Deadline: 30-Nov-2026
The Musicboard Berlin Support Tour Grant Programme is a funding initiative designed to support emerging pop musicians and bands based in Berlin. It specifically supports artists who are invited to join established acts as support performers on national or international tours. The programme aims to strengthen the live music ecosystem by enabling artists to gain exposure, build audiences, and develop professional touring experience.
The funding supports popular music in all its forms, including experimental and cross-genre pop music that does not clearly fall under jazz, classical, or new music categories.
Funding Details
The programme offers financial support under the following conditions:
- Maximum funding amount: up to €3,500 per tour
- Funding is expense-based (not a lump sum payment)
- Funds are reimbursed based on actual eligible costs
- Artists and bands may receive funding multiple times
- Funding is allowed for up to two consecutive years
- Only one Support Tour Grant can be received per year
Who is Eligible
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Must be a musician or band based in Berlin
- Must be actively living and working in Berlin
- Must be selected as a support act for a confirmed tour
- Tour must include fixed future dates
- Application must be submitted at least 3 weeks before the tour starts
- Project must be completed by the end of the calendar year
- The tour must require financial support to be feasible
Ineligible Projects and Applicants
The following are not eligible for funding:
- Musicians or bands already funded in the same year
- Artists funded for more than two consecutive years
- Solo concerts without a tour structure
- Tours with fewer than three consecutive concerts outside Berlin
- Tours featuring different headlining acts
- Applications involving jury members or employees of Musicboard Berlin or the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion (including dependents)
How the Programme Works
The application and selection process follows these steps:
- Artist or band is invited as a support act for a confirmed tour
- Applicant prepares a detailed project and budget plan
- Application is submitted online at least 3 weeks before tour start
- Applications are reviewed based on artistic relevance and feasibility
- Approved applicants receive reimbursement-based funding up to €3,500
- Tour must be completed within the same calendar year
Application Requirements
Applicants must provide:
- Proof of confirmed tour dates
- Details of the headlining act
- Budget breakdown of touring costs
- Project description explaining artistic relevance
- Evidence that the tour cannot happen without funding support
Key Objectives of the Programme
The programme aims to:
- Support emerging Berlin-based pop musicians
- Encourage participation in national and international touring circuits
- Increase visibility for new and experimental pop music
- Strengthen professional development for artists
- Promote cultural exchange through live performances
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying without confirmed tour dates
- Submitting applications less than 3 weeks before tour start
- Requesting funding beyond the €3,500 limit
- Applying for solo concerts instead of tours
- Ignoring eligibility restrictions (location, duration, prior funding limits)
- Submitting incomplete budget or documentation
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve chances of approval:
- Ensure the tour is fully confirmed before applying
- Clearly justify financial need and funding gap
- Provide a realistic and detailed budget breakdown
- Highlight artistic value and audience expansion potential
- Demonstrate how the tour supports career development
- Keep documentation clear, structured, and complete
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for the Support Tour Grant?
- Berlin-based musicians or bands
- Artists working in pop or cross-genre experimental music
- Acts selected as support performers on a confirmed tour
- How much funding is available?
- Up to €3,500 per tour
- Based on actual eligible expenses
- Not provided as a lump sum
- When should I apply?
- At least 3 weeks before the tour begins
- Only after receiving confirmed tour dates
- Can I apply more than once?
- Yes, but only under certain conditions
- Funding is allowed for up to 2 consecutive years
- Only one grant per year is permitted
- Are solo performances eligible?
- No, solo concerts are not eligible
- Only structured support tours with at least 3 concerts outside Berlin qualify
- What types of music are supported?
- Pop music in all forms
- Cross-genre and experimental pop music
- Excludes classical, jazz, and new music categories
- What expenses are covered?
- Tour-related, eligible, documented expenses only
- Funding is reimbursed based on actual costs incurred
Conclusion
The Musicboard Berlin Support Tour Grant Programme is designed to support emerging Berlin-based pop musicians and bands in gaining touring experience as support acts. By offering up to €3,500 in reimbursement-based funding, the programme helps artists expand their reach, build professional experience, and participate in national and international tours that would otherwise be financially difficult to execute.
For more information, visit Musicboard Berlin GmbH.