Applicants must propose a creative project that falls within one of the following creative domains and ensures it aligns with the mission of community upliftment for the additional RM5,000 bonus qualification:

• Digital Content & Storytelling: Short films, documentaries, or social media campaigns that raise awareness for social causes.
• Music & Sound: Writing and recording an original song or song that promotes positivity or social causes.
• Design & Visual Arts: Mural arts for community spaces, sustainable fashion initiatives, or eco-friendly product design.
• Performance & Movement: Developing a dance routine or a “flash mob” that brings a message of hope or health to a specific community, or cheerleading to build school spirit or “cheer on” a social cause.
• Creative Workshops: Educational programs that teach creative skills (painting, dancing, editing) to underprivileged or marginalised communities.

Eligibility Criteria

Before preparing your application materials, please ensure you fulfill the following core requirements:

• Target Group: Emerging creative talents aged 15–30. (This fund is specifically designed for those at the entry or early-growth stage of their creative journey)
• Nationality: Open strictly to Malaysian citizens currently residing in Malaysia.  
• Portfolio: Must have samples of past works, which can be either published or unpublished.
• Exclusion: Established professionals with a significant commercial track record or existing major corporate sponsorships are ineligible for this fund.

Application Process

• Step 1: Prepare Your Application Submission
  Once eligibility is confirmed, you must prepare the following two mandatory submission components:
  • A 2-Minute Introduction Video: A short pitch introducing who you are and your creative passion. In this video, you must outline your project goals, explain how you intend to achieve them, and share whether you have any past experience executing similar ideas to demonstrate your project’s feasibility.
  • Additional Bonus: Explain how your project is able to leave a positive social impact (i.e. project that raises awareness on social issue(s)/cause(s) and/or outreaches to the marginalised communities.)
  • Mentorship Option: 菲道尔 Firdhaus, our CUCKOO CSR Friend, can also act as a mentor for your project. If you wish to receive his mentorship, use this video to share why.
  • Project Proposal: A comprehensive document outlining your exact project dates, execution timeline, structured budget breakdown, and expected community/social impact (if any).  

• Step 2: Submit via the CUCKOO Website
  Submit your application by clicking on the ‘CUCKOO Dream Fund Application’ button below.

• Step 3: Shortlist Evaluation & Interview
  Our internal panel will thoroughly review all submitted videos and proposals. 
  If shortlisted, you will be required to attend an official interview to share your project idea in detail and conduct a short live demonstration or demo of your craft.  

• Step 4: Approval & Fund Disbursement
  Successful candidates will receive formal approval from the panel. Your project funding will be systematically disbursed, and your official mentorship tracking period under 菲道尔 Firdhaus’s guidance will begin (if applicable).

Application Timeline

The RM100,000 fund pool is split evenly across two (2) application cycles on a first-come, first-served basis:

*Note: Project execution window refers to the period when your project must be executed/conducted.

Applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to balance creative excellence with practical, structured execution. Our internal panel, consisting of the CUCKOO Malaysia Management Team and  菲道尔 Firdhaus, scores submissions using the following scoring system: