Funding System

Berlin: Specific Dance Funding

Dance Practice Grants
Funding supports professional dancers and choreographers in the development and consolidation of their artistic practice, i.e. support during phases of training, project-independent studio research, artistic research, etc. The 18-month grants are tiered according to experience (Emerging, Mid-Career, Senior).
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/darstellende-kuenste-tanz/artikel.1038731.php
Deadline: expected Q1 2026

Dance Residency Funding
Funding for Berlin-based production venues that wish to offer residencies to professional dance artists: provision of space, technical equipment, artistic support, and stipends to enable research, choreographic development, or artistic processes. After successful selection, residency venues publish their own open calls for artist stipends.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/darstellende-kuenste-tanz/artikel.706911.php
Deadline: tbc (current program period runs until the end of 2027)

Strengthening Berlin Dance Venues
The aim of this funding is to secure and strengthen the working structures as well as the development of professionally operating dance presentation and/or production venues. The decentralized structure of Berlin’s dance scene is supported through funding of existing dance venues.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/darstellende-kuenste-tanz/artikel.931674.php
Deadline: tbc

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Berlin: Funding for Performing Arts and Dance

Work and Research Grants
Funding supports projects such as research, exploration, or preparatory work on a specific topic; development of projects; exploration of new or alternative working methods; etc.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/darstellende-kuenste-tanz/artikel.438580.php
Deadline: expected Q1

Entry-Level Funding
Funding for groups and individual artists from the independent scene who wish to realize their first own production. Maximum application amount: €15,000.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/darstellende-kuenste-tanz/artikel.82003.php
Deadline: usually June 30

Single Project Funding
For one-off productions or stagings (theatre, dance, performance, etc.), as well as revivals or further development of existing works. Applications may be submitted by production venues, groups, or individual artists.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/darstellende-kuenste-tanz/artikel.82004.php
Deadline: usually June 30

One- and Two-Year Funding for Production Venues
Support for production and performance venues (theatres, guest performance venues, production spaces) with the aim of securing their working structures and infrastructure (operations, programming, etc.).
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/darstellende-kuenste-tanz/artikel.82006.php
Deadline: usually June 30

Two-Year Basic Funding for Groups and Individual Artists
For freelance groups or solo artists without their own venue: grants for at least one production per funding year, as well as for securing and developing working structures.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/darstellende-kuenste-tanz/artikel.81996.php
Deadline: every two years, usually end of January

Four-Year Concept Funding for Artists
Long-term funding for Berlin-based artists to ensure continuous artistic work and development over four years. Supports working structures, productions, and programming.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/darstellende-kuenste-tanz/artikel.1033731.php
Deadline: every four years, usually end of January

Four-Year Concept Funding for Production and Performance Venues
Funding for professional production and performance venues in Berlin over four years to secure operations, staff, programs, and infrastructure. Goal: planning security and continuous artistic work.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/darstellende-kuenste-tanz/artikel.82008.php
Deadline: February 28, 2026; every four years

Revival Fund
Support for the revival of previously realized (successful) productions. Enables existing works to be presented again, promoting sustainability and reach.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/darstellende-kuenste-tanz/
Deadline: usually September

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Berlin: Cross-Disciplinary / Interdisciplinary Programs

Capital Cultural Fund (Hauptstadtkulturfonds – HKF)
Funding for Berlin-based artists, groups, and institutions from all artistic and cultural disciplines. Supports projects, series, or festivals with a connection to Berlin that have national or international visibility.
https://www.hauptstadtkulturfonds.berlin.de/
Deadlines: April 15 and October 1

IMPACT Funding
Funding for Berlin-based artists, groups, and institutions to realize innovative, experimental, and cross-disciplinary projects. Focus on artistic innovation and international networking.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/interkulturelle-projekte/artikel.82020.php
Deadline: usually October

Open-Discipline Funding for Artists
Funding for artistic projects from individual disciplines as well as inter- and transdisciplinary projects realized in Berlin. Supports innovative, experimental, and artistically diverse projects (e.g. co-productions, series, festivals, individual projects).
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/spartenoffene-foerderung/ein-und-zweijaehrige-festivals-und-reihen
Deadline: usually July

Open-Discipline Funding for Institutions
Funding for Berlin-based institutions, production venues, or organizations implementing projects, series, or festivals.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/spartenoffene-foerderung/ein-und-zweijaehrige-vorhaben-von-einrichtungen
Deadline: usually July

Four-Year Festival Funding
Long-term funding for Berlin-based festivals to ensure continuous, high-quality programming over four years. Goal: stabilization of organizational structures and artistic work.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/spartenoffene-foerderung/vierjaehrige-festivals-und-reihen

Co-Financing Fund
Funding for Berlin-based artists, groups, and institutions to support projects that have already received another funding commitment. Aims to supplement own funds or other funding sources.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/kofinanzierungsfonds/artikel.1563270.php
Deadlines: dependent on primary funding programs; overview available on the Co-Financing Fund website

Cultural Exchange Grants Paris (Dance)
Funding for Berlin-based dancers and choreographers for stays, residencies, or projects in Paris. Aims to promote international networking and artistic development.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/internationaler-kulturaustausch/artikel.82059.php
Deadline: usually October

Global Grants
Funding for Berlin-based artists of all disciplines to carry out international projects, residencies, or exchange programs at self-selected locations worldwide.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/internationaler-kulturaustausch/artikel.82023.php
Deadline: usually October

Weltoffenes Berlin: Fellowship Program
Funding for Berlin cultural actors who wish to host artists, media professionals, and cultural practitioners who have had to leave or wish to leave their country of origin for political or humanitarian reasons, enabling their entry into Berlin’s arts and culture scene. Funding: up to €2,500/month for up to 12 months.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/weltoffenes-berlin/fellowship-programm-weltoffenes-berlin-655485.php

Weltoffenes Berlin: Extended Fellowship
Follow-up funding for fellows in particularly vulnerable situations. Enables an extension of support beyond the regular fellowship period to sustainably develop artistic projects and professional perspectives.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/weltoffenes-berlin/artikel.1586972.php

Weltoffenes Berlin: Advisory, Support, and Networking Program for Transnational Cultural Practitioners
Funding for initiatives and projects that facilitate access to networks, information, advice, and support for transnational artists, media, and cultural professionals (e.g. multilingual services, mediation, integration). Goal: to ease professional integration and cultural participation in Berlin.
https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/foerderprogramme/weltoffenes-berlin/transnationale-kulturschaffende-655709.php

District-Level Cultural Funding
Administered by the cultural offices of Berlin’s districts, this funding supports independent cultural organizations and individual artists, in cooperation with cultural institutions, for artistic projects developed and presented in the respective district.
Deadlines and websites: vary by district (Google search: “Kulturförderung” + district name)

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Berlin: Funding in the Field of Cultural Education

Berlin Project Fund for Cultural Education – Funding Pillar 1 “Innovative Projects”
Funding for creative and innovative cultural and educational projects with children, young people, and young adults (up to 27 years), e.g. new collaborations or unconventional formats. Funding volume: €5,001–23,000.
https://www.kulturformen.berlin/foerdern/foerdersaeulen/

Berlin Project Fund for Cultural Education – Funding Pillar 1plus “Getting Started”
Low-threshold entry module for individuals or groups who are structurally disadvantaged in the regular application process (e.g. young adults, people with disabilities, people with refugee or migration backgrounds). Funding up to approx. €12,000.
https://www.kulturformen.berlin/foerdern/foerdersaeulen/

Berlin Project Fund for Cultural Education – Funding Pillar 2 “Structure-Building Projects”
Funding for larger, citywide projects with a structural impact—e.g. collaborations across several districts, involving numerous educational or youth institutions. Funding volume from €23,001.
https://www.kulturformen.berlin/foerdern/berliner-projektfonds-kulturelle-bildung/aktuelles/fond/foerdersaeule-2-fuer-projekte-ab-23001-euro-berliner-projektfonds-kulturelle-bildung-schreibt-aus-1/

Berlin Project Fund for Cultural Education – Funding Pillar 2plus “Partnerships”
Funding for partnerships between cultural actors and educational/youth institutions from at least three Berlin districts; intended for longer-term cooperative structures and networks.
https://www.kulturformen.berlin/foerdern/foerdersaeulen/

Berlin Project Fund for Cultural Education – Funding Pillar 3 “District Project Funding / Neighborhood Projects”
Funding for smaller, locally oriented cultural and educational projects with children, young people, or young adults in the respective Berlin district; typically up to €5,000.
https://www.kulturformen.berlin/foerdern/foerdersaeulen/

KiA Program of the Berlin Districts
Support for cultural offerings for young audiences in underserved urban areas and for strengthening the operations of existing venues in the districts.
Deadlines and websites: vary by district (Google search: “Kulturförderung” + district name)

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Nationwide Funding Programs

Note: All programs listed below require co-financing. Specific conditions are outlined in each funding program. Co-financing can usually be provided through existing structural funding (e.g. basic or concept funding) or applied for via the Berlin Co-Financing Fund.

Fonds Darstellende Künste: Production Funding (Project Funding)
Funding for independently producing artists and groups from all performing arts disciplines (theatre, dance, performance, music theatre, puppet/object theatre, etc.) to realize new productions. Typical application amounts range from €10,000 to €50,000.
https://www.fonds-daku.de

Fonds Darstellende Künste: Network Funding
Funding for cross-state cooperative projects focused on knowledge transfer, qualification, or exchange within the independent performing arts; suitable for expert talks, workshops, training, or exchange formats.
https://www.fonds-daku.de

Fonds Darstellende Künste: Research Funding
Funding for research, concept development, or creative preparatory work by individual artists or groups, e.g. to prepare a later production or artistic development.
https://www.fonds-daku.de/

Fonds Darstellende Künste: Concept Development Funding
Funding for longer-term, strategically conceived artistic projects or collaborations, e.g. for groups, ensembles, or collaborations with multiple productions over several years.
https://www.fonds-daku.de/

Fonds Darstellende Künste: Special and Thematic Programs
Funding for special programs focusing on social themes or new formats, e.g. projects in rural areas, digital formats, experimental work, or diversity-oriented funding.
https://www.fonds-daku.de/

NPN: National Dance Touring Funding
Funding to support guest performances of contemporary dance productions within Germany; enables presenters and festivals to invite productions from other federal states.
https://www.jointadventures.net/nationales-performance-netz/gastspiele-tanz
Deadlines: usually end of January and mid-April

NPN: International Dance Touring Funding
Funding for German dance productions touring internationally—to support international networking and export of German dance.
https://www.jointadventures.net/nationales-performance-netz/gastspiele-tanz-international
Deadlines: usually end of January and mid-April

NPN: Dance Co-Production Funding
Funding for supra-regional or national co-productions in contemporary dance; supports collaboration between producers from different federal states and/or with international partners.
https://www.jointadventures.net/nationales-performance-netz/koproduktionen-tanz
Deadlines: usually end of January and mid-April

NPN: Impulse Funding Dance & Theatre
Funding for new, cross-state collaborations and projects, especially in regions with underdeveloped local structures or where new impulses are needed.
https://www.jointadventures.net/nationales-performance-netz/impulsfoerderung-tanz-theater
Deadline: usually March

TANZPAKT City–State–Federal Government
Excellence funding program for dance: aimed at established artists, ensembles, production structures, and networks with national or international reach; supports multi-year projects with high funding volumes and matching funds from municipalities/federal states.
https://www.tanzpakt.de/

German Federal Cultural Foundation: General Project Funding
Open-discipline funding for large, innovative projects from all artistic fields (performing arts, dance, music, visual arts, film, etc.) with an international context; applications possible twice per year.
https://www.kulturstiftung-des-bundes.de/de/foerderung/allgemeine_projektfoerderung.html
Deadlines: usually January 31 and July 31