The funding programme “Übermorgen – New Models for Cultural Institutions” allows individual cultural institutions, consortiums of several organisations or local authorities responsible for cultural organisations to develop pioneering innovation plans for their future institutional work.

An innovation plan is a roadmap for fundamental change processes within one or more cultural institutions. It aims to transform and reorganise the institutions, for example by prioritising values such as participation, institutional flexibility, better workflows or the sustainable use of resources. Alternatively, an innovation plan may focus on new collaborative structures, for example with a city’s independent art scene or with different communities. Details of the innovation plan will be worked out by the organisation during the programme’s pilot phase.

Applicants can choose their own topics and priorities. They may respond to challenges in their local area or sector, build on existing skills and potentials, or develop new approaches in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders. The innovation plan should aim to raise the organisation’s profile in its local context and make it more recognisable.

We do not fund ideas for artistic projects or for initiatives that are solely aimed at improving efficiency or optimising processes. We also do not fund the development or implementation of municipal cultural policy plans.

The innovation plan is developed by one or more cultural institutions together with their public funding body. We expect employees from the cultural institutions’ various departments to be involved in the creation of the innovation plan, in addition to participation by external cultural policy experts, government representatives and members of the local community.

To support to the funded cultural institutions, consortiums and local authorities in the creation of their innovation plans, the programme will organise regular future forums (see below) and research trips (see below).

The funding will also enable organisations to hire experts or process facilitators, or to organise workshops or events.

No, the pilot phase is for developing the innovation plan, not (yet) for implementing it.

The German Federal Cultural Foundation plans to provide additional funding from 2027 onwards to continue the programme and implement selected innovation plans. This implementation phase will be open to new applicants as well as to projects that were funded as part of the pilot phase (provided they successfully complete the application process).

• Creating a detailed analysis of the organisation’s current situation
• Developing an innovation plan in collaboration with different stakeholders (i.e. staff from various departments, cultural policy experts, representatives of local government, members of the community)
• Designing change processes
• Participating in future forums
• Participating in research visits and inspiration trips

Applicants decide on the exact course their project will take, in line with their objectives.

Yes, all the innovation plans will be presented at the final future forum at the end of 2026.

Institutions primarily or predominantly concerned with training, education or outreach are not eligible to apply. Special interest groups, academic libraries and organisations that only receive project-based funding are also not eligible to apply.

To be eligible to apply, a cultural institution needs to:

• be based in a town or city with more than 100.000 inhabitants (see below)
• be active in the fields of performing arts, visual arts, literature or music, or be an interdisciplinary arts centre, local library, or a museum of art or cultural history
• be a flagship organisation in its city or region
• have its own venue and a regularly occurring artistic programme (see below)
• have the necessary technical infrastructure and personnel
• be publicly funded, or alternatively be instituional funded by or under the ownership of local, state or federal government institutions (see below). The legal structure of the organisation (whether privately owned, non-profit, foundation or limited liability company) is irrelevant in this context.

Yes, several cultural organisations can form a consortium to apply. A consortium is understood as a group of several cultural organisations, either within a local area or across regional or state borders. A consortium can include organisations in small or medium-sized towns, as long as one of the partner organisations is based in a large city. Consortiums can also include collaborations between a cultural institution and its city’s independent arts scene.

If a consortium does not have its own legal form, it should designate one of the partner organisations based in a large city as its lead partner and main applicant.

Otherwise, the same requirements that apply to cultural organisations also apply to consortiums.

Yes, local authorities of more than 100.000 inhabitants who are responsible for cultural institutions are eligible to apply. They will apply on behalf of the cultural institution or cultural institutions they support, with the goal of creating an innovation plan for – and in collaboration with – the/these cultural institution(s).

Members of the independent arts scene can apply if they meet the criteria for eligible cultural institutions laid out in the funding principles (also see above).

Collaborations with the independent arts scene are also welcomed as part of applications by consortiums.

Yes, this is possible.

During the pilot phase, Bureau Ritter, the executive partner for Übermorgen, will offer six two-day future forums in collaboration with the Institute for Arts and Media Management at the Hamburg University of Music and the German Federal Cultural Foundation. They will provide professional support for the funded projects and offer networking opportunities and the chance to exchange ideas. Future forums impart methodological skills, expertise and examples of best practice. Participants discuss topics such as future-proofing, inclusion and participation, new organisational models, cultural leadership, spaces for culture, infrastructure, self-image and the role of cultural institutions in urban society.

Future forums are generally not open to the public. Participation is mandatory for the project manager of each organisation and at least one other person in a leading position (i.e. artistic director, dramaturg, curator or head of department).

The six future forums will take place between September 2025 and December 2026. Successful applicants will receive the exact dates together with the notification of their grant.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to visit inspiring cultural centres in Germany and Europe. The three-day group trips will focus on different topics and open new perspectives on the potential work, mission and organisation of cultural institutions. They are opportunities for decision-makers in the cultural sector, government and politics to explore pioneering initiatives all over Europe, discuss their own issues and challenges, and develop new strategies together.

Only participants in funded projects can join these excursions.

Trips will last three days and are expected to take place between September 2025 and October 2026. Successful applicants will receive details regarding destinations and organisation together with the notification of their grant.

The project period begins when funding is approved in June 2025.

Grant agreements are usually signed six weeks after the submission of all necessary documents by the applicant. Grants can only be paid once the grant agreement has been signed.

As all funding depends on the successful completion of the grant agreement, we advise applicants that any activities prior to the start date and any costs incurred before the signing of the grant agreement are at their own risk.

Projects must begin in June 2025 and end on 31 December 2026.

The project period will be the same for all funded projects to enable all those involved to participate in the future forums and research trips.

The grant amount per project in the pilot phase is 50,000 euros.

Direct costs related to the project and personnel costs are eligible for funding.

Eligible costs can include additional personnel costs, costs for consulting experts or for hiring process facilitators.

Contributions in kind and services that are covered by an institution on an ongoing basis (such as the provision of event spaces, technology, accommodation, permanent staff, etc.) or voluntary/unpaid work – i.e. services that are nor renumerated – cannot be included in the budget.

Costs for construction projects and other investment-based activities are ineligible.

No, there is no requirement for co-financing.

However, applying institutions must contribute their own resources to develop the project during the project period. A letter of confirmation to this effect must be submitted with the application form.

In order to simplify the funding disbursement and review process, we enable the reimbursement of project-related costs after expenses by the project by way of the verification of the use of funds (Verwendungsnachweis). However, it is still possible to apply for funds to be disbursed during the project.

The provisions outlined in the grant agreement, along with §§ 23 and 44 of the German Federal Budget Code (BHO) and the associated administrative regulations, govern key aspects including the approval, payment, and financial reporting of the grant. They also cover the verification of proper use, potential withdrawal from the grant agreement, and the reclaiming of granted funds if necessary. Additionally, the Federal Court of Auditors has the authority to conduct audits in accordance with §§ 91 and 100 of the German Federal Budget Code (BHO).

• A project manager
• A cross-departmental project team
• Time and personnel for the process (i.e. by seconding staff to the process, or by temporarily reducing the organisation’s regular programming schedule)

Yes, applicants are asked to list their available resources. They are also required to submit a letter from the organisation’s senior management confirming that they will commit these resources and put in place a project team.

To apply, you must complete the online application form, which is available to download from the Bureau Ritter website from 3 December 2024.

Visit the dedicated application portal here.

Templates for the budget and signed declaration can be found in the Downloads section of the website. Please note that templates need to be saved on your device before they can be edited.

All other documents can be uploaded in the portal as PDFs.

The team at Bureau Ritter will be happy to advise you by phone or, on request, via video call. The team can be reached by phone on +49 30 40 20 33 26 0 from Monday to Friday between 10am and 3pm, or by emailing kontakt@programm-uebermorgen.de