table “Expense Statement” (.xlsx and .pdf)
- Original receipts, including corresponding payment proofs (.pdf)
- If applicable, proof of in-kind contribution up to a maximum of 20% of project costs (up to AFA Support 2023 only)
Calculation & Settlement:
- Complete and sign the Excel table “Calculation & Settlement” (.xlsx and .pdf).
- The total must match the expense statement.
- Different invoices or costs can be written in one cell if the payment reason is identical.
- Add unforeseen cost items.
- Check the “Settlement Check” field.
- If the “Settlement Check” field appears green: The settlement can be submitted to the Austrian Fashion Association.
- If the “Settlement Check” field appears red: There are missing expenses according to the planned and submitted calculation (see “Notes” in the Excel table “Calculation & Settlement”); the settlement cannot yet be submitted to the Austrian Fashion Association. If no further expenses have been incurred, the full funding amount cannot be disbursed. In this case, please arrange a meeting with the Austrian Fashion Association.
Part of a final report is the settlement of the actual project costs. This is based on expense statements, invoice compilations, and reconciled original receipts with payment evidence.
Eligible Costs:
The funding criteria as well as the explanations in the grant application are decisive for proving the dedicated use of funds. It must be ensured that the submitted receipts correspond to the purpose of the funding.
Ineligible Costs:
- Costs not attributable to the project;
- Investment and infrastructure costs;
- Ongoing costs such as personnel costs, operating costs, or continuous services (e.g., tax consulting costs);
- Financing and insurance costs;
- Costs of serial production and costs incurred in the context of services carried out on behalf of third parties;
- Taxes, public levies, and fees;
- Unpaid invoice in partial amounts
- Costs for food and entertainment;
- Taxi receipts;
- Costs resulting from small invoices under EUR 50 net.
VAT:
If the funding recipients are entitled to deduct input tax, only net costs can be included; these must be shown on the receipts and in the expense statement. If the funding recipients are demonstrably not entitled to deduct input tax and thus have to bear the VAT themselves, the gross costs (including VAT) can be funded.
Period for Cost Recognition:
Cost recognition can begin no earlier than the day of the funding approval and ends 12 months from the project start date. If the project cannot be implemented within the deadline, an extension of the deadline must be requested from the AFA.
Submit Only Original Receipts:
Only reconciled original receipts complying with legal requirements can be recognized. Duplicate invoices and copies are only eligible in exceptional cases.
The authenticity of origin, integrity of content, and readability must be guaranteed. Invoices that do not meet these criteria cannot be recognized.
For advance payments, the actual incurring of costs must be proven in the final settlement.
For lump-sum invoices or invoices for lump-sum amounts, a detailed service description must be attached.
Reconciliation Evidence:
Reconciliation evidence must be attached to the original invoices.
In this case:
- Cash Payments: Up to a maximum invoice amount of € 500 net, cash payments can be recognized. The following points must be included on the invoice as evidence of payment: date, signature, and confirmation of the recipient of the payment regarding receipt of the amount. A company stamp must be affixed for companies. For cash sales (cash receipts), the note “Paid in Cash” is already printed, and no additional confirmation is required. If the invoice amount exceeds € 500 net, a bank transfer must be proven.
- Transfers and Online Payments: A booking confirmation confirming the payment execution must be provided for these.
External Personnel Costs:
Persons working on the project based on a work contract (freelancers) can be credited with the hourly rate/monthly lump sum agreed upon in the work contract. The services invoiced must be described, and if necessary, determined exactly in hours and hourly rate on the invoice.
Travel Invoices:
The most cost-effective travel option must be chosen. For flights, the printout of the online booking confirmation and the boarding pass must be submitted. If transport or courier services are used, both the reason for the transport and the route must be specified.
Foreign Currency Invoices/Invoices in Foreign Languages:
For foreign currency invoices, unless shown from the reconciliation evidence (payment confirmation), proof from a bank must be attached, which confirms the current exchange rate at the time of payment.
For documents in a foreign language (except English, French, and Italian), a corresponding certified translation must be provided.
Documents for the application
No, unfortunately, students cannot be funded under the AFA Support program.
The complete list of eligible and ineligible costs is included in the funding guidelines.
In principle, yes. AFA Support aims at continuous funding chains, and applications can be made multiple times. However, automatic funding is not guaranteed. The one-time support of a project through AFA SUPPORT does not guarantee eligibility for further funding.
The AFA Support grants are awarded based on the recommendation of an independent expert jury, each including a representative of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Civil Service, and Sport (BMKÖS). This jury changes annually and consists of representatives from various sectors of the fashion industry including design, media, commerce, art, education, research, and outreach. The expert jury is appointed by AFA. To ensure the independence of the jury, the final confirmation of the jury is provided by the BMKÖS and the Cultural Department of the City of Vienna (MA 7).
The justifications for grant recommendations by the jury are documented. In the event of a rejection of the application, AFA can provide, upon request, oral feedback to the applicant regarding the jury’s decision. However, due to the large number of submissions received, providing detailed feedback may not be possible. Separate consultation appointments with the AFA team can be scheduled throughout the year.
There are no specific guidelines regarding the scope of the portfolio. However, it’s important to ensure that the maximum file size of 25 MB is not exceeded and that the portfolio provides a cohesive and convincing impression of the applicant’s previous work.
The project portfolio serves as a visual complement to the project description and should consist of research materials, mood boards, initial design sketches, sketches, etc. The purpose of the project portfolio is to provide the jury with a better understanding of the artistic development.
- Portfolio or collection of previous works
- Possibly, already partially completed application documents
- Specific questions (e.g., about various funding programs, application and award processes, project planning, distribution and marketing measures, etc.)
The jury meeting typically takes place in the first week of July. The results will be announced by email no later than one week thereafter. The jury provides funding recommendations, which are confirmed by the funding providers, the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Civil Service, and Sport, and the Cultural Department of the City of Vienna. Applicants will be notified immediately of acceptance or rejection.
Yes, AFA SUPPORT funding is subject to taxation and considered as business income. According to the Arts Funding Act (Federal Act of 25 February 1988 on the Promotion of the Arts from Federal Funds) § 3 para. 3, only scholarships within the meaning of para. 1 Z 5 and prizes within the meaning of para. 1 Z 7 are exempt from income tax. https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10009667
„AFA Support will enable me to:
work in my tempo,
work by my rules,
work with my people.“
Hvala Ilija