Bundesportal | Apply for funding for projects aimed at preserving, researching, and promoting German culture and history in Eastern Europe

More Information

Publisher

Bundesministerium des Innern (BMI)

Last update or date of publication

July 1, 2026

Contact

The government service telephone number 115 – your point of contact for questions related to the federal, state and local.

Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 (and beyond these times in some regions).

Call 115 now

Government service telephone number calls are charged at local rates.

You can receive funding, for example, for the following projects in the "Science" category:

monographic studies and other research projects
specialized conferences, symposia, workshops
Compilation of encyclopedias, specialized dictionaries, thematic and regional bibliographies, and similar works intended for publication (preferably online)
Source cataloging, including scholarly analysis
Digitization of cultural heritage
Publication of scholarly works, preferably in digital formats
- If you apply for a printed version, you must explain why you are not considering an online publication. Funding for the printing of dissertations is granted only in exceptional cases if
  - the thesis has received the highest grade under the respective doctoral regulations (in Germany, “summa cum laude”) and
  - there is a specific scholarly interest in the publication in print form.
  - As a doctoral candidate, you are required to contribute 20% of the calculated maximum funding amount from federal funds. Funding for translations is available.

You can receive funding, for example, for the following projects in the “Cultural Mediation” category:

Exhibitions
Conferences, seminars, and workshops
Programs for outreach professionals
Programs in education and youth work
Cultural events in the fields of art, music, literature, theater, and dance
Popular science print and online publications (including printing costs and translations)
Films, audio recordings, and other digital media
Online documentaries and other digital media content (e.g., podcasts)
Acquisitions of outstanding cultural-historical objects

The BMI primarily supports projects that take the following aspects into account:

cultural exchange between Germany and its neighboring countries
Support for young academics
international cooperation
interdisciplinarity
Public visibility
Collaboration with institutions and stakeholders from Eastern Europe

The BMI determines the amount of funding on a case-by-case basis. It is capped at 100,000 EUR per project per year.

You will not receive funding for:

university theses, including dissertations
the launch of new book series

Application for Project Funding
Expenditure and Financing Plan (Form)
Detailed Project Description:
- Work Methods
- Expected Results with Quantitative Data
- Significance of the project for the applicant
- Funding Objectives
- Timeline
- Information on the project manager and the person in charge
Additionally (depending on the individual case):
- Proof of committed third-party funding or evidence of efforts to secure third-party funding
- Draft of a contract for services, a fixed-term employment contract, or a fee agreement
- Conference program with a schedule and a list of speakers, including their topics
- Cost estimate for publications and typescript in digital form
- Comparative bids in accordance with public procurement regulations
- Information on the nature of the intended academic collaboration with institutions in Germany and abroad
- For first-time applications: Articles of Incorporation or Rules of Procedure
- Authorization to act on behalf of the organization
- Credit report from the applicant’s primary bank
- Extract from the Register of Associations (for associations)
- Exemption notice from the tax office
- Notice of eligibility for input tax deduction (if applicable)
- Activity reports for the past 2 years

Once you have completed your project, you must submit the following documents:

Proof of how the grant funds were used
- all invoices and receipts related to project expenses, and
- a technical report
Performance review:
- Project report
- Additional documentation demonstrating compliance with the performance evaluation criteria

Application for a Federal Grant to Support Projects Pursuant to Section 96 of the Federal Funding Act (BVFG) in the Categories "Science" and "Cultural Education"

Expenditure and Financing Plan

Preliminary Calculations for Publications

Preconditions

Your project contributes to scholarly research or cultural outreach regarding Germany's past in the:
- former eastern provinces of the German Empire and
- the areas settled by Germans in the countries
  - Eastern Central Europe,
  - Eastern Europe,
  - Southeast Europe, and
  - Central Asia.
Its focus spans the period from the Middle Ages to the present.
The project adheres to current scholarly standards in terms of both subject matter and methodology and is aligned with the international research discourse.
Her project aims to have a lasting impact, such as
- advancing scientific knowledge,
- educational impact on the audience,
- a deeper engagement with the past, or
- a contribution to reconciliation in Europe or similar goals.
Your project contributes significantly to achieving the funding objectives.
The principal investigator of your research project holds at least
- a master’s degree,
- Magister,
- state examination, or
- a comparable university degree.
You have not yet started the project.
Your proper management of the business is ensured.
You are able to demonstrate that the funds are being used for their intended purpose.
The total funding for the project is secured.

Applications may be submitted by:

legal entities headquartered in Germany
- associations
- foundations under private law
- limited liability companies
- stock corporation
- registered cooperative
- Public-law entity
- Public-law institution
- Foundation under public law

Hints

You are not eligible for this grant.
Another funding opportunity for projects related to cultural outreach and the preservation of German cultural artifacts is available under the cultural funding program established by the Federal Displaced Persons Act (BVFG). You can apply for this funding through the federal states.

There are no costs involved.

Basis for legal action

§ 23 Bundeshaushaltsordnung (BHO)

§ 44 Bundeshaushaltsordnung (BHO)

§ 96 Gesetz über die Angelegenheiten der Vertriebenen und Flüchtlinge (Bundesvertriebenengesetz - BVFG)

Legal Remedies

Appeal
Administrative court action

Procedure

Submit your grant application electronically to the Federal Institute for Culture and History of the Germans in Eastern Europe (BKGE).

Download the application form from the BKGE website.
Fill out the application electronically.
Print out the application, sign it, and scan it back in.
Send the signed application and any other required documents by email to the BKGE.
The BKGE will review your application from a technical perspective. If necessary, the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) will consult additional experts. The BMI will take these expert opinions into account when deciding on your application.
The BMI will inform you of its decision. The BMI will then forward your application to the Federal Administrative Office (BVA). The BVA will review your expenditure and financing plan.
You will receive electronic notification from the BVA regarding whether your application for funding has been approved.
Once you have completed your project: Provide the BVA with proof of how the funding was used and submit the final report.

Deadlines

Deadline for submitting a complete project proposal: August 31 of each year
Proof of use of funds: no later than 6 months after the end of the project

Processing time

3 months

Selected region