Martin Roth Initiative: Temporary Relocation to Germany for Artists and Cultural Actors at Risk 2027

About this call

The Martin Roth Initiative enables non profit host organisations in Germany to temporarily take in artists and cultural actors at risk so they can continue their work in a safe environment. Applications are filed in tandem: the artist and the host organisation each submit a separate application on the initiative's platform. Beyond a monthly stipend, the funding provides resources for the artistic and cultural work itself, along with insurance, language courses, psychosocial support and networking with other scholarship holders and host organisations. The initiative states clearly that it is not an emergency programme and cannot speed up application or visa processes.

Who can apply

• International applicants
• Medium: Mixed Media
• Entry fee: See official site
• Applicants must be demonstrably active artists or cultural actors whose work is committed to an open society, freedom, peace and democracy, who face restrictions on their freedom or threats from state or non state actors, who have no access to a safe abode, and who speak English or German. Hobby artists are not eligible. Citizens of EU and EEA member states, Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK and the USA are excluded, as are people who have already received MRI funding. Applications from people currently in Gaza cannot be accepted for this call. Eligible host organisations are non profit bodies such as museums, theatres, festivals, cultural collectives and non governmental organisations, and the initiative cannot help with matching. Platform access is requested by email to apply@mri-application.de. The digital deadline for both applications is 11 September 2026 at 5:00 pm CEST, and the host organisation must additionally post a signed and stamped hardcopy postmarked by 25 September 2026.