Applications are now open for Musicboard Berlin project funding for the first round of 2025 in the programmes of Festival Funding, Karrieresprungbrett Berlin, and Pop im Kiez. You can apply for projects to be carried out in 2025 via the online application form until the deadline of 1 November 2024 at 6 p.m.
In this round of funding, Musicboard Berlin is awarding grants in three programmes aimed at promoting Berlin’s pop music scene. Festival Funding helps finance Berlin pop music festivals and offers them support in planning. It has a special focus on festivals that involve up-and-coming creative talent as well people working in the music industry. Karrieresprungbrett Berlin funds projects and platforms – from concert series, workshops and talks to interdisciplinary formats – that support up-and-coming artists and other newcomers from the pop music business and help boost their careers on a national or international level. Pop im Kiez is meant for projects that increase the reception of live music in Berlin’s neighbourhoods by means of pilot projects, campaigns, or other initiatives.
NEW JURY MEMBER
Funding is granted on the recommendation of an independent jury of experts from Berlin’s music scene. Starting immediately, pop culture journalist Silvia Silko is joining the project funding jury. She has been a fixed member of Tagesspiegel’s editorial team for three years, overseeing a small team that focuses mainly on the cultural happenings in Berlin. Furthermore, she writes about music, feminism, and pop culture for the cultural and society section, also occasionally appearing as a guest on radioeins’ Soundcheck programme and Deutschlandfunk’s Tonart. Previously, she worked as a freelance journalist, writing for Missy Magazine, ZEIT Online, and Musikexpress. She will advise on applications together with Edna Martinez, Melissa Kolukisagil, Ulrich Hartmann, and Wieland Krämer. Musicboard would like to thank Christoph Reimann, who has stepped down from the jury after four years.
DIVERSITY IN MUSICBOARD FUNDING
Musicboard places particular emphasis on funding projects that include diverse perspectives, feature line-ups with diversity and gender equality, and take measures to ensure accessibility. Once again, Musicboard will provide selected projects with consulting on accessibility and inclusion from experts in the field. Applicants who would like such support can indicate their interest directly in the application form.
ONLINE INFO SESSION
To answer questions about applications in the programmes Festival Funding, Karrieresprungbrett Berlin, and Pop im Kiez, we are offering an online info session on 22 October 2024 at 3 p.m. in German and at 5 p.m. in English. The session will provide information on how to apply via Musicboard’s online application form and on the implementation and accounting of funded projects. Participation is possible without registration via Zoom using this link: Online info session
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Before submitting your project, please read all information published on the respective funding programme page of the Musicboard website, including the FAQ. When submitting your project, please observe the guidelines in the online application form and list expenses exclusively through the application tool. If you have any questions, please contact us in good time. The application deadline for the first funding round of 2025 is 1 November 2024 at 6 p.m.
FURTHER ROUNDS OF FUNDING
For the funding programmes Karrieresprungbrett Berlin and Pop im Kiez, a second funding round is planned for 2025. Applications are expected to open in February 2025. The Festival Funding programme is only offered once per year. The next application period will be in autumn 2025 for festivals taking place in 2026.
Festival Funding