FAQ

Application process

• Where can applications be submitted?

  • From 08 September 2025, applications will again be possible exclusively for projects in funding strand A! Applications can only be submitted online via the application portal on this website until 31 October 2025, 6 pm! The application portal will go online with the start of the application period.
    
    The sending date and time of the online form apply. The submitted documents will determine the funding eligibility of the projects. Applications that are not submitted on time or are incomplete cannot be considered.

• What funding strands are there and how do they differ?

  • The programme is divided into two funding strands: funding strand A for one-year, smaller projects with an application volume of at least 5,000 euros and a maximum of 25,000 euros and funding strand B for larger, multi-year projects and initiatives with a funding volume of up to 50,000 euros per year, i.e. 100,000 euros per project.
    
    You can find an overview of the two funding strands here.

• Who can apply?

  • Funding strand A:
    In principle, professional individual artists (regardless of their training), ensembles, collectives and recent graduates of accredited dance training institutions as well as festivals, venues, universities, production centres, production offices and cooperation networks of various actors in the dance scene are eligible to apply. The prerequisite is a registered office or place of residence (for natural persons) in Hesse.
    
    Full-time students are not eligible to apply. Students studying part-time can apply if they can prove that they are working primarily as dance professionals, that the project they are applying for takes place outside their degree programme and does not constitute creditable coursework. In addition, they must already have a first degree.
    
    Funding strand B:
    Professional artists (regardless of their training), ensembles, collectives, festivals, venues and production houses or offices, as well as cooperative networks within the dance scene.
    
    The prerequisite is a registered office or place of residence (for natural persons) in Hesse.

• Who is considered ‘professional’?

  • Dance professionals are those who pursue their artistic activity full-time, i.e. who devote the majority of their working hours to their artistic work. In addition, young professionals who have completed state-recognized dance training are recognized as professional.
    
    The application form therefore asks for proof of professional activity in the form of links to websites and videos or attachments such as press reviews, reviews or a KSK membership or proof of study.

• Who is the applicant for collaboration projects with equal partners?

  • In collaboration projects with equal partners, there is only one applicant who will also become a contractual partner in the event of funding.

• Does the project have to be realised primarily in Hesse?

  • Yes, project activities should take place primarily in Hesse.

• What are the funding objectives of the programme?

  • Support for emerging talent
  • Further development and sharpening of the artistic profile of established artists
  • Building, developing and distributing repertoire
  • Increasing the visibility of artists outside of the Hessian dance centres
  • Opening up new audiences and venues for dance through outreach formats and touring
  • Strengthening existing and initiating new artist networks and collaborations

• Which documents do I need to submit with my application?

  • You are required to submit the online application form provided via the portal, which includes the following:

  • a personal statement by the applicant (max. 1,500 characters including spaces)
  • a detailed project description (max. 4,000 characters including spaces, plus a synopsis of max. 1,000 characters including spaces), in which you should address your current situation, the goals of your project and how you plan to implement it. You may also consider the following questions:
    
    • What potential do you see for further development of your work?
    • What goals would you like to pursue with the Next Steps funding?
    • What specific means would you like to use to achieve your goals?
    • What do you hope to gain from the funding – what will be different afterwards than before?
    
    

  • The following documents must also be submitted as mandatory attachments:

  • A scanned copy (PDF) of the applicant’s self-declaration, including data protection declaration and the signature of the authorised representative
  • A detailed financial plan
  • Where applicable, proof of professional activity in dance (e.g. reviews, programme booklets, confirmation of KSK membership)
  • For graduates: proof of completion of studies at a state-recognised dance training institution

  • To help you prepare your application, we provide here the mandatory templates for the applicant’s self-declaration, the template for the budget and the budget guidelines.
    
    You may also include up to three additional optional attachments, such as press reviews, letters of recommendation, external evaluations, publications, etc.

• What do we fund?

  • Funding strand A:
    Funding is available for projects that support the applicant’s artistic and structural development.  Projects may include, but are not limited to:

  • Research, productions, re-stagings, touring, residencies, professional development or qualifications
  • Measures to improve production conditions, such as renting rehearsal studios or work spaces
  • Measures to promote inclusion and improve accessibility
  • Activities that increase the visibility of the applicant’s artistic work, such as press and public relations, outreach and engagement

  • Funding strand B:

    Funding is provided for multi-year projects that focus on the scene as a whole and contribute to improving the working conditions of dance professionals in Hesse. These can include:

  • Residency programmes
  • Support for emerging talent
  • Regional, national and/or interdisciplinary collaborations
  • Guest performance series and touring
  • Adapting or repurposing rehearsal spaces and venues
  • Measures to promote inclusion and improve accessibility
  • Mentoring programmes
  • Networking and knowledge sharing
  • Marketing, press and public relations
  • Outreach and engagement

• What expenses are eligible for funding?

  • In general, the following costs are eligible, provided they are directly related to the project:

  • personnel costs, fees, social security contributions (KSK)
  • rental costs for rehearsal and/or work spaces
  • costs for advertising, public relations and fundraising
  • direct costs: equipment hire, furnishing for rehearsal and office spaces (no construction work unless it is to make spaces more accessible), technical costs, props and costumes, research materials etc.
  • travel costs, transport, accommodation and subsistence
  • other costs such as clearing of music or performance rights (GEMA), or project-related insurance

• What expenses are not eligible for funding?

  • Funding is not available for property acquisition, construction measures (with the exception of measures to improve accessibility) and follow-up costs arising from the projects. Ongoing non-project-related material and personnel expenses are also not eligible for funding.

• What is meant by measures to promote inclusion and improve accessibility?

  • Measures to improve accessibilty can include the installation of ramps, handrails and the retrofitting of automatic doors.
     
    In addition, measures such as designing an accessible website, hiring a sign language interpreter for an event or providing audio description for a dance performance are also subsidised.

• How long is the project period?

  • Depending on the funding content, the project period can be organised flexibly; however, at least a maximum of 12 months for projects in funding strand A and a maximum of 21 months for projects in funding strand B.

  • Funding strand A:
    There will be two funding rounds.
    
    Round 1 (closed)
    Call opens: 18.11.2024
    Application deadline: 31.01.2025, 6 pm
    Project start date: earliest 01.04.2025
    Project end date: latest 31.03.2026
    
    Round 2
    Call opens: 08.09.2025
    Application deadline: 31.10.2025, 6 pm
    Project start date: earliest 01.01.2026
    Project end date: latest 31.12.2026

  • Funding strand B:
    No further round of calls is currently planned for funding strand B.
    
    Round 1 (closed)
    Call opens: 18.11.2024
    Application deadline: 31.01.2025, 6 pm
    Project start date: earliest 01.04.2025
    Project end date: latest 31.12.2026

• When is the earliest possible project start date?

  • The earliest possible project start date is 01.01.2026 for the second application round. However, funding will only be granted on the basis of a funding agreement. We therefore expressly point out that the start of the project and the related expenses and obligations are at your own risk before the contract is concluded.

• Is there a minimum or maximum application amount?

  • Funding strand A:
    In principle, a minimum of 5,000 and a maximum of 25,000 euros can be applied for.
    
    Funding strand B:
    In principle, up to 50,000 euros per calendar year − i.e. 100,000 euros per project − can be applied for.
    
    As a general rule, the requested amount must be appropriate for the proposed project and its duration.

• What form does the funding have?

  • Funding is provided as a project funding. Successful projects will be fully funded up to the maximum grant amount.

• Can I apply for several times with the same project?

  • It is possible to apply a second time for Next Steps with the same proposal from funding strand A after a negative jury decision in the first round of calls. However, it is advisable to revise the application − we will be happy to advise you.
    
    If you receive a positive funding decision in the first funding round, you may also apply in the second round. As the two funding rounds overlap by 3 months (1st funding round usually ends on 31 March 2026 and the 2nd funding round usually begins on 1 January 2026), please note that in the case of follow-up funding, the project of the first funding round must be completed before the second funding round begins. If the funding purpose of the applications is fundamentally different, it is also possible to run both projects in parallel.
    
    It is also possible to apply a second time for funding strand A with an adapted application for funding strand B (reduced project scope and budget) after a negative jury decision in the first round of calls. We will be happy to advise you on how you can adapt your project.
    
    Please note that if multiple applications are submitted in the same application round, a separate e-mail address must be used for each application.

• Is the contribution of own funds or co-financing a prerequisite?

  • Co-financing is desirable, but not obligatory.
    
    If you provide your own contribution or co-financing, this must be shown in the financing plan. Please only use the binding template provided by us to prepare your budget. You will find important information on preparing your budget in the budget guidelines. The documents are available in the section Downloads.
    
    Please be aware of the funding modalities for third-party grants.

• Can I get advice?

  • The Bureau Ritter team will be happy to advise you on all content-related and budgetary questions. The exact consultation times and contact details can be found here.
    
    Enquiries can be sent by email to nextsteps@bureau-ritter.de.

• Do people with a disability receive support with the application process?

  • We are committed to making the application process as accessible as possible and would ask applicants with disabilities or learning difficulties to contact the Bureau Ritter team to discuss alternative ways of applying.

• Can I also submit my application in English?

  • Yes, the application documents can also be submitted in English.

• Who decides on the applications submitted?

  • An independent jury of experts will decide which projects are selected for funding. The jurors of the second funding round are Raphael Moussa Hillebrand, Sofie Luckhardt, Melanie Suchy, Heike Wrede. The jurors of the first funding round were Esther Boldt, Raphael Moussa Hillebrand, Hanna Knell, Philipp Schaus and Melanie Suchy.

• What criteria are used to judge the applications?

  • The assessment criteria include the following:

  • The quality and feasibility of the submitted proposal
  • The submitted proposal’s expected impact on the applicant’s artistic and structural development, or on the consolidation of their previous work
  • The quality of the applicant’s regional, national or international network, and their collaborations with other artists
  • The project’s contribution to improving working conditions for dance practitioners in Hesse
  • The project’s contribution to expanding the diversity of cultural offerings for audiences in Hesse
  • Further development and/or sharpening of the own profile

• When is funding excluded for formal reasons?

  • Funding is excluded if the project has already begun before the jury meeting or if expenditure has already been incurred or contracts concluded.
    
    In addition, the following points lead to a cancellation for formal reasons:

  • the application deadline was missed
  • the application documents are not complete

• What is the amount of funding available?

  • A total funding volume of up to 175,000 euros is available for the second call for applications.
    
    Under funding strand A, one-year, smaller projects with an application volume of at least 5,000 euros and a maximum of 25,000 euros can be applied for.

• When can I expect an approval or rejection?

  • Approvals and rejections will be sent by email after the jury meeting. In the event of a positive jury decision, you will find a list of further documents we need to draw up the contract in the funding approval. The Bureau Ritter team will contact you as soon as possible.

• Is there a legal entitlement to funding?

  • There is no legal entitlement to funding from Bureau Ritter gUG within the framework of Next Steps.