Applications are now open for Musicboard Berlin project funding for the first round of 2025 in the programmes of Karrieresprungbrett Berlin, Pop im Kiez, and Festival Funding. You can apply for projects to be carried out in 2026 until the deadline on Saturday, 1 November 2025, at 6 p.m.
In this round of funding, Musicboard Berlin is awarding grants in three programmes aimed at promoting Berlin’s pop music scene.
Karrieresprungbrett Berlin funds projects and platforms – from concert series, workshops and talks to interdisciplinary formats – that support up-and-coming artists and other newcomers from the pop music business and help boost their careers on a national or international level.
Pop im Kiez supports projects that aim to increase the acceptance of live pop music in a specific neighbourhood of Berlin. It seeks to sustainably strengthen scene-based music actors and their networking structures within the community, while generating positive effects for local clubs and venues. The programme also aims to counter the current displacement of subcultural spaces in Berlin.
Festival Funding helps finance Berlin pop music festivals and offers them support in planning. It has a special focus on festivals that involve up-and-coming creative talent as well people working in the music industry.
Funding is awarded through Musicboard Berlin GmbH upon recommendation of an independent jury of Berlin-based pop experts. The 2026 jury for Musicboard project funding consists of Edna Martinez, Melissa Kolukisagil, Silvia Silko, Ulrich Hartmann, and Wieland Krämer.
The Musicboard funding programmes support Berlin’s pop music scene and aim to strengthen its cultural and creative economic impact. Musicboard stands for a music scene that is accessible to everyone and provides space for the diversity of the city. Projects funded by Musicboard should therefore engage with diverse perspectives, considering aspects such as gender equality, diverse line-ups, and measures to improve accessibility.
Once again, Musicboard will provide selected projects with consulting on accessibility and inclusion from experts in the field. Applicants who would like such support can indicate their interest directly in the application form.
APPLICATION SUPPORT AND INFO SESSION
To answer questions regarding the current calls for applications in the Festival Funding, Pop im Kiez and Karrieresprungbrett Berlin programmes, we will hold an online info session on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 at 3 p.m. (German) and 5 p.m. (English). The session will provide information on how to submit applications and on managing and reporting funded projects. Participation is open without registration via Zoom using this link.
Additional support with applications is offered by the Kulturförderberatung of Kreativ Kultur Berlin. In addition to individual consultation, a funding glossary, videos with expert advice, and various workshops on the topic of funding, Kreativ Kultur Berlin also provides a proposal check. Also Music Pool Berlin offers free guidance on funding opportunities and how to navigate the application process.
Frequently asked questions are also answered on the Musicboard website of each funding programme. For further, specific questions about a programme, please contact us by e-mail at funding@musicboard.berlin or by phone during our consultation hours.
APPLICATION DEADLINE AND SECOND FUNDING ROUND 2026
The deadline for the first funding round 2026 is 1 November 2025 at 6 p.m. The allocation of funding is subject to the availability of funds in the 2026 budget of the State of Berlin.
For the Karrieresprungbrett Berlin and Pop im Kiez programmes, a second funding round is planned for 2026. The call for applications will — subject to the availability of funds — take place in February 2026. Festival Funding is only offered once per year; the next call for concepts for the 2027 project period is expected in autumn 2026.
Karrieresprungbrett Berlin: Information and funding criteria