The Martin Roth Initiative is now accepting joint applications from artists and cultural practitioners at risk and their host organisations in Germany. This grant aims to provide temporary relocation and support, allowing artists to safely continue their work in a new context.
Program Overview
The grant facilitates partnerships between at-risk artists and German-based host organisations—such as cultural institutions or civil society groups—that can offer meaningful support, integration, and a platform for continued artistic or cultural work.
Applications must be submitted jointly by the artist/cultural actor and the host organisation.
What the Grant Covers
- Monthly stipend for the artist
- Individual support (insurance, psychosocial services, language courses, training, networking)
- Financial support for temporary additional personnel at host organisations (excluding permanent staff or unrelated freelance roles)
- Visa assistance for scholarship holders
- Training and counselling from MRI (e.g., on safety, sensitive communication, and psychosocial care)
- Networking and knowledge exchange with other grantees and host institutions
Note: MRI is not an emergency fund. It cannot expedite visa processes or guarantee immediate support.
Scholarship Duration
- Up to 15 months
Eligibility Criteria
For Artists and Cultural Practitioners:
Applicants must:
- Be committed to values of openness, peace, freedom, and democracy
- Be under threat or restricted due to their work or circumstances
- Be located in unsafe environments or have recently left their country of origin (after February 28, 2025)
- Lack access to long-term safety (e.g., not holding dual citizenship or permanent residency in a safe country)
- Demonstrate clear cultural or artistic relevance (hobby or private artists are not eligible)
- Possess adequate language skills for collaboration with host organisations
Ineligible: Citizens of the EU/EEA, Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA. Also excluded are previous MRI grant recipients.
For Host Organisations:
Eligible hosts include museums, theaters, festivals, collectives, and socially engaged institutions based in Germany that can:
- Offer ongoing artistic/cultural support
- Provide appropriate infrastructure and personal guidance
- Foster integration and professional development for the scholarship holder
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated by an independent committee based on:
- Level of threat faced by the applicant
- Artistic and social relevance of the applicant’s work
- Feasibility and quality of the project plan
- Capacity and commitment of the host organisation
- Fit and collaboration potential between artist and host
- Impact on the host and home communities
- Consideration of gender and diversity
How to Apply
- Applications must be submitted via the MRI online platform (access available upon request during open calls).
- Artists and host organisations each complete separate sections of the joint application.
