Artists' Contacts

Do artists for whom funding is being applied for, must have German citizenship?

• If an artist does not have German citizenship, it has to be indicated since when the artist has been a resident of Germany. The artist must have lived in Germany for a minimum of 5 years. Appropriate evidence, e.g. registration certificate, required.

Are artist-in-residence stays also supported?

• Yes. However, only flight costs can be funded.
• If a public exhibition is the focus of artist-in-residence stays abroad, an application can be made to implement the exhibition funding programme.

Are projects from the areas of the performing arts (dance, theater, film etc.) supported?

• No. Only projects in the fields of contemporary visual arts, architecture, design, photography and media art are supported.

Can I apply as a student?

• No, you need to have finished your programme of study to be eligible to apply for funding.

Can I submit several applications at the same time?

• Yes, if you are applying for funding for different projects.
• No, if the applications refer to the same project being worked on in different countries. In this case, please submit one application only.

Does ifa offer further funding programs in the field of visual arts?

• Yes, there is another funding opportunity. The "Exhibition Funding" program supports exhibition projects abroad under certain conditions. Applications can be made for projects by German visual artists, or by German visual artists who have lived in Germany for at least 5 years.

Can I submit an application to both Artists’ Contacts and Exhibition Funding at the same time?

• Yes, you can submit an application to the relevant grant programme for different aspects of your project. However, you cannot apply for funding with respect to the same expenses.

Can I apply to other grant organisations at the same time?

• Yes, the organisations to which you are also applying for funding must be listed under item 5.2.2 on your application.

To which project timeframe does the application deadline apply?

• Deadline: 15 July (date of postmark): Applies to projects that take place in the following year at the earliest. If the project begins in December of the current year and takes place for the most part in the following year, you can submit an application by 15 July of the current year. In the case of funding, only invoices incurred after the approval date will be accepted. The decision on funding will be made by 15 November at the latest.

My project started before the application deadline. Can I still apply for funding?

• No, it is not possible to apply for funding for a project that has already started.
• A project that started before the written acceptance can no longer be funded.

How to submit the application?

• Please use our application form. Only signed application that are submitted by post will be considered.

In what language can I submit an application?

• Applications can be submitted either in German or English.

What are the criteria for describing my project in the application?

• Under point 4 in the application form (project description) please present your project in the form of a coherent text. The project idea and its implementation should be presented in such a way that the jury gets a realistic idea of your project. Avoid applications in the style of essays.
• With the project description, we expect a short, meaningful summary of the project thematically / in terms of content (max. 2,700 characters including spaces). This should include the following points:
  • Concrete target, target group and planned effect for your project.
  • Motivation of cooperation with a planned project partner, mention of previous co-operations.

What are the requirements for the invitation letter from the inviting institution?

• In the signed letter, the inviting institution should confirm the project with the name of all invited artists, curators, art educators, art theorists, architects and designers, and for this scheduled period.
• Information about the legal status of the institution (non-profit association, foundation, artist association, etc.) should already be given in the invitation letter.
• In the case of a research trip, the invitation letter can be dispensed with.

What happens once the application is submitted?

• Submitted applications will be presented to an expert jury. Funding is also decided taking into account the ifa budget available for this purpose and in relation to other applications.

How will I know when a decision has been made?

• All applicants will receive a written acceptance or rejection within three months after the deadline.

Can I hand in documents after the deadline has passed?

• If the application is submitted on time, documents can be submitted in exceptional cases and only after consultation with ifa in a timely manner.

Which costs are eligible for funding?

• You can apply for funding for travel, accommodation as well as visa costs.

Can I apply for a daily allowance?

• Yes, you can apply for a daily allowance for food and drink. If you receive funding, you may be approved for a daily allowance of up to a maximum of 14 days. This amount is based on the guidelines published by the German Federal Government. The current daily rates can be downloaded from our website.

I also need funding for production expenses for my project. Can I apply for this separately?

• No additional funding is available for materials, printing, and production or transportation costs.  

For what kind of expenses do I need to include cost estimates/quotes and in what form?

• Upload three offers for flight costs in the digital application system (see upload area). Offers from the Internet are accepted.
• We do not need any comparison offers for journeys by train or private car to the exhibition or event location.
• If participants for whom funding is requested arrive from several German cities in the same period, it is sufficient to submit a total of three flight offers from one German airport.

How should I structure my expense and financing plan?

• You will find a template of a detailed financing plan under item 5 on the application.

What is the legal basis for my application?

• When carrying out a project, expenditure from funds can be made only if compatible with general Federal budgeting principles (see www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bho).

When can I start working on my project; what counts as start of project?

• You can start working on the relevant part of your project as soon as you receive written confirmation of funding from ifa.
• Flights for which you have applied for funding, for example, may only be booked after you have received written confirmation of funding.

How can I access money for my funded project?

• We will reimburse you after you have sent in the original receipts.
• The funds for reimbursement can be accessed via the application system.
• You can apply for an advance payment of accommodation costs, which we will transfer to you around two weeks before you are scheduled to leave.
• Receipts issued prior to written authorisation cannot be reimbursed.

How does the reimbursement process work?

• In the funding agreement you will be informed about the funding amount and the payment modalities. Further you will find important information on this in our instruction sheet Invoicing Modalities which you can download from our website.
• After completing the project, we need the completed evaluation form. The form serves as a project report and is available for download from our website.

If there are changes in the project what are my next steps?

• In order to be always up-to-date, it is necessary that ifa is kept regularly up to date on the project and informed of changes immediately.

What do I have to consider with regard to communication and public relations?

• The ifa logo is available for download on the website. The logo is to be used on all media material (print media, internet etc.) relating to the funded project. Furthermore, the ifa logo has to be published in the exhibition rooms as close as possible to the artwork.
• For the documentation, publication and advance notice on the ifa website as well as in social networks (e.g. Facebook) and our newsletters, the projects funded require rights-free images.

If my application is rejected can I reapply for funding?

• You cannot reapply for funding for the same project.
• You may reapply by the submission deadlines for funding for a new project.

Do I get a reason for my project not being funded?

• The reasons for the decision won't be made public by the board.