Travel grants

Travel grant for young and amateur ensembles’ music projects abroad

The creativity and commitment of amateur and aspiring young musicians are a vital element of the music scene in Germany. Amateur and “next-generation” ensembles that have already attracted notice with above-average musical attainments – whether in competitions or concerts – and are planning a music project abroad may be eligible for a Goethe-Institut grant to cover part of their travel expenses. Grants are available for music projects abroad involving vocal ensembles as well as young and amateur instrumental groups of any size, makeup or musical genre.

Different guidelines now apply for Goethe-Institut funding in 2022:
Funding is also available for short trips and travel to neighbouring Western countries. Last-minute requests for funding will be processed as well.

Prerequisites for eligibility:

  • The applicant ensemble must possess a high level of musicianship.
  • Cultural significance of the project for the host country
  • Artistic exchange must be central to the project.
  • Coherent programme and schedule
  • A recent audio recording of convincing quality
  • An invitation from a partner independent  from Germany in the host country committing to provide support in the form of e.g. room and board, transportation, publicity, use of practice rooms, concert halls etc.
  • As a rule, the Goethe-Institut will not fund the entire project, so the bulk of funding should be secured before applying through contributions from the participants themselves and from the public and/or private sector.
  • As a rule, the Goethe-Institut does not pay fees to amateur or “aspiring young next-generation” musicians.
  • For travel within Europe, the Goethe-Institut recommends taking the train, a flexible and environmentally sustainable means of public transport, even if it entails higher costs. So funding will be available to cover train fare.

The following are not eligible for funding:

  • Tours undertaken chiefly for fundraising purposes
  • travel chiefly for touristic purposes
  • Folklore events
  • Projects aimed at spreading partisan, religious or ideological views
  • Projects organized by commercial agencies/organizers
  • The ensemble must live and do most of its work in Germany.

Required documents:

  • Completed application form (see link to the new funding application form below)
  • Detailed project description
  • A recent audio recording
  • Self-description of the ensemble including the musical director’s CV
  • Detailed timetable and schedule
  • Concert programme
  • Invitation from the partner in the host country specifying its commitments to support for the visiting ensemble
  • Two travel cost estimates either from two different independent travel agencies or from an online price comparison portal
  • Numbered list of participants, indicating each participant’s role, date of birth and place of residence

Deadlines

Applications for funding for music projects abroad must be submitted at least six weeks before the planned start of the project.  

Projects already initiated, i.e. for which travel arrangements (e.g. flights) have already been booked, are not eligible for funding. So, before making any binding reservations, an informal request for approval of early project arrangements must be submitted by e-mail or together with your application for funding. The Goethe-Institut’s approval of such a request, however, does not constitute a firm commitment to award any funding.

Applicants have no legal entitlement to funding. Any funds we provide are a voluntary contribution to projects that are closely in line with the objectives of the German Federal Government's foreign cultural and educational policies.
 
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  To The Application Form
Applications must be submitted by the Cultural Funding Application.

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