Open call: Work stays abroad cultural exchange

The scheme offers individual grants to musicians, composers, and music creators to undertake working stays lasting between two and four weeks in a host country of their choice. These stays are intended to encourage artistic research, promote professional exchange, and establish new collaborative relationships.

Who is eligible

The programme is open to individual musicians and composers active within the German music scene who wish to jointly develop new artistic concepts with collaborators or institutions abroad.

What is funded

The grant supports:

• Working stays of two to four weeks in a host country of the applicant’s choice.
• Research and groundwork for future large-scale artistic projects.
• Collection of material for (co-)productions in the host country.
• The development and/or production of initial collaborative works with local artists.
• The initiation of networks with fellow creatives and cultural stakeholders.

Funding includes travel costs and a stipend to cover accommodation, meals, and other living expenses during the stay.

Note: The following are not eligible for funding:

• Album productions, tours, guest performances, pre-existing artistic residencies, masterclasses, summer schools, academic research trips, training seminars, teaching appointments, tourist travel, or family visits.
• Travel to German-speaking countries outside of Germany.

Funding criteria

Applications should meet the following criteria:

• All project partners are well-established within their respective local music scenes.
• The proposal outlines a clear concept for international artistic research and exchange.
• The project is expected to have a lasting artistic or social impact on the participating music scenes.
• Ideally, some tangible results will emerge during the stay itself within the host country’s local scene.
• Where applicable, collaboration with a local Goethe-Institut is encouraged to explore opportunities for project-related public activities (e.g. concerts, workshops, lectures, panel discussions).
• Goethe-Institut places emphasis on sustainable travel; for journeys under seven hours or 600 km, rail travel is preferred. Additional costs incurred by choosing more sustainable transport options (e.g. train over air) will be considered for funding.

Application requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

• A detailed project proposal including aims and artistic vision.
• Description of how the project connects with the host country’s music scene, including documentation of existing partnerships.
• A proposed travel itinerary (with dates, destinations, contacts, and institutions involved).
• List of participants and their roles, if applicable (particularly for co-productions).
• Information on possible collaboration with a local Goethe-Institut.
• An artistic CV or biography.
• A financial plan detailing all expected costs, including any local or third-party contributions
• A current audio sample of the applicant’s work (via link).
• Two cost comparisons for travel (sourced from online portals or travel agents).
• For air travel: an additional quote reflecting the lowest possible CO₂ emissions.

Application process

• Applications must be submitted at least four months prior to the planned project start date.

Note: Projects that have already commenced or for which travel arrangements (e.g. flights) have already been booked are not eligible. In exceptional cases, applicants may informally request permission for an “early start of the measure” via email. However, such approval does not constitute a funding commitment.

Once funding has been granted for a working stay abroad, recipients may not apply for the same funding line again for a period of three full calendar years.

Next application deadline

Applications must be received no later than four months before the planned start date of the working stay abroad. Apply here.

View the original call here.