Outlook for 2025

We would like to provide an outlook on the upcoming calls for concepts for the Musicboard funding programmes. We are glad to be able to continue our funding programmes in 2025, and thus be able to again support a variety of exciting events, projects, labels, as well as diverse artists and bands. Also, we are particularly pleased to announce an exciting development: Following a successful pilot project last year, the Musicboard scholarship will, for the first time, be offered as a Scholarship PLUS. In collaboration with Music Pool Berlin, we are offering its recipients coaching and mentoring over several months to support their artistic and professional development not only financially but also with sustainable expertise. Berlin Outbound – International Pop Exchange, an international mentoring platform that took place for the first time during Pop-Kultur last year, will also be continued.

Up-to-date information and all Calls for Concepts are published four to six weeks before the respective application deadline. Please note that some application deadlines have changed compared to the previous year!

LABEL FUNDING: APPLICATION DEADLINES ON 15 FEBRUARY, 15 MAY, AND 15 AUGUST 2025

Musicboard once again awards indirect artist funding to Berlin label operators within the Label Funding programme. As in 2024, the funding will be awarded three times a year, with deadlines on 15 February, 15 May 15, and 15 August 2025. The online application for the first deadline in 2025 is already open.

SCHOLARSHIP PLUS: APPLICATION DEADLINE ON 17 MARCH 2025

In 2025, the Musicboard will once again award scholarships to Berlin-based pop musicians and bands. The Call for Concepts is expected to be published in February, with the application deadline set for 17 March at 6 pm. For the first time, we are offering the Musicboard scholarship this year in collaboration with Music Pool Berlin as a “Scholarship PLUS” scheme: This programme provides funding recipients with not only financial support but also individual mentoring and coaching from experts who will assist them over several month in realising their funded project. Further details will follow with the Call for Concepts.

RESIDENCIES: APPLICATION DEADLINE ON 17 MARCH 2025

We’ll also continue to offer residencies to Berlin-based pop musicians and bands. As in previous years, you can apply for the residency in Salvador de Bahia, as well as for the co-creation residencies Accra/Berlin, Kampala/Berlin, and Detroit/Berlin. In Hellerau and Sternhagen Gut, only one residency will be offered in 2025 instead of the previous two. The Tel Aviv/Berlin co-creation residency remains on pause, but an artistic exchange in Berlin is being planned as an alternative to the residency stay. Information regarding the residencies in Ris-Orangis/Paris and at Villa Aurora in Los Angeles will be provided at a later date.

Please note: This year, there will be only one application period for residencies, with the deadline set for 17 March 2025!

PROJECT FUNDING: APPLICATION DEADLINE ON 1 APRIL 2025

The project funding programmes Festival Funding, Karrieresprungbrett Berlin, and Pop im Kiez will continue this year. The first application period for projects taking place in 2025 has already ended on 1 November 2024, the results will be announced shortly. The Call for Concepts for the second application period for the programmes Karrieresprungbrett Berlin and Pop im Kiez is planned for February 2025, projects that focus on supporting up-and-coming musicians and live music in different parts of the city can apply until the deadline on 1 April 2025.

SUPPORT TOUR FUNDING: ONGOING APPLICATION UNTIL 30 NOVEMBER 2025

The Support Tour Funding programme will also be continued in 2025. The programme supports up-and-coming Berlin pop musicians who are touring nationally or internationally with a more established headlining act. Applications must be submitted at least three weeks before the planned start of the tour.