Apply between 6 July 2026 and 11 September 2026
General Information
Temporary relocation for Artists and cultural actors at risk at cultural organisations in Germany
This funding option enables host organisations in Germany to temporarily take in artists and cultural actors at risk and and to support them to continue their work in a safe environment. The application is submitted in tandem between the artists and cultural actors and the host organisations. In addition to a monthly stipend, the funding includes financial ressources for the artistic/cultural work, among other things.
Note: The MRI is not an emergency programme. We therefore cannot provide immediate support or speed up application or visa processes. There is no legal entitlement to a grant from the MRI. The selection is subject to the availability of the estimated budget funds.
Artists and cultural actors, who
- through their artistic work are committed to an open society, freedom, peace and democracy, who reject any kind of discrimination 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
- 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 20/02/2026), or are not safe in their current locations
- 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),
- speak English or German
- 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)
Please note that all the above criteria must be met in order to be eligible for a MRI-scholarship and that the MRI cannot assist matching with a host organisation. Excluded from funding are citizens of the following countries: EU member states and the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Switzerland, UK and USA as well as artists and cultural practitioners who have already received MRI funding (in Germany or in their regions of origin - except of Fast-Track).
Due to the ongoing circumstances in Gaza, which make a regular exit from Gaza and therefore an entry to Germany impossible, we are unfortunately unable to accept applications from persons who are in Gaza at the time of application. We review the circumstances for each call for applications and will accept applications in the following calls as soon as the possibilities for travelling from Gaza to Germany improve.
Eligible host organisations include non-profit organisations such as:
• museums,
• theatres,
• festivals,
• cultural collectives,
• socially relevant organisations,
• non-governmental organisations
The host organisations support the scholarship holders in their work.
- a monthly scholarship
- individual support for the scholarship holders (e.g. necessary insurance, psychosocial support, language courses, trainings, networking activities, etc.)
- 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, psychosocial support) as well as networking activities and exchange of experience with other host organisations and scholarship holders
- support in the visa process for scholarship holders (please note that the scholarship visa does not automatically entitle scholarship holders to take up employment or self-employment in Germany)
MRI's Scholarships last up to 15 months.
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 consisting of representatives from the German arts and cultural landscape as well as civil society institutions 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
Application process
Applications must be submitted via the MRI platform,
to access it, please write to apply [at] mri-application [dot] de
A total of two applications must be submitted per project:
- Artist Application – to be submitted by the artists
- Host Application (including attachments) – to be submitted by the host organisation
The host organisation must sign its application and also send it by post to the MRI.
Access to the application platform will be available from 6/07/2026. Artists and cultural actors, as well as host organisations, each need their own account.
How to gain access:
- Write to: apply [at] mri-application [dot] de (apply[at]mri-application[dot]de)
- Are you an artist or representing a host organisation?
- If you are an artist: Please state the name of the host organisation you would like to work with.
- If you are a host organisation: Please state the name of the artist you would like to work with.
- We recommend using ProtonMail. This ensures that your communications are encrypted.
Following your email, you will receive a reply by email containing your login details.
You will find all the documents you need to complete on your platform dashboard.
In case of questions get in touch via the above mentionned adress.
- 11/09/2026, 5:00 pm CEST: deadline for digital submission of the Artist Application by artist or cultural actor (via application platform, account necessary)
- 11/09/2026, 5:00 pm CEST: deadline for digital submission of the Host Application by host organisation (via application platform, account necessary)
- 25/09/2026: deadline (postmark) for submission of a legally signed and stamped hardcopy of the Host Application by host organisation
- End of November: announcement of the decision of the selection committee
- 15/01/2027: earliest start date of funding periods
- 01/03/2027: earliest start of the scholarship period
Please note that your application will only be considered complete once we have received the signed application form by post by 25/09/2026. The date of the postmark is decisive. It is sufficient to send the signed form only. No attachments are required. Due to procedural reasons, there may be delays in the start dates in individual cases.
We are offering digital consultation workshops for artists and cultural actors.
The sessions will be held in English:
14/07/2026, 10:00 am CEST
(Registration closes at 5.00 pm, CEST on 13/07/2026) and
20/08/2026, 3:00 pm CEST
(Registration closes on 19/08/2026, 5.00 pm CEST)
Please register via this link.
You will receive the link on the working day before the meeting.
We are offering digital consultation workshops for host organisations.
This session will be held in German:
16/07/2026, 2:00 pm CEST
(Registration closes at 5.00 pm, CEST on 15/07/2026) and
This session will be held in English:
20/08/2026, 2:00 om CEST
(Registration closes at 5.00 pm, CEST on 19/08/2026)
Please register via this link.
You will receive the link on the working day before the meeting.
Information for artists/cultural actors
- You can only jointly with a cultural host organisation in Germany. 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 the MRI on time.
- All access criteria listed under general information must apply to you.
- If your project is selected for funding by the 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, this programme does not provide for direct scholarships.
Due to limited capacity, the 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 mentioned criteria (see general information) are met.
No, multiple or follow-up funding by the MRI is not possible. This applies to funding in Germany and in the regions of origin (except for Fast-Track funding).
Information for host organisations
You can apply for funding together with a person at risk (artists and cultural workers) and organise a temporary relocation. Please always bear in mind our guidelines for secure communication. We would be happy to advise you and find out together whether funding from the MRI is an option.
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 GmbH. 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 ("Bundeshaushaltsordnung" BHO).
- The applicant organisation is able to integrate an artist or cultural actor 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 protective stay. This means that the MRI concludes funding agreements with the host organisation, which assumes responsibility for the contractually regulated use of funds in terms of the artistic, professional and personal integration of the scholarship holder. In addition, the MRI concludes a scholarship contract with the artist and cultural worker upon their arrival in accordance with the MRI 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 holder to continue their creative work and strengthen their professional prospects.
A host organisation can submit one application each application round. The application may include several artists.
This is possible if the artists:
• have already worked together,
• form a single unit, and
• are applying with a joint project
For example: a band, an ensemble or a collective.
Contact
Before reaching out, please thoroughly review all the information provided below and pay close attention on our safety recommendations for digital communication (these are suggestions to enhance digital protection, absolute safety is not guaranteed). Generally, we advise you to use encrypted communication services, such as Protonmail, a free encrypted email service. You can register at www.protonmail.com and, if the above information does not answer your queries, contact us at info [at] mri-application [dot] de (apply[at]mri-application[dot]de). Prior to using this service, ensure that its usage in your country of origin or residence will not lead to issues (suspicion, legal action). If necessary, seek local advice or research online, for example, at Privacy International.
Note: Unencrypted emails or phone calls are not secure and should not contain sensitive information.
Additionally, you can reach us via phone under +49 (0)30 284491-77
