Investments in Nationally Significant Cultural Institutions in Germany (INK)
Nationwide grant for investments in the preservation of substance, modernization, and profiling of culturally significant institutions of national importance. Up to 50% funding rate, funding amounts between €100,000 and €2,500,000 per measure. Project proposals annually by November 15 to the highest state authorities.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The funding serves the sustainable preservation, modernization, and appropriate profiling of nationally significant cultural institutions in Germany. Supported are structural and technical equipment measures as well as measures to improve cultural mediation, with special consideration of sustainability, inclusion, cultural participation, diversity, and gender equality.
Eligible expenses
- Structural measures
- Equipment measures (e.g., museal, safety, event technology, administrative, energy-related, digital acquisitions)
- Measures for active cultural mediation
Non-eligible expenses
- Land acquisition
- Purchases of movable cultural property
- Publications
- Opening ceremonies
- Ongoing personnel and material expenses including follow-up costs
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Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- Headquartered in Germany
- Application by a non-profit or public institution
- Significant federal interest in the project
- Consideration of sustainability aspects
- Project must not have started before application submission
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Documents required for application
- Action sheet (updated annually by BKM)
- Application form of the responsible highest state authority
- Project description
- Financing plan
- Proof of total financing
Evaluation criteria
- Significant federal interest
- Sustainability and ecological balance
- Quality and supra-regional cultural impact
Description
The funding program supports nonprofit as well as public cultural institutions nationwide in investments for the sustainable preservation, modernization, and profiling of nationally significant sites. Funding is provided particularly for structural and technical equipment measures – such as museum, safety and event technology, administrative, energy-related, or digital acquisitions – as well as projects for active cultural mediation, taking into account inclusion, cultural participation, diversity, and gender equality. The federal government contributes up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a funding range of 100,000 euros to 2,500,000 euros per measure. Multi-year projects with a duration of up to 48 months are possible, provided the overall financing concept is secured and no construction or planning-relevant work has commenced prior to application.
Eligible to apply are nonprofit or public institutions based in Germany whose projects fulfill a significant federal interest. Excluded are, among others, land acquisition, purchase of movable cultural assets, publications, opening ceremonies, ongoing personnel and material costs, as well as pure planning projects and non-deductible VAT. Selection is based on criteria such as nationwide impact potential, ecological balance, and substantive quality. Project proposals must be submitted annually by November 15 to the respective highest state authorities. After review by the state and federal levels, the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media decides on the allocation of funds, which are provided in the following year. This program offers a long-term perspective for private and public sponsors to sustainably strengthen cultural infrastructure and to further develop cultural flagship projects throughout Germany in a future-proof manner.
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