Deadline: 15-Dec-2025
The Goethe-Institut is accepting applications for its Mobility Grants Programme for African and European artists to collaborate, co-create, and exchange knowledge across borders.
The overall objective is to contribute to improved Euro-African cultural cooperation, exchange, co-creation and dissemination with a view to promoting intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding. The specific objective is to create and improve Africa-Europe Culture Cooperation schemes and mechanisms that foster co-creation, co-production, exchange, capacity-building and dissemination amongst European and African artists, creators and culture actors. The programme targets African and European artists, culture professionals and operators with special attention to youth, women and persons with disabilities.
This mobility scheme primarily supports transcontinental Africa-Africa short-term mobility for artists and culture professionals across all sectors, while European artists and organisations may also apply provided they have an existing partnership with an African artist, institution or organisation. The scheme aims to strengthen partnerships within Africa, enhance career development and create new opportunities for cultural exchange across Sub-Saharan Africa and with Europe.
The programme provides financial support through mobility grants of up to €4,000 per applicant, covering costs such as travel, visas, insurance, accommodation, subsistence, and digital connectivity needs. In addition to standard expenses, the scheme offers top-up support for childcare, disability-related needs, and environmentally sustainable travel options. A total of 195 grants will be awarded throughout the programme period, with applications accepted on a rolling basis and evaluated quarterly.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and established as artists or culture professionals in disciplines including visual arts, performing arts, music, literature, film, media arts, cultural heritage, design, architecture, and fashion design. They must be based in Sub-Saharan Africa or the European Union and provide a clear purpose for mobility along with a confirmed connection or invitation in the destination country. Applications are open to both individuals and teams, provided all eligibility criteria are met.
The scheme supports a wide range of activities such as artistic research, co-creation, professional development, cultural exchange, residencies, exhibitions, and collaborative projects. Mobility can take the form of physical, digital, or hybrid formats, reflecting the flexibility needed for international cooperation.
Evaluation is based on artistic quality, innovation, relevance, preparation, long-term impact, and technical capacity. The process includes an eligibility check, technical evaluation, and review by an external selection committee. Cross-cutting considerations such as gender equality, inclusion, geographic diversity, linguistic diversity, and balance across career stages will also be factored into the final selection.
Applications must be submitted in English through the designated online platform, accompanied by mandatory documents including a portfolio, CV or biography, letter of invitation, project timeline, budget breakdown, and valid identity document. The final deadline for submissions is 15 December 2025, with results announced within ten weeks of each cut-off date.
For more information, visit Goethe-Institut.
