General Project Funding for Innovative Arts and Culture Projects

Deadline: 31-Jul-2026

The General Project Funding programme provides financial support for large-scale, innovative arts and cultural projects with a strong international dimension and visibility in Germany. Open to established institutions worldwide, the programme requires a minimum funding request of €50,000 and supports projects across visual arts, performing arts, literature, music, dance, film, photography, architecture, and new media.

About the General Project Funding Programme

The General Project Funding programme supports ambitious cultural projects that promote artistic excellence, international collaboration, and cultural exchange. The programme is designed for innovative initiatives that have significant artistic value and contribute to Germany’s cultural landscape while engaging international partners and audiences.

The Foundation allocates up to €10 million annually through two funding rounds each year. Funding decisions are made following jury meetings held in May and November.

The programme is intended to strengthen high-quality cultural initiatives rather than provide ongoing operational support.

Funding Amount

Key funding information includes:

• Minimum funding request: €50,000.
• Annual programme budget: Up to €10 million.
• Funding decisions are made twice each year.
• Grants are awarded as partial financing.

Applicants must contribute a portion of the project budget through their own resources or third-party funding.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Support innovative artistic projects.
• Promote international cultural collaboration.
• Strengthen Germany’s cultural sector.
• Encourage artistic excellence.
• Increase international visibility of cultural initiatives.
• Foster interdisciplinary creativity.
• Support large-scale cultural productions.
• Encourage sustainable cultural partnerships.
• Expand public access to arts and culture.
• Promote cultural exchange across borders.

Supported Artistic Fields

Projects may be submitted from a wide range of artistic disciplines, including:

• Visual arts.
• Performing arts.
• Literature.
• Music.
• Dance.
• Film.
• Photography.
• Architecture.
• New media.
• Interdisciplinary arts.

Projects combining multiple artistic disciplines are also encouraged where appropriate.

Project Requirements

Eligible projects should:

• Be innovative and artistically significant.
• Demonstrate a strong international dimension.
• Achieve visibility within Germany.
• Be large-scale in scope.
• Meet the programme’s funding requirements.
• Not begin before the relevant jury meeting.
• Include a German-language version of all funded media.

Applicants should ensure that projects align closely with the programme’s objectives.

Who is Eligible?

Applications are open to:

• Cultural institutions.
• Museums.
• Foundations.
• Universities.
• Arts organizations.
• Cultural associations.
• Other firmly established institutions.

Applicants may be headquartered:

• In Germany.
• Outside Germany.

Legal form is not restricted, provided the organization is formally established.

Who is Not Eligible?

The following are generally not eligible:

• Individual applicants.
• Informal groups.
• Unestablished initiatives.
• Organizations seeking operational funding.

Individuals may participate only through an eligible established institution.

Financial Requirements

Applicants must:

• Request at least €50,000.
• Secure at least 20% of the total project costs through:
  • Own financial contribution.
  • Third-party funding.
  • Other eligible sources.

The programme provides partial funding, not full project financing.

Ineligible Costs

Funding cannot be used for:

• Operational or institutional funding.
• Purchase of property or equipment unrelated to project activities.
• Construction projects.
• Projects consisting solely of guest performances abroad.
• Printing-only projects.
• Regularly recurring events or annual festivals (except approved cultural beacon projects).

Applicants should carefully review eligible and ineligible expenditure before preparing their budget.

Special Consideration for Cultural Beacons

Regular event series are generally not eligible.

However, exceptions may be considered for projects designated as “cultural beacons”, subject to approval by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Such exceptions are granted only in special circumstances.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should follow these steps.

1. Review the programme guidelines.
2. Confirm institutional eligibility.
3. Develop an innovative project with an international dimension.
4. Secure at least 20% co-financing.
5. Prepare the project budget and supporting documents.
6. Complete all required application forms.
7. Submit the application online in German using the Foundation’s digital application system.
8. Await the Foundation’s preliminary eligibility review.
9. If eligible, the proposal will be evaluated during the next jury session.

Projects must not commence before the relevant jury meeting.

Application Components

Applications generally include:

• Organizational information.
• Project description.
• Artistic concept.
• International collaboration details.
• Project timeline.
• Budget.
• Financing plan.
• Proof of co-financing.
• Required declarations and confirmations.
• Other supporting documents requested by the Foundation.

Applicants should ensure that every section is complete before submission.

Selection Process

The selection process generally includes:

1. Preliminary eligibility review.
2. Administrative assessment.
3. Evaluation by an independent jury.
4. Funding recommendation.
5. Final funding decision.
6. Funding agreement for approved projects.

Funding decisions are made following the May and November jury meetings.

Funding Conditions

Successful applicants must:

• Sign a funding agreement.
• Comply with German budgetary regulations.
• Use funding only for approved project activities.
• Submit financial and narrative reports.
• Provide proof of expenditure.
• Meet all contractual obligations.

Compliance with reporting requirements is mandatory throughout the project period.

Selection Criteria

Applications are expected to be evaluated based on:

• Artistic quality.
• Innovation.
• International relevance.
• Cultural impact.
• Visibility in Germany.
• Project feasibility.
• Financial sustainability.
• Organizational capacity.
• Quality of partnerships.
• Overall contribution to cultural exchange.

Projects demonstrating both artistic excellence and international collaboration are expected to be particularly competitive.

Why This Funding Matters

International collaboration plays an important role in strengthening artistic innovation and cultural dialogue.

This programme helps:

• Support ambitious cultural projects.
• Foster global artistic partnerships.
• Increase international visibility.
• Encourage interdisciplinary creativity.
• Promote cultural diversity.
• Strengthen Germany’s cultural landscape.
• Expand audience engagement.
• Build long-term international networks.
• Support sustainable cultural development.
• Advance artistic innovation.

By funding large-scale projects, the programme contributes to a vibrant and internationally connected cultural sector.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid these common mistakes.

• Requesting less than €50,000.
• Failing to secure the required 20% co-financing.
• Starting the project before the jury meeting.
• Submitting applications in a language other than German.
• Applying as an individual.
• Including ineligible expenses.
• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Proposing projects without a clear international dimension.

Strong applications clearly demonstrate artistic excellence, international collaboration, realistic budgeting, and compliance with all programme requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the General Project Funding programme?

It is a funding programme that supports large, innovative arts and cultural projects with a strong international dimension and public visibility in Germany.

Who can apply?

Established institutions headquartered in Germany or abroad, regardless of legal form, are eligible to apply. Individual applicants and informal groups are generally not eligible.

What is the minimum funding request?

Applicants must request at least €50,000.

How much co-financing is required?

Applicants must secure at least 20% of the total project cost through their own resources or third-party funding.

Which artistic disciplines are eligible?

Eligible disciplines include visual arts, performing arts, literature, music, dance, film, photography, architecture, new media, and interdisciplinary cultural projects.

Can projects start before funding decisions are made?

No. Projects must not begin before the relevant jury meeting in which the application is considered.

What makes a strong application?

Competitive applications demonstrate outstanding artistic quality, innovation, a clear international dimension, strong visibility in Germany, realistic budgeting, experienced project management, and compliance with all programme requirements.

Conclusion

The General Project Funding programme offers substantial support for large-scale, internationally oriented arts and cultural projects that promote artistic excellence and cross-border collaboration. With annual funding of up to €10 million, the programme provides established institutions with an opportunity to develop ambitious cultural initiatives that engage international audiences while contributing to Germany’s cultural landscape. Organizations planning innovative projects with strong artistic and international value are encouraged to prepare well-developed proposals that meet the programme’s funding and eligibility requirements.

For more information, visit German Federal Cultural Foundation.