Ask an expert! #3 Funding application knowledge
In our video series Ask an expert! experts answer questions which artists and cultural professionals often ask us in our day-to-day work. From funding opportunities in your field, work and project spaces in Berlin to practical knowledge for your next funding application: in Ask an expert! we provide you with first-hand expertise and practical tips in video format.
From the basic components of a funding application to the right timing for submission, to formulating your project idea: in this article our experts present valuable insights and advice on the topic of funding applications.
- #3.1 What are the essential components of a funding application?
- #3.2 How developed does my project idea need to be in order to apply for funding?
- #3.3 How should I formulate a funding application?
- #3.4 What type of application text is most likely to impress the jury?
- #3.5 What are the most common reasons why applications are rejected?
- #3.6 What should I do if my application is rejected? Can I apply for the same funding more than once?
Event tips: We regularly host events focused on cultural funding and application procedures, offering initial guidance and opportunities to deepen your understanding of applications and funding. Find all the details here.
Reading tip: Looking for further advice on application submissions? Explore our Resource Center.
Ask an expert! is constantly being developed by our team; new videos are being published regularly.
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#3.1 What are the essential components of a grant application?
From form templates to project descriptions to the cost and financing plan: In this video, Jenny Engler-Petzold delves into the components of an application for project cost funding.
- Event Tip: Do you have questions about creating or adjusting a cost and financing plan? We recommend our seminar "Cost and financing plan." Find all the details here.
- Reading Tip: Check out our Resource Center article "Cost and financing plan? Tips" for a cost and financing plan template with a glossary explaining key terms.
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Jenny Engler-Petzold is a certified EU fundraiser. She has been working for ten years as an independent project and funding consultant, primarily assisting organizations in the fields of culture and socio-political education. Her experience ranges from local to European funding sources. In addition to applying for funding, her focus areas include project budget calculation as well as administrative and financial project management. In 2023, she opened her own office where she advises companies and creatives from all industries.
#3.2 How developed does my project idea need to be in order to apply for funding?
Form follows function: in this video, you'll learn about crucial steps before applying for funding, along with Jenny Engler-Petzold explaining what it truly means for a project to be "not yet started."
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Jenny Engler-Petzold is a certified EU fundraiser. She has been working for ten years as an independent project and funding consultant, primarily assisting organizations in the fields of culture and socio-political education. Her experience ranges from local to European funding sources. In addition to applying for funding, her focus areas include project budget calculation as well as administrative and financial project management. In 2023, she opened her own office where she advises companies and creatives from all industries.
#3.3 How should I formulate a funding application?
Using the wh-questions, Katharina von Wilcke explains how to craft a concise and compelling funding application, providing your project with a clear structure.
- Event Tips: Our workshop "Basics: Turning an idea into a proposal" assists you in formulating your project idea for a proposal. For a deeper insight into writing project proposals, we recommend our workshop "Deep Dive: Describing project plans comprehensibly". Find all the details here.
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Katharina von Wilcke is a curator, juror, producer, lecturer, and consultant specializing in artistic and cultural affairs. In 1995, she founded DepArtment, the first production office for Performing Arts in Hamburg. She was a project manager at international festivals and co-led four editions of the Dance Congress (2006 - 2016) on behalf of the German Federal Cultural Foundation. In recent years, she has been focused more on sustainability issues in cultural operations, generating new audiences, and developing special discussion formats.
#3.4 What type of application text is most likely to impress the jury?
Stay true to your voice and be persuasive! Additional valuable tips for structuring your application and convincing the jury are provided in the video by Katharina von Wilcke.
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Katharina von Wilcke is a curator, juror, producer, lecturer, and consultant specializing in artistic and cultural affairs. In 1995, she founded DepArtment, the first production office for Performing Arts in Hamburg. She was a project manager at international festivals and co-led four editions of the Dance Congress (2006 - 2016) on behalf of the German Federal Cultural Foundation. In recent years, she has been focused more on sustainability issues in cultural operations, generating new audiences, and developing special discussion formats.
#3.5 What are the most common reasons why applications are rejected?
Good ideas alone aren’t enough – your application must not only be convincing in terms of content but also formally comply with the requirements. In the video, Júlia Gutiérrez Peris explains the most frequent reasons for rejection.
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Júlia Gutiérrez Peris is a policy officer for the Capital Cultural Fund and the cross-sectoral funding programs. From 2022 to 2024, she was co-head of the department for the promotion of the independent arts scene at the Berlin Senate Department for Culture. This department oversees more than 35 funding programs for projects and grants across all artistic disciplines. Since 2018, she has also headed the office of the Capital Cultural Fund (Hauptstadtkulturfonds). This fund was established jointly by the federal government and the state of Berlin to support significant cultural projects in the German capital that serve national representation. In 2021, she worked as a Senior Policy Officer at the Federal Commissioner for Culture and the Media.
#3.6 What should I do if my application is rejected? Can I apply for the same funding more than once?
Application rejected – what now? In the video, Júlia Gutiérrez Peris shares valuable tips on what to consider in the event of a rejection.
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Júlia Gutiérrez Peris is a policy officer for the Capital Cultural Fund and the cross-sectoral funding programs. From 2022 to 2024, she was co-head of the department for the promotion of the independent arts scene at the Berlin Senate Department for Culture. This department oversees more than 35 funding programs for projects and grants across all artistic disciplines. Since 2018, she has also headed the office of the Capital Cultural Fund (Hauptstadtkulturfonds). This fund was established jointly by the federal government and the state of Berlin to support significant cultural projects in the German capital that serve national representation. In 2021, she worked as a Senior Policy Officer at the Federal Commissioner for Culture and the Media.