Who can I contact with questions about my application?
You can attend the open consultation hour, which takes place online via Zoom every Monday from 17:00 to 18:00. You can register for the next consultation hour here:
→ Register for the consultation hour
If you have individual questions that cannot be answered during the open consultation hour, feel free to send an email to: opencall@wdc2026.org.
APPLICATION
Am I eligible to apply for funding from WDC 2026?
The online funding application for WDC 2026 is open to all projects that have received confirmation of their submission, along with a proposal for financial support from WDC 2026 as part of the Open Call 2024.
Projects that were already rejected in 2024 or were not proposed for any funding by WDC 2026 are not eligible to apply.
How can I submit an online application for funding?
The online application portal is exclusively for projects that have already received a funding proposal from WDC 2026. Applications must be submitted using the designated online form. The access link to this form will be sent via email by WDC 2026.
To submit an application, applicants must create their own user account in the portal using their email address.
Why am I being redirected to a page from Bureau Ritter for the online application?
WDC 2026 is working in cooperation with Bureau Ritter, an experienced funding organisation, to manage the application process. The form was developed in collaboration with WDC 2026.
What is the application deadline?
Complete online applications must be submitted by 05. May 2025 at 20:00.
Can I edit the online application in multiple sessions?
Yes, the online application can be saved as a draft and edited until the final submission. Each page of the form has a save button. If you do not manually save your entries, they will be lost.
Is there a legal entitlement to funding?
No, there is no legal entitlement to funding.
In which cases is funding excluded?
Funding is not possible if:
Where must the project and its events take place?
The project, including its events, must take place in the Frankfurt RheinMain region.
What information is required in the application form?
The online application form consists of the following sections:
Which documents must be submitted?
In addition to filling out the online application form, the following documents must be uploaded using the provided templates:
Where can I find the templates for the required documents?
The templates for the Declaration of truthful information and the Cost and financial plan are linked within the online form. Only these official templates may be used and uploaded to the form.
What does "the project must not have already started" mean?
No legally binding commitments for the project may be made before receiving the funding approval or explicit permission for an early start. Contracts signed before approval (e.g., rental agreements, service contracts, advertising, purchases) are not allowed. However, planning activities are permitted.
What is an early project start?
Once the application has been submitted, projects are granted permission for an early start from 06 May 2025 (the day after the application deadline). However, this does not guarantee funding approval. Any work done before approval is at the project’s own risk.
I missed the application deadline. What can I do?
Applications not submitted by 05 May 2025 at 20:00 will not be processed or considered for funding.
FUNDING
What happens after I submit the online application?
Once the application has been submitted, it undergoes a two-step review process:
If both checks are successful, applicants will receive a funding confirmation via email. A funding agreement will then be signed between WDC 2026 and the project organisers.
What happens after I receive the funding confirmation (expected May 2025) and sign the funding agreement?
Funded projects go through three financial stages:
We provide further information in our open consultation hours every Monday from 17:00 to 18:00.
FINANCES
What is a Cost and Financial Plan (CFP)?
The CFP provides an overview of projected expenses and income. It must be balanced, meaning the total income must equal the total expenses.
How should the CFP be structured?
The CFP must include:
The CFP serves as the financial basis for the funding agreement and financial reporting.
What does "the CFP must be balanced" mean?
All expenses must be fully covered by income sources (including own funds and external funding).
What if I am waiting for additional funding to balance my CFP?
Pending funding applications should be listed as "unsecured external funding" in the CFP.
What if I receive less external funding than expected?
You will need to reduce expenses accordingly to maintain a balanced CFP.
Should I include GEMA and the Artists' Social Fund (KSK) in my budget?
Yes, if you use music publicly, you may need to pay GEMA fees. Additionally, if you employ artists, a KSK contribution of 5.0% of their fees is required.
How do I calculate travel costs?
Travel costs should be calculated based on the Hessian Travel Expenses Act.
Where can I find additional regulations?
Applicable rules include:
FRAMEWORK CONDITIONS
All applicants confirm acceptance of the framework conditions by submitting the online application.
→ Framework Conditions for WDC 2026 Funding
DOWNLOADS
The following templates are available for download and must be completed offline:
Who can I contact with questions about my application?
You can attend the open consultation hour, which takes place online via Zoom every Monday from 17:00 to 18:00. You can register for the next consultation hour here:
→ Register for the consultation hour
If you have individual questions that cannot be answered during the open consultation hour, feel free to send an email to: opencall@wdc2026.org.
APPLICATION
Am I eligible to apply for funding from WDC 2026?
The online funding application for WDC 2026 is open to all projects that have received confirmation of their submission, along with a proposal for financial support from WDC 2026 as part of the Open Call 2024.
Projects that were already rejected in 2024 or were not proposed for any funding by WDC 2026 are not eligible to apply.
How can I submit an online application for funding?
The online application portal is exclusively for projects that have already received a funding proposal from WDC 2026. Applications must be submitted using the designated online form. The access link to this form will be sent via email by WDC 2026.
To submit an application, applicants must create their own user account in the portal using their email address.
Why am I being redirected to a page from Bureau Ritter for the online application?
WDC 2026 is working in cooperation with Bureau Ritter, an experienced funding organisation, to manage the application process. The form was developed in collaboration with WDC 2026.
What is the application deadline?
Complete online applications must be submitted by 05. May 2025 at 20:00.
Can I edit the online application in multiple sessions?
Yes, the online application can be saved as a draft and edited until the final submission. Each page of the form has a save button. If you do not manually save your entries, they will be lost.
Is there a legal entitlement to funding?
No, there is no legal entitlement to funding.
In which cases is funding excluded?
Funding is not possible if:
Where must the project and its events take place?
The project, including its events, must take place in the Frankfurt RheinMain region.
What information is required in the application form?
The online application form consists of the following sections:
Which documents must be submitted?
In addition to filling out the online application form, the following documents must be uploaded using the provided templates:
Where can I find the templates for the required documents?
The templates for the Declaration of truthful information and the Cost and financial plan are linked within the online form. Only these official templates may be used and uploaded to the form.
What does "the project must not have already started" mean?
No legally binding commitments for the project may be made before receiving the funding approval or explicit permission for an early start. Contracts signed before approval (e.g., rental agreements, service contracts, advertising, purchases) are not allowed. However, planning activities are permitted.
What is an early project start?
Once the application has been submitted, projects are granted permission for an early start from 06 May 2025 (the day after the application deadline). However, this does not guarantee funding approval. Any work done before approval is at the project’s own risk.
I missed the application deadline. What can I do?
Applications not submitted by 05 May 2025 at 20:00 will not be processed or considered for funding.
FUNDING
What happens after I submit the online application?
Once the application has been submitted, it undergoes a two-step review process:
If both checks are successful, applicants will receive a funding confirmation via email. A funding agreement will then be signed between WDC 2026 and the project organisers.
What happens after I receive the funding confirmation (expected May 2025) and sign the funding agreement?
Funded projects go through three financial stages:
We provide further information in our open consultation hours every Monday from 17:00 to 18:00.
FINANCES
What is a Cost and Financial Plan (CFP)?
The CFP provides an overview of projected expenses and income. It must be balanced, meaning the total income must equal the total expenses.
How should the CFP be structured?
The CFP must include:
The CFP serves as the financial basis for the funding agreement and financial reporting.
What does "the CFP must be balanced" mean?
All expenses must be fully covered by income sources (including own funds and external funding).
What if I am waiting for additional funding to balance my CFP?
Pending funding applications should be listed as "unsecured external funding" in the CFP.
What if I receive less external funding than expected?
You will need to reduce expenses accordingly to maintain a balanced CFP.
Should I include GEMA and the Artists' Social Fund (KSK) in my budget?
Yes, if you use music publicly, you may need to pay GEMA fees. Additionally, if you employ artists, a KSK contribution of 5.0% of their fees is required.
How do I calculate travel costs?
Travel costs should be calculated based on the Hessian Travel Expenses Act.
Where can I find additional regulations?
Applicable rules include:
FRAMEWORK CONDITIONS
All applicants confirm acceptance of the framework conditions by submitting the online application.
→ Framework Conditions for WDC 2026 Funding
DOWNLOADS
The following templates are available for download and must be completed offline:
