Night Pulse

NachtPulse is a Nijmegen-based fund promotes nightlife. Do you want to try out innovative concepts, provide opportunities for new talent, or make the nightlife more inclusive and accessible? With NachtPulse, you’ll receive financial support to bring your idea to life and contribute to a vibrant nightlife in Nijmegen.

For whom

NachtPulse is for everyone active in Nijmegen's night culture: starting and emerging makers, young initiatives, organizations and venues. Whether you are organizing your first club night, want to start an experimental art project or build a new community: if your plan adds something new or special to what is already there, we warmly invite you to join.

Within NightPulse, there are two schemes:

• Make the Night (For creators and new initiatives)
  The maximum amount you can apply for as a creator or initiative is €3,000, including VAT.
• Offer the stage (For organizations and venues)
  The maximum amount you can apply for as an organization or venue within night culture is € 2,000, including VAT.

Please note that with 'Offer the stage' you are requesting an amount to cover any shortfall if ticket sales or income are lower than expected. Different from 'Make the Night', where you apply for budget to carry out a project. Read a detailed explanation of the schemes below.

The two schemes cannot be combined. So if a creator or initiative receives NightPulse, the venue or organization where the program takes place cannot apply for NightPulse again for the same project, and vice versa.

Game Rules

• The plan should be an addition to the Nijmegen night (culture).
• The event or final product must be publicly accessible or available.
• The plan cannot be implemented (in this way) without support from NightPulse.
• The project will not take place during the Nijmegen Four Days Marches festivities.
• Your application must be submitted at least 6 weeks before the project start date. The start date is the date on which you will begin the work or incur the costs described in your project plan and/or budget.
• The project is not supported by any other funds or schemes of the Municipality of Nijmegen or Cultuur Academy .

How do I sign up for NachtPulse?

You can apply for NachtPulse using the online application form below. There are two different forms: one for creators and initiatives (“Create the Night”) and one for venues and organizations (“Offer a Stage”). Please note that you’ll need to upload several documents (including a budget and track record). Make sure you have these ready to submit with your application. Would you prefer to explain your plan in a meeting? That’s also an option. You’ll find more information about this in the application form. Would you like to view a sample application form first, so you know which questions to answer? If so, click on the links below.

• Sample Application Formfor "Maak de nacht."
• Sample Application Form for "Bied het podium."

💡Tip: Did you know that you can also include your own fee in your NachtPulse application? Fair Pay is an important part of the Fair Practice Code, so make sure you pay yourself fairly, too. Read more here about what constitutes appropriate compensation.

Application rounds and budget

Round 1 | 2026
Submissions open Monday, February 2, 2026
Round 2 | 2026
Submissions open Monday, September 7, 2026

Click here to start your application for "Maak de nacht"

Click here to start your application for "Bied het podium"

Review

NachtPulse is coordinated by Maike Pijnappel. She reviews each application first and will contact you if anything is missing or unclear. Do you have any questions or concerns beforehand? Email Maike at nachtpulse@cultuuracademy.nl or call 06 36277689 during office hours on Tuesdays between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

The evaluation itself is conducted by a panel of five independent advisors with extensive knowledge of nightlife and Nijmegen. We submit every application that meets the criteria to two randomly selected advisors. Naturally, we take great care to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Naim Abu

NachtPulse Consultant

Angela Verkuijlen

NachtPulse Consultant

Niels Leferink

NachtPulse Consultant

Moniek Klabbers

NachtPulse Consultant

Freek Lamers

NachtPulse Consultant

Help with your NightPulse application

Making an application is not an everyday occurrence for everyone. That's why there are several ways to get you started:

Do you have any questions?
Check the FAQ first. If you can’t find the answer there, please contact coordinator Maike Pijnappel. You can reach her by email or by phone during office hours on Tuesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Would you like some help with writing?
Join us for the writing sessions we’ll be organizing soon (more information to follow) or come to the Cultuur Academy s Monday Club! Together, we’ll make sure your plan comes to life on paper.

Want to stay up to date on NachtPulse? Then follow us on Instagram.

Do you have any questions about NachtPulse? Please contact coordinator Maike Pijnappel at nachtpulse@cultuuracademy.nl or by phone at 06 36277689 during the grant consultation hours every Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.