Goethe Talents Scholarship Requirements and Online Application

The Goethe Talents Scholarship is a 12‑day exchange programme organized by the Goethe‑Institut in cooperation with the Pop‑Kultur Festival in Berlin. 

It supports young, emerging musicians—including composers, singer‑songwriters, and instrumentalists—from developing or transitioning countries.

During the programme, participants explore Berlin’s music scene through studio visits, jam sessions, networking with music professionals, and exposure to creative companies. Selected talents also perform or present during Pop-Kultur’s Nachwuchs (talent) segment.

Goethe Talents Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Goethe Talents Scholarship, you generally need to:

1. Be between 20 and 30 years old.
2. Be a musician, composer, singer‑songwriter, or instrumentalist.
3. Be from a DAC country (i.e., a developing or transitioning country), which includes many African countries, South Africa among them.
4. Have some project experience in your musical field (for example, proof of at least three musical projects).
5. Have advanced English skills (minimum level B2).
6. Be motivated to develop professionally in music and to network with other international artists.

What the Goethe Talents Scholarship Covers

If selected, Goethe Talents scholars receive:

1. Participation fee for the 12‑day programme.
2. Travel expenses, including flights to Berlin and assistance with visa arrangements.
3. Accommodation and per diem (daily living allowance) during the stay.
4. Health insurance for the duration of the programme.
5. Festival ticket for Pop‑Kultur and access to its professional networking area.
6. Public transport in Berlin.

Goethe Talents Scholarship Application Process

1. Apply Online
   Use the Goethe Talents application portal via the Pop-Kultur website.
2. Prepare Supporting Documents
   You will need to submit:
   • A recent photo / portrait
   • Your musical bio, including influences and background
   • Information about three or more musical projects you have worked on
   • A link to a live performance or video (audio or video)
   • A short input talk: prepare a 10–15 minute talk about your music experience and the music scene in your country
3. Selection
   An international jury reviews applications and selects around 8 talents per cycle. Winners are notified around May.
4. Participation
   Selected scholars attend the 12‑day programme in Berlin, take part in creative and professional exchanges, and perform or collaborate at Pop-Kultur.

Goethe Talents Scholarship Closing Date

For the 2024 cycle, applications closed on 2 April 2024 (12:00 CEST).

New cycles are yet to be announced via the Pop‑Kultur and Goethe‑Institut websites.

Goethe Talents Scholarship Contact Details / Enquiries

• For application or technical support, email: [email protected].
• For press or broader Goethe Talents enquiries: see the Pop‑Kultur site’s contact section.
  

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