Grant

Support for profile-defining/structure-building music school projects

Funding of projects that further develop the musical and music-educational profile of music schools in North Rhine-Westphalia beyond the usual music school activities. Minimum funding amount €2,000 or €5,000, maximum state funding €20,000 per year. Application deadline to be announced.

Culture Music

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Grant criteria

Application level: Advanced
Region: North Rhine-Westphalia
Funding amount: up to €20,000 per calendar year
Funding rate: 80%
Project duration: 24 months

Funding objective

Projects will be funded that go beyond the usual music school work, at least in the partial regional context, and are intended to musically or music-educationally further develop the profile of the music school.

Eligible expenses

  • Personnel expenses
  • Material costs
  • Exceptionally investment costs

Non-eligible expenses

  • Expenditures for construction measures

Eligible to apply

  • Educational Institutions
  • Public Institutions
  • Non-profit Organizations

Funding requirements

  • Registered office and main focus of activities in North Rhine-Westphalia
  • Fulfillment of the requirements of § 44 paragraph 2 KulturGB NRW
  • Project must not have started before approval
  • Own contribution of at least 20% of the eligible total expenses

Documents required for application

  1. Detailed project description
  2. Detailed cost and financing plan
  3. Proof of use after completion

Evaluation criteria

  • Alignment with the annual themes 2025
  • Profile-shaping impact of the music school
  • Musical and music-educational quality
  • Sustainability aspects and promotion of democracy
  • Digitalization aspects
  • Degree of cooperation

Description

The funding program of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia is aimed at music schools of all legal forms located and primarily active in North Rhine-Westphalia, which meet the requirements of § 44 para. 2 KulturGB NRW. The goal is to support profile-defining and structure-building projects that further develop the musical and music-educational profile beyond regular music school activities. Grants ranging from €2,000 (for independent music schools) or €5,000 (for municipal sponsors) up to a maximum of €20,000 per calendar year are available with a funding rate of 80%. A project duration of up to 24 months allows for sustainable implementation, while own funds amounting to at least 20% of the eligible total expenses must be contributed.

Personnel expenses, material costs, and, in exceptional cases, investment costs are eligible for funding; expenses for construction measures are excluded. The evaluation is based on alignment with the annual themes 2025, the profile-defining impact, musical and music-educational quality, as well as aspects of sustainability, promotion of democracy, digitalization, and cooperation. The application must include a detailed project description with measurable objectives, a detailed cost and financing plan, and the proof of use after project completion. Selection is made through a jury process; the application deadline will be announced. Applications are submitted digitally via the State’s funding recipient cockpit.

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