Program Description International Export Funding for Music Companies

The aim of this program is to strengthen the international competitiveness of music companies based in Germany through company-initiated measures as well as participation in international industry events. It enables them to explore new markets and to build lasting contacts and networks.

Priority is given to events in target countries where the company and/or its artists have not yet been represented—or not sufficiently represented—but can already demonstrate a following or contacts through agents, managements, or social media.

Funding is provided for measures that form part of a well-developed export strategy by the company for the international positioning of its artists from Germany. The supported activities serve the promotion of their artists, market analysis, business initiation, and strategic communication in new target regions.

Eligible activities include, in particular:

• Travel and participation in international industry events, showcase festivals in the fields of music, film music, and sync, for market exploration, networking, or business development
• Organization of creative production and cooperation formats in which artists, writers, and producers work together in international constellations to create new works, open long-term collaborations, and build international networks, e.g., promotional performances (showcases) and songwriting camps abroad
• Communication and PR measures in the target country, provided they are connected to concrete export activities and serve market development or network building (e.g., social media campaigns, media partnerships, targeted press work)
• Use of external service providers, e.g., for international booking, PR, production, or on-site event organization

The organization of general public concerts or tours that do not take place within the framework of the company’s B2B export activities is not eligible for funding.

The following expenditures directly linked to the planned measures may be funded:

• Venue rental incl. event insurance
• Backline rental and other technical equipment
• Fees for external agencies / service providers (PR, booking, technical services, production)
• Press and PR measures
• Advertising and marketing (offline and online)
• Graphic and printing costs
• Translation costs, interpreters, visa fees
• GEMA fees, KSK contributions, etc.
• Travel costs for artists plus up to three accompanying persons (e.g., management/PR/technical staff) according to the Federal Travel Expenses Act (BRKG) and Foreign Travel Expenses Regulations (ARVVwV)
• Accreditation fees
• Artist fees taking into account the currently applicable minimum fee guidelines
• Personnel expenses, if directly related to project implementation (max. 15% of total expenditures)

The implementation of the measures must follow ecologically sound principles (use of reusable materials and equipment, minimal energy and resource consumption, sustainable event and mobility concepts, etc.) to help reduce the applicant’s ecological footprint.

Eligible for the International Export Funding Program for Music Companies are small and medium-sized enterprises as well as self-employed professionals in the German music industry—such as labels, managements, agencies, publishers, producers, entrepreneurial artists, and other service providers with an international focus. Through their activities, applicants must be significantly involved in the international development of artists from Germany.

A prerequisite is a comprehensible and sustainable export approach whose implementation is directly supported by the planned package of measures. Applications are submitted for an overall project in which different types of measures may be combined to suit the respective export strategy.

The repertoire of the artists supported through these export measures consists predominantly of original or newly created musical works.

Projects involving public-sector companies and/or broadcasting organizations, whether directly or indirectly, are not eligible for funding.

Funding is awarded as a non-repayable project grant in the form of shortfall financing.

The funding share is degressive and depends on the total amount of expenditures. As total expenditures increase, the funding share decreases.

For total expenditures of 1,000 EUR, the maximum possible funding share is 60% of total expenditures. The applicant’s own contribution (including any third-party funds) must be at least 40%.

For total expenditures of 50,000 EUR or more, the maximum possible funding share is 40% of total expenditures. The applicant’s own contribution (including third-party funds) must be at least 60%.

The requested funding amount may not exceed 60% of total expenditures or the maximum funding amount of 20,000 EUR.

Projects with total expenditures below 1,000 EUR cannot be considered.

Projects for which funding is requested may not have begun at the time of application. The International Export Funding for Music Companies may be granted up to three times within a calendar year, with a maximum total funding amount per year of 35,000 EUR per company.

No applicant or co-applicant, including legally independent subsidiaries or affiliated companies within the meaning of § 15 of the German Stock Corporation Act, may receive more than 100,000 EUR per year in total funding from Initiative Musik.

Funding applications must be submitted digitally to Initiative Musik. The required application form is completed in the online portal and submitted exclusively online. Details regarding type and scope must be taken from the form.

Applications must include the following program-specific documents:

• Brief description of the applicant
• Proof of official registration of the company in Germany (commercial register extract, business registration, or certificate from the tax office confirming registration as a freelancer including tax number and designation of activity), clearly documenting entrepreneurial activity in the music industry for at least three years
• Proof of previous relevant activities by the company in the international career development of artists and bands from Germany (artist profiles, press coverage, reports and statistics on export achievements, etc.)
• Portfolio of the artists and bands represented by the company for whom export project funding is requested
• Professional communication channels (website, social media) used by the company for international promotion of its portfolio/roster
• Project description: measures, schedule, objectives, organizational implementation, financing plan

Applications are assessed solely on the basis of the submitted documents by an independent expert jury, which recommends projects for funding. The final funding decision is made by the Supervisory Board of Initiative Musik gGmbH based on the jury’s recommendation and subject to the eligibility of expenditures determined during the application review. The decision of Initiative Musik gGmbH is final. Legal recourse is excluded. Applications are assessed solely on the basis of the submitted documents.

Criteria include, among others:

• Export potential of the project
• Quality and plausibility of the planned export strategy
• Prospects of success and sustainability of the planned measures
• Relevance for the internationalization of Germany as a music market

Funding decisions will be communicated to applicants digitally by the Initiative Musik office. Decisions are not explained.

Funding is approved through the digital conclusion of a private-law funding agreement for the specific case. Approval is granted once and does not create any entitlement to further funding and/or an increase in the funding amount. The project period is generally up to 12 months. Further details are set out in the General Funding Conditions and Funding Principles of Initiative Musik.

After completion of the project, Initiative Musik will review—based on a submitted proof of use—whether implementation and use of the funds complied with the application and the funding agreement.

The conditions described here enter into force on January 1, 2026, and apply until December 31, 2029.