Music Ambassador Programm 2023

It’s that time again! The application phase for the Music Ambassador Program 2023 has begun. The program is designed to support individual players as well as small and medium-sized companies in building contacts in the international music business and sustainably promoting their growth. This program gives you the opportunity to sustainably expand your network and grow your contacts in the international music business. We are looking for courageous and open-minded applicants who are ready for new experiences and challenges. As a participant, you will be reimbursed for part of your travel expenses, giving you a unique opportunity to embark on a journey of musical discovery.
As an applicant, you must be based or reside in Berlin, and your trip must take place between June 20, 2023, and November 30th, 2023. If you are selected, you will be reimbursed for a portion of your travel expenses during the project period as support.

Apply by June 20th, 2023!

Our travel grant program is already in its eighth round in 2023. Ambassadors* will be selected by an expert panel of judges, which will be announced on our website soon. So if you want to be part of this delegation to represent and strengthen Berlin’s music industry internationally, apply now and make your musical journey an unforgettable experience.

Information & Notes

Application process

• The application must be submitted via the digital application form by 20th June 2023, 23:59 at the latest. Applicants will receive an automated confirmation of submission. Applications sent by post or email cannot be considered. If technical problems occur during submission, please take a screenshot and notify us immediately by email to: musicambassador@berlin-music-commission.de. You find links to the application form and the template for the cost breakdown on this page.
• The following points are asked for in the application form:
  • Business details & brief description of the company
  • Have you had an MA application approved before? If yes, when?
  • Destination, travel dates (from-to) and purpose of the trip
  • Initial situation, idea and objective (max. 1,500 characters)
  • Realisation & perspective (max. 1,500 characters)
  • Total costs and amount of the requested travel grant
  • Upload a detailed cost breakdown (xls/xlsx)
  • Why exactly should your trip be funded? (max. 2 sentences)
• There is no right to a grant towards the costs. The decision is made by a jury of the Board of Trustees of the Berlin Music Commission. Applicants may not be part of the jury themselves.

Financial Details & Conditions

• There is no minimum or maximum application amount, but there must be an own contribution and/or third-party funding, as this programme can only provide a contribution towards costs. Once the amount has been set in the jury meeting, it will not be changed (fixed amount).
• The following expenses are eligible to be applied for:
  Travel and accommodation costs, admissions as well as fees for trade fairs, conferences, events or market development programmes. This list may be extended in individual cases. The maximum rates of the Federal Travel Expenses Act and the Foreign Travel Expenses Ordinance must be observed; in particular for hotel bookings in the destination country.
• The following items are not eligible: communication costs, fees from third parties, catering and hospitality expenses. Likewise, corresponding lump sums (per diems) are not eligible for funding under this programme.
• The Music Ambassador Programme cannot contribute to proposals that include other state funds of Berlin. However, it can be combined with federal funds (e.g. GO! Export of the Initiative Musik)
• If certain costs are covered by third parties or if further funding is requested from other sources, this must be indicated in the application.

Schedule / Accounting / Documentation

• Following the jury meeting (End of June 2023), the applicants will receive information about the decision. The selected Ambassadors will receive an agreement including the destination & travel dates and the amount of the grant (net).
• The Ambassadors will be given networking assignments for the trip. They will receive these by means of the above-mentioned agreement.
• The Ambassadors are obliged to participate in a preparation and feedback meeting.
• Payment will only be made after the agreement has been signed, after the trip has been completed and only after all required documents have been submitted in full:A short report (1-2 pages), photos and proof of contacts made must be submitted within two weeks after returning from the trip.The agreed grant will be paid out after proper invoicing. All costs actually incurred must be substantiated by receipts.
• When documenting the trip on social media, the hashtag #berlinmusicambassadors should be used. A link to the BMC social media accounts is welcome.
• The ambassadors agree to act as contact persons for Berlin companies interested in the target country and to share their expertise for possible future internationalisation projects upon request and to give advice on the peculiarities of the respective market.