The current call for applications is open until 20.09.2023
Information on the application process can be found below at application process.
Before contacting us, please read the general information as well as specific information for host organisations and artists and cultural actors at risk. Please pay particular attention to the information on secure communication!
General Information
Temporary relocation to Germany: Artists and cultural actors at risk have the possibility to temporarily stay and work in Germany with the assistance of a host cultural institution. (Programme line 1)
MRI funding in programme line 1 enables cultural organisations in Germany to temporarily host artists and cultural actors and to provide a free and safe space for them to continue their creative work. The funding includes a monthly scholarship.
Note: The MRI is not an emergency programme. We therefore cannot provide immediate support or speed up processes.
Scholarships in programme line 1 (stays in Germany) last up to 15 months.
- a monthly scholarship,
- individual support for the scholarship holders (e.g. necessary insurance, psychosocial support, language courses, trainings, networking activities, etc.)
- if necessary, financial support for additional personnel for the host organisation (please note that we cannot fund permanent staff and freelance work that is not directly related to the purpose of the grant),
- counselling by the MRI and further training (for example on topics such as safety, sensitive public relations, psycho-social support) as well as networking activities and exchange of experience with other host organisations and scholarship holders,
Please note that the scholarship visa does not automatically entitle scholarship holders to take up employment or self-employment in Germany.
Host organisations can be cultural institutions or collectives (e. g. museums, theatres, festivals, etc.) and other socially relevant organisations that are based in Germany. These organisations not only host scholarship holders, but also provide support for their artistic/cultural development and personal well-being.
Artists and cultural actors worldwide, who
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through their artistic work are committed to an open society, freedom, peace and democracy and who, because of their work or due to other circumstances, experience restrictions on their freedom or threats from state and/or non-state actors
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are still active in their countries of origin, have only recently left their countries of origin (departure after the deadline of the last call for applications by the MRI on the 17.02.2023), or are not safe in their current locations
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do not have access to a safe abode (e.g. due to dual citizenship or permanent residency by means of a national or humanitarian visa),
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have the necessary language skills to facilitate collaboration with a host institution
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who are demonstrably artistically/culturally active and whose works have a proven artistic/cultural and/or social relevance (hobby artists or persons who undertake purely private artistic activities are not eligible for funding)
Since the MRI has a special programme for artists and cultural actors from Afghanistan, they cannot apply to the regular programme line 1.
Please note that all the above criteria must be met in order to be eligible for a MRI-scholarship.
EU citizens are not eligible for funding.
What criteria are used to select scholarship holders and the corresponding projects for MRI funding?
After an assessment of the formal eligibility criteria by the Martin Roth-Initiative, an independent committee selects the project applications to be funded. The selection is based on the following criteria:
- Existing threats/risk situation for the artist/cultural actor
- Profile of the artist / the cultural actor (quality and social relevance of previous work / fit with MRI mission).
- Quality of the application & capacities of the host organisation (Are the goals and measures/activities reasonable, appropriate, realistic and coherent? To what extent is the professional development or continuation of artistic/cultural work of the scholarship holder supported?)
- Artistic/work-relevant fit between host organisation and scholarship holder, support and integration (suitability of the host organisation)
- Potential positive impact on the home/host community through the project.
- Gender and diversity aspects are taken into account when selecting scholarship holders/projects.
Application process
Please note the following information on the application process.
Applications can only be submitted via the MRI application platform. An application for funding can only be submitted in tandem by a host organisation and an artist or cultural actor.
Host organisations must complete a Host Application and a financing plan and submit them to MRI along with the required attachments. A template for the funding plan and an overview of FAQs are available on the platform. Scholarship candidates fill out an Artist Application, in which they present themselves, their work, their risk context, and their needs and plans for the protection residency. The deadlines applicable to all participants must be observed.
If you have any questions regarding the content or technical aspects of the application, please first consult the FAQ or - if you have not found an answer to your question - contact the MRI team at the following e-mail address: apply [at] mri-application [dot] de.
Important note: There is no legal right to receive a scholarship form the MRI. Please note that the project funding is subject to the availability of the budget funds.
Access to the application platform is provided to host organisations as well as artists and cultural actors by the MRI: Please contact us by e-mail at apply [at] mri-application [dot] de. If you use Protonmail, the contact is end-to-end encrypted. Requests for account creation will be accepted until 5:00pm CEST on 19.09.2023.
Please indicate whether you are a representative of a host organisation or an artist or cultural actor when you first contact us at the above mentioned e-mail address. Scholarship candidates should also indicate the name of their co-applicant host organisation.
In getting in contact with the MRI, you will receive an e-mail with your access data. Please enter a new password when you register for the first time. As soon as you have assigned a password and thus set up your user account, you can log in to the application platform at any time with your e-mail address and password and track your application status on the dashboard via the status display.
On your dashboard you will find the application documents to be completed. Under "Information for Host Organisations", applicant organisations can also find a funding plan template and other information.
Please note that you must always save drafts of your application documents using the "Save Draft" function. You submit the final application by clicking the "Submit" button.
If you have any questions about the platform, you can contact us at apply [at] mri-application [dot] de.
Important: In addition to the digital submission, the Host Application must be stamped and signed and sent by mail to the following address: Martin Roth Initiative, Linienstrasse 139/140, 10115 Berlin, Germany. For this step, please generate a PDF version of the final application via the "View/Print button".
It is not necessary to send the Artist Application by post.
- 19.09.2023 at 17:00 CEST: deadline for requesting an account for the application platform (via e-mail: apply [at] mri-application [dot] de)
- 20.09.2023 at 23:59 CEST: deadline for digital submission of the Artist Application by artist or cultural actor (via application platform)
- 20.09.2023 at 23:59 CEST: deadline for digital submission of the Host Application by host organisation (via application platform)
- 02.10.2023 at 23:59 CEST: deadline for submission of a legally signed and stamped hardcopy of the Host Application by host organisation (via postal service)
- Beginning of November 2023: announcement of the decision of the selection committee
- End of 2023: signing of contract
- January 2024: start of visa procedures (only concerns approved projects)
- 01.01.2024: earliest possible start date of funding periods (latest possible start date: 01.03.2024)
- 01.03.2024: earliest possible start of protection/creative stays (latest possible start date: 01.05.2024)
If you have questions about the application process or implementing temporary protective stays in Germany under the Martin Roth Initiative (programme line 1), please check the information on this page first.
In addition, we offer digital consultation workshops for host organisations on 21.08.2023 and on 11.09.2023. The workshops only take place if there are at least three interested persons. Registration via apply [at] mri-application [dot] de
Information for Host Organisations
Please note the following information for host organisations.
Feel free to contact us if you are interested in acting as a host organisation. You can either have a specific artist or cultural actor in mind or also signal a general willingness to cooperate. Please always follow our instructions for secure communication. We will be happy to advise you and together we will determine whether funding by the MRI is an option for your organisation.
Host organisations can be cultural institutions or collectives (e. g. museums, theatres, festivals, etc.) and other socially relevant organisations that are based in Germany. These organisations not only host scholarship holders, but also provide support for their artistic/cultural development and personal well-being.
The following requirements must be met:
- The applicant organisation is a non-profit organisation or can assign the funding project to a non-profit subarea of its organisation (e.g. corporations under public law such as universities, colleges, etc.) and is a legal entity, such as a registered association, non-profit PPC. Private individuals cannot apply for funding.
- The applicant organisation does not pursue any economic interest/ goals with the submitted project.
- For the purpose of a general and non-profit audit, the applying organisation can submit the following business documents: proof of registration, articles of incorporation, bylaws, corporate income tax assessment, notice of exemption or assessment (§60 a (1) AO), and financial reports or annual balance sheets for the last three years.
- The organisation should have experience in dealing with public funds or be prepared to acquire the corresponding competencies to comply with regulations under the law on grants and the requirements of the Federal Budget Code (BHO).
- The applicant organisation is able to integrate an artist or culture professional at risk into its structures, allowing the artistic-cultural work to continue, and is able to provide the necessary level of support.
- The applicant organisation deems itself to be in a position to implement the residency both in terms of organisation and administration, as well as to clarify residency matters with the support of the Martin Roth-Initiative.
- The applicant organisation is prepared to deal with the issue of (digital) security and to take the measures necessary to ensure it.
The host organisation is the primary point of contact for the scholarship holders during the application phase and for the entire duration of the project. It is thus the link between the MRI and the scholarship holders.
The host organization is responsible for the content-related, organisational and administrative implementation of the respective sponsored protective stay. This means that MRI concludes forwarding agreements with the host organization, which assumes responsibility for the contractually regulated use of funds in terms of the artistic, professional and personal integration of the scholarship holders. In addition, the MRI concludes a scholarship contract with the artists and cultural workers upon their arrival in accordance with the scholarship guidelines.
The host organisations are responsible for the payment of a monthly stipend and provide support in everyday matters (e.g. accommodation, assistance in dealing with authorities). A host organisation should also make its professional structures, know-how and networks available to enable the scholarship holders to continue their creative work and strengthen their professional prospects.
A host organization may submit only one application per call for applications, but it may include several artists, provided that there are substantive links between them and they apply with a common project. This could be the case with artistic collectives.
Information for artists/cultural actors
Please note the following information for artists and cultural actors.
- You can only apply in tandem with a cultural host organisation in Germany. This means that you submit an artist application via the MRI application platform and your host organisation submits a host application. An application is only complete and can only be considered for funding if both applications are received by MRI on time. For information on the application platform, please see Application Process.
- Make sure in advance that the criteria listed under "General Information" apply to you.
- If your project is selected for funding by the independent selection committee, the MRI will enter into a funding agreement with the host organisation and a scholarship contract with you upon arrival. The host organisation will support you with your artistic and personal integration and with questions and challenges of everyday life.
No, all funding is channelled through designated host organisations. The provision of scholarships without a host organisation is not possible.
Due to limited capacity, MRI is unfortunately unable to assist in the search for host organisations.
Please use your network for your search or, if possible, contact organisations you know or have worked with before.
People from all fields of art and culture can apply for an MRI scholarship, provided that all the above criteria (see general information) are met.
Contact
In case the information above does not answer your questions, please contact us via apply [at] mri-application [dot] de as the primary way to contact us
If you would like to contact us in a different way, please observe the following information on secure communication in order to reduce risks for all parties involved (these are recommendations for improving digital protection, 100% security cannot be guaranteed).
We recommend that you use encrypted communication services. We have listed one free provider below through which you can reach us. Before you do so, please check whether the installation or use of the respective service in your home country (or country of residence) could lead to security issues (suspicion, prosecution). If necessary, inquire locally and/or research (if possible) on the internet, for example under Privacy International.
Protonmail: This e-mail service allows for end-to-end encrypted messages between Protonmail users. You can create an account free of charge at www.protonmail.com and send us a message to info [at] mri-application [dot] de (i)nfo [at] mri-application [dot] de (please note that this is a Protonmail email address). Attention: If you send an e-mail from another provider to this address, it will not be encrypted!
ATTENTION: Unencrypted e-mails or phone calls are comparable to postcards in terms of security. If you still wish to contact MRI in this way, please make sure that you do not disclose any sensitive data (names of persons at risk, information on the risk situation, etc.) when contacting MRI.
Info phone: +49 (0)30 284491-77. Please pay attention to the information on consultation hours and application workshops above under "General Information".
Please note our Information on data protection and processing of your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
