Currently closed for grant applications
The grant award process for the years 2027/2028 has been completed. Applications for the Hessische Kulturstiftung 2029/2030 travel and residency grants will be accepted starting in the late summer of 2028.
For the years 2027 and 2028, the Hessische Kulturstiftung will award altogether 5 travel grants of 3 to 12 months duration for destinations of the recipient’s choice in Germany and abroad.
Artists who meet the funding prerequisites can apply by submitting the necessary documents and a substantive project proposal on the Hessische Kulturstiftung’s digital application portal by 15 October 2026.
The application procedure
The grant offers are announced publicly every two years. Artists who meet the funding prerequisites can apply by submitting the necessary documents and a substantive project proposal on the Hessische Kulturstiftung’s digital application portal within the prescribed deadline.
Artist duos may submit a joint application. The same holds for applicants who will be accompanied by minor children and, where required, a caregiver for the minor(s) or—in medically justified cases—a caregiver for the grant recipient themself. Applications are not accepted from persons who have already been awarded a Hessissche Kulturstiftung travel or residency grant in the past (does not apply to a State of Hesse work, project, or gap grant). For detailed information about our grant awards, see the funding guidelines farther down on this page.
The selection procedure
Shortlist and Jury
In the first selection round, five jurors select the applicants for the shortlist. The jury is made up of experts from throughout Germany who work in various areas of art and culture, for example as curators or in other positions at art associations, museums, or academies. In a second round, the finalists for the new grant cycle are determined by means of random selection from the shortlist.
First successfully used for the Hessische Kulturstiftung grant programme in 2024, this selection procedure, comprising a juried preliminary selection followed by a randomized final decision, is intended to ensure the greatest possible equality of opportunity, reduce bias, and promote diversity. It has proven to be a suitable means of achieving quality standards combined with an increase in the diversity of the selected recipients.
Next grant cycle
Applications possible in summer 2028
The grant award process for the years 2027/2028 has been completed. Applications for the Hessische Kulturstiftung 2029/2030 travel and residency grants will be accepted starting in the late summer of 2028. Detailed information on the application procedure and access to the digital application portal will be available on this website and on social media starting in the summer of 2028.
Download
Here you find the guidelines for awarding grants, as well as the complete FAQs available for download.
Funding guidelines for travel grants
Visual artists who
a) were born in Hesse OR
b) have lived in Hesse (primary residence) since 1 January 2025 at the latest OR
c) have completed a degree at an art academy or a comparable course of study in Hesse
can apply for a grant.
There is no age limit.
Artist duos may submit a joint application. The same holds for applicants who will be accompanied by minor children and, where required, a caregiver for the minor(s) or—in medically justified cases (proof required)—a caregiver for the grant recipient themself. The accompanying persons must be named in the application.
Applications are not accepted from persons who
a) have already been awarded a Hessische Kulturstiftung travel or residency grant in the past (does not apply to a State of Hesse work, project, or gap grant).
b) are still in the process of pursuing a degree or vocational training programme at the time of the application.
For the years 2027 and 2028, the Hessische Kulturstiftung will award altogether 5 travel grants of 3 to 12 months duration for destinations of the recipient’s choice. Each grant is endowed with 25,000 euros.
For the production of works that evolve within the framework of the grant or for their presentation in exhibitions or publications, the foundation will provide additional funding of up to 7,700 euros. The grant recipient can make use of this allowance for up to three years after the end of the grant period.
In the case of artist duos or grant recipients with a minor child / minor children and, where necessary, a caregiver for the minor(s) or—in medically justified cases—a caregiver for the grant recipient themself, the grant amount can be increased by 6,000 euros to 31,000 euros.
The grant amount cannot be increased to accommodate accompanying persons such as partners or spouses.
- information on yourself / In the case of an artist duo, information on the person submitting the application only (name, address, contact information)
- information on your artistic career / In the case of an artist duo, information on your collaboration (short CV, solo and group exhibitions, awards and grants received)
- project proposal (max. 3 pages, max. 6,000 keystrokes)
- digital illustration material / videos (max. 10 MB)
- information on two persons within your professional sphere who are able to answer questions about your artistic development
- mandatory documents: ID (identification card or passport) AND proof of one of the three alternative application prerequisites (place of birth / primary residence / completion of academic degree in Hesse)
- other attachments: portfolio, letters of recommendation, publications, etc. (max. 10 MB per PDF file)
The application deadline is 15 October 2026. The application portal will close at 11:59 pm CET (Central European Time) on that day. After that time, no further applications can be uploaded.
In the first selection round, five jurors select the applicants for the shortlist. The jury is made up of experts from throughout Germany who work in various areas of art and culture. Their names will be announced at the end of the application phase. In the second round, altogether 14 of the applicants on the shortlist are chosen as recipients by means of random selection (5 for travel grants and 9 for residency grants).
This selection procedure, comprising expert appraisal by an independent jury and a subsequent randomized final decision, ensures the greatest possible equality of opportunity and is intended to reduce bias and promote diversity. It has proven to be a suitable means of achieving quality standards combined with an increase in the diversity of the selected recipients.
All applications are checked to ensure they fulfil the funding prerequisites. If we have questions about your application, we will contact you. Please refrain from inquiring with us about the status of your application.
We will prospectively arrive at our funding decisions on all applications in November 2026. The funding decisions will be officially announced in December 2026. We will inform all applicants in writing of the decision in favour of or against their application.
There is no legal entitlement to receive a grant.
N.N.
International Grant Programme
Phone +49 (0)611 585 343 44
E-Mail hkst-stipendien@hkst.de
Viola Gerber
International grant programme application procedure
Phone +49 (0)611 585 343 53 (phone hours: Mon and Wed 10:00 am – 3:00 pm)
E-Mail gerber@hkst.de
FAQ
Who can apply for a travel or residency grant?
Visual artists who …
- were born in Hesse or
- have lived in Hesse (primary residence) since no later than 1 January 2025 or
- have completed a degree at an art academy or a comparable course of study / training in Hesse.
Who cannot apply for a travel or residency grant?
Persons who …
- have been awarded a Hessische Kulturstiftung travel or residency grant in the past (does not apply to State of Hesse work, project, or gap grants)
- are pursuing a course of study or vocational training—that is, persons who have not yet completed their course of study or vocational training—at the time of submitting their application. Artists pursuing a doctorate may apply.
- are related to one of the jury members, are employed by the Hessische Kulturstiftung, or are related to a Hessische Kulturstiftung employee
Is there a limit on age?
No, the grants are a form of support awarded to artists independently of age.
I am not a German citizen. Can I apply anyway?
Yes, German citizenship is not a prerequisite for applying.
Is the support intended for persons pursuing academic study / vocational training?
No. Academic study / vocational training must be completed by the time the application is submitted.
Can I apply if I am a self-taught artist?
Yes, self-taught artists with special artistic qualifications are eligible to apply.
Can I apply if I am a filmmaker?
No. Please inquire with the Hessen Film & Medien GmbH, Frankfurt am Main.
Can artist duos apply?
Yes, artist duos can apply for both the travel and the residency grants. The application must be submitted by only one of the artists making up the duo; the person applying must fulfil the application criteria. Proof of the duo’s joint artistic activity over the past three years must be submitted with the application.
Can grant recipients be accompanied by other persons / caregivers during the grant period?
Yes. Persons who will be accompanied by minor children and, where necessary, a caregiver for the minor(s) and/or, in medically justified cases (proof required), a caregiver for the grant recipient themself may apply. At the Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa, only minors who have not yet reached the age of mandatory school attendance are permitted. All accompanying persons must be named in the application. Retroactive registration of accompanying persons is not permitted. Accompaniment by persons such as partners or spouses is also possible. Applicants applying for residency grants must name these persons in advance.
I am already receiving funds from a different grant or a different form of funding or have applied for the same. Can I apply for the Hessische Kulturstiftung grant in addition?
Yes, the grant is essentially compatible with other grants / forms of funding. The only exception is funding that covers the same period and serves the same purpose—that is, the project outlined in the application. In your application, please describe as precisely as possible which working phase you would like to realize with the aid of the Hessische Kulturstiftung grant.
What language skills are required for the residency grants?
Proficiency in English or French is required. Persons applying for a residency grant in Istanbul or Kyoto should complete a language course in Turkish or Japanese before the start of the grant period.
When can I apply?
Applications will be accepted from 12.01 a.m. on 1 August 2026 to 11.59 p.m. on 15 October 2026. The online application must be uploaded on the Hessische Kulturstiftung digital application portal (bewerberportal.hkst.de) in its entirety within that period.
Do I have to apply by way of the digital application portal?
Yes. Applications submitted by e-mail, mail, or telefax will not be accepted.
Can I apply for a travel grant AND a residency grant?
No. Only one application for one grant is possible per grant cycle. In the application, you have to indicate whether you are applying for a travel or residency grant. You also have to specify your desired travel destination(s) or residency location.
Do I have to apply for the residency at the Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa by way of the Hessische Kulturstiftung?
Yes. The grant on offer is a Hessische Kulturstiftung grant consisting of a residency phase and a work and travel phase. The Hessische Kulturstiftung grant recipients spend their residency phase at the Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa, which in addition to its own grant recipients also accommodates grant recipients of cooperating institution. The Hessische Kulturstiftung grant recipients begin the work and travel phase of their grant immediately following the residency phase at the Villa Kamogawa.
What do I need in order to apply for a grant?
- One of the following proofs of identity (please check the validity of all documents submitted):
- Identification card (Personalausweis) (front and back in one document) or
- Passport
- Proof of fulfilment of application prerequisite with one of the following:
- Copy of birth certificate issued by the State of Hesse or
- Copy of identification certifying current registered address or place of birth in Hesse (front and back) or
- Copy of a recently issued official proof of primary residence in Hesse since no later than 1 January 2025 or
- Copy of a certificate of graduation from studies at a Hessian art academy or a comparable course of study / vocational training in Hesse
- Information on your artistic career / In the case of artist duos, information on your artistic collaboration (e.g. solo and group exhibitions, awards and grants received)
- Description of your planned project (max. 3 pages, max. 6,000 keystrokes)
- Digital illustration material / videos (max. 10 MB)
- Contact information of two persons from within your professional environment who can provide information about your artistic development
- Other attachments: portfolio, letters of recommendation, publications, etc. (max. 10 MB per PDF file)
Are there any specifications / restrictions on content?
You have to apply for a Hessische Kulturstiftung grant with a specific artist project which you plan to realize during your travels or your residency. You have complete freedom regarding the content and form of your artistic project.
Do I need to disclose whether I used AI to create my application?Yes. The digital application portal asks whether AI was used in creating the application and, if so, for what purposes (assistance with brainstorming, content research, help with phrasing, spell-checking, translation assistance, etc.). The jury’s evaluation of the application may take into account whether and to what extent AI was used.
I have to specify the prospective costs of my project?
No. All you have to do is describe your project.
Do I have to apply in German?
Applications can be made in German or English.
Can I submit any missing documents / certificates after the application deadline?
No. One prerequisite for the grant funding is the submission of a complete application by the deadline.
How are the grants endowed?
The residency and travel grants of the Hessische Kulturstiftung are endowed as follows:
- Travel grants: 25,000 euros each
- Residencies in New York City, London, Paris: 25,000 euros each
- Residencies in Istanbul: 12,500 euros each
- Residencies in Kyoto with subsequent work and travel phase: 15,000 euros each
In addition, up to 7,700 euros can be placed at the grant recipient’s disposal per grant for the production of works that evolve within the framework of the grant project and/or their presentation in exhibitions or catalogues. The grant recipient can make use of these funds for up to three years after the end of the grant period.
Does the grant amount increase if an artist duo receives the grant?
Yes, if a travel or residency grant is awarded to an artist duo, the grant amount increases as follows:
- to 31,000 euros for the travel grants and the residency grants in New York City, London, and Paris
- to 15,500 euros for the residency grants in Istanbul
- to 19,000 euros for the residency grants in Kyoto with subsequent travel and work phase in Japan.
Does the grant amount increase if someone accompanies me?
Yes. The grant amount can be increased as follows if the grant recipient is accompanied by minor children and, where required, a caregiver for the minor(s) and/or—in medically justified cases—a caregiver for the grant recipient themself:
- to 31,000 euros for the travel grants and the residency grants in New York City, London, and Paris
- to 15,500 euros for the residency grants in Istanbul
- to 19,000 euros for the residency grants in Kyoto with subsequent travel and work phase in Japan.
The grant amount cannot be increased to accommodate accompanying persons such as partners or spouses.
Do I have to pay taxes on the grant amount?
No. The grant is tax-exempt within the framework of the EStG (German Income Tax Act) Section 3(44). The acceptance of the grant does not obligate the grant recipient to perform any work for the Hessische Kulturstiftung. The grant recipient is responsible for their own health insurance and social security.
Do I have to submit proof of how I used the grant amount at the end of the grant period?
No.
What does the grant support?
The Hessische Kulturstiftung travel and residency grants offer visual artists the opportunity to devote themselves entirely to their artistic and research projects in a new environment. Immersion in various artistic traditions and contemporary currents enables artists to expand their artistic abilities and perspectives. The intercultural experience not only contributes to their personal and professional development and the transfer of ideas, perspectives, and conceptions, but also enlivens cultural exchange and the international interconnection of the art world.
How long can I travel on a travel grant?
The grant is for travel in Germany and/or abroad for a minimum of three to a maximum of twelve months.
Can I travel to several places / countries on the travel grant?
Yes, it is permissible to travel to several places / countries on the travel grant. However, the travel destinations have to bear a relationship to your project.
How long is the residency on the residency grant?
New York City, London, Paris: twelve months
Istanbul: six months
Japan: six months (three months residency at the Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa in Kyoto followed immediately by a three-month individual work and travel phase in Japan)
Do I have to pay a deposit on the studio?
Yes, you pay a deposit at the start of the residency grant period and it will be refunded to you at the end of your stay, provided the studio is in good condition.
Do I have to pay rent during the residency?
No, you only have to pay for utilities insofar as they are not explicitly covered by the Hessische Kulturstiftung or the respective cooperation partner.
Do I have to have liability insurance during the residency?
Yes, you are required to have valid private liability insurance for the duration of the residency. You must submit a copy of the insurance policy as proof of insurance.
Am I allowed to have guests in the studio?
In principle, you are allowed to have guests in the studios in New York City, London, Paris, and Istanbul, but you have to coordinate the invitation with the Hessische Kulturstiftung in advance. At the Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa, a maximum of three persons (including the grant recipient) may use the apartment for a maximum of two weeks and only after consulting the Villa Kamogawa.
Are pets allowed in the studios?
You are not allowed to bring pets with you on your residency.
Does the Hessische Kulturstiftung organize the grant recipients’ visas?
No. The grant recipient is responsible for checking the requirements for entering and staying in the respective host country / countries before the start of the grant period, and for independently applying for and obtaining the required visas, residence permits, and other official permissions. Visa costs exceeding 200 euros can be subsidized by the foundation.
Does the Hessische Kulturstiftung provide health insurance during the grant period?
No, you are required to arrange for health insurance for yourself.
Am I required to document my grant period?
Yes. Over the course of the grant period, you will be asked to make a progress report. After the grant period is over, you are required to hand in a final report.
What is the procedure for selecting the grant recipients?
From all correctly submitted applications, five jurors make a selection of applicants for the shortlist. In a second round, the finalists are determined by means of random selection from the shortlist. Our selection procedure for the awarding of grants leads to the greatest possible equality of opportunity and is designed to guarantee fairness, reduce bias, and promote diversity.
Who is on the jury?
The jury is made up of five experts from throughout Germany who work in various areas of art and culture, for example as curators or in other positions at art associations, museums, or academies. Their names will be announced at the end of the application phase.
When will the decisions on the grant awards be taken?
Prospectively in November 2026. The decisions will be communicated in writing.
When will the grant awards be officially announced?
In December 2026.