Deadline: 31-Jan-2026
The European Commission’s Culture Moves Europe Grant Programme supports artists and cultural professionals across Creative Europe countries through individual mobility and residency projects. It funds projects in sectors such as music, literature, performing arts, visual arts, design, architecture, and cultural heritage, providing travel and daily allowances, top-ups, and opportunities for virtual mobility in exceptional cases. Applications are open to legal residents of Creative Europe countries, including individuals living in exile or under humanitarian protection.
What is Culture Moves Europe?
Culture Moves Europe is an initiative by the European Commission designed to promote international cultural and artistic mobility. It enables artists and cultural professionals to travel, collaborate, and develop projects in a Creative Europe country other than their country of residence. The programme prioritizes gender, geographical, regional, and sectoral balance, sustainability, inclusion, and adherence to European Union values such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and minority rights.
The programme includes two main call types:
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Call for Individual Mobility: For artists and cultural professionals, either individually or in groups.
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Call for Residency Hosts: For legal entities willing to host residencies for international artists and professionals.
Eligible Sectors
The grant supports projects in the following creative disciplines:
Who is Eligible?
Eligible participants include:
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Artists and cultural professionals aged 18 or older.
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Legal residents of Creative Europe countries, which include the 27 EU Member States, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, and Ukraine.
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Individuals of all educational backgrounds and professional experience levels.
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Artists and cultural professionals living in exile with refugee or humanitarian protection status.
Residency hosts must be legal entities capable of supporting international residencies.
Funding and Allowances
The programme offers financial support through:
1. Travel Allowance
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€400 for distances under 5,000 km
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€800 for distances 5,000 km or more
2. Daily Allowance
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€85 per day for physical mobility projects
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€40 per day for virtual projects in exceptional cases
3. Additional Top-Ups (subject to eligibility and documentation)
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Green mobility
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Travel to Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) or Outermost Regions (OR)
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Family responsibilities
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Visa requirements
Virtual or hybrid projects are permitted only under exceptional circumstances, such as disability or safety risks.
Project Objectives
Applicants must pursue at least two of the following objectives:
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Explore – Investigate new ideas or cultural practices.
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Create – Produce new artistic or cultural work.
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Learn – Acquire new knowledge or skills.
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Connect – Build collaborations with international partners.
Projects must:
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Be implemented in a Creative Europe country different from the applicant’s residence.
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Include cooperation with an international partner from the destination country.
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Have a signed invitation letter from the partner.
Project Duration:
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Individual projects: 7–60 days
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Group projects (up to 5 participants): 7–21 days; all participants must work in the same place, at the same time, for the same duration
How to Apply
Step 1: Prepare Documents
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Proof of legal residence
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Official identification
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CV (short professional biography)
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Artistic and creative portfolio
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Invitation letter from international partner
Step 2: Submit Application
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Use the Goethe-Application Portal
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Complete the Call for Individual Mobility 2025–2026 form
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Upload all documents in PDF format
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Submit the application in English
Step 3: Follow Deadlines
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Rolling call from 1 October 2025 to 30 April 2026
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Applications submitted within a calendar month are reviewed at month-end
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Notifications are sent within eight weeks
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Example: January deadline is 31 January 2026, 23:59:59 CET/CEST
Common Mistakes and Tips
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Missing required documents can result in disqualification.
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Ensure project duration matches individual vs. group limits.
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Applications must be in English.
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Verify residency, sector, and age eligibility before applying.
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Virtual projects are allowed only in exceptional cases.
Tips for Success:
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Collaborate early with your international partner.
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Align your project clearly with two or more objectives.
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Highlight sustainability, inclusion, and EU values in your proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can a group larger than five people apply?
No, groups are limited to five participants who work together in the same place, at the same time, and for the same duration.
2. Are virtual projects fully funded?
Virtual projects receive a €40 daily allowance and limited top-ups, only under exceptional circumstances.
3. Can my project involve a partner outside Creative Europe countries?
No, only partners from Creative Europe countries or OCT/OR regions are eligible.
4. Are artists in exile eligible?
Yes, artists and cultural professionals with refugee or humanitarian protection status legally residing in a Creative Europe country are encouraged to apply.
5. Can I submit multiple applications?
Yes, each application must meet eligibility requirements and be a distinct project.
6. What sectors are eligible?
Architecture, Cultural Heritage, Design and Fashion Design, Literature, Music, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts.
7. How are applications evaluated?
Applications are assessed based on quality, objectives, international collaboration, and alignment with EU values.
Why Culture Moves Europe Matters
Culture Moves Europe strengthens cross-border cultural collaboration, enhances professional development, and promotes EU values of inclusion and sustainability. By supporting international mobility, artists and cultural professionals can expand networks, explore new practices, and connect diverse audiences.
For more information, visit European Commission.
