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Residency Funding

Creating synergies and fostering partnerships: By facilitating residencies at production houses and festivals for the independent performing arts located throughout Germany, the Fonds intensifies the collaboration between artists and artistic associations with independent production venues and festivals in various disciplines and genres. The focus is on artistic experimentation and open-ended artistic research, as well as the practical investigation of concepts.

What is funded?

Funding is available for open-ended projects such as artistic/experimental laboratories and concept development for future productions taking place in a residency, at/or in connection with one of the residency locations listed below. The individual implementation period within the approval period can be arranged flexibly.

Who can apply?

Professional independent artist groups from all genres and disciplines of the performing arts who live and work primarily in Germany, who have already received public funding for a production project in the independent performing arts at least once in the past three years (2023/2024/2025) and have a residence certificate from one of the member houses/festivals of the interdisciplinary networks listed below (Bündnis internationaler Produktionshäuser, flukks+, Netzwerk Freier Theater, FREISCHWIMMEN, FestivalFriends) that is based in the Federal Republic of Germany. Each of these potential residency locations can issue a maximum of two residency certificates.

How much can be applied for?

€5,000–€10,000 for a flexible implementation period. At least 80% of the funding amount is earmarked exclusively for fees for artists and other persons actively involved in the artist residency. A maximum of 20% of the grant amount may be used for material costs incurred by the residency, such as (rehearsal/stage) room rentals at the production houses/festivals facilitating the residency or travel expenses.

Application and funding deadlines

Applications to the Fonds Darstellende Künste must be submitted online.

Application deadline:

The possible project period for approved projects in the residency funding program begins with the positive funding approval (expected mid-May 2026) and ends on November 15, 2026. Complete proof of use must be submitted within one month after the end of the respective project, but no later than December 15, 2026.

For all further information, please read the regulations before submitting your application or before calling the office of the Fonds Darstellende Künste for advice. The FAQs provide further assistance. We strive to make the application process accessible and barrier-free. Please contact beratung@fonds-daku.de to arrange individual advice. 

Forms

All the important documents are available in the Forms section.

Jury

The jury for the production funding program is made up of members of the Fonds' board of trustees. You can find an overview of the members of the board of trustees here.