Investments in Nationally Significant Cultural Institutions in Germany (INK)
The "Investments in Nationally Significant Cultural Institutions in Germany (INK)" program provides grants for the preservation and further development of cultural institutions. It supports structural and equipment-related measures, as well as the improvement of cultural education, to ensure sustainable development and cultural participation. The program is designed to run until the end of 2027 and is co-financed by the federal government and the states.
Who is Funded: Target Groups and Scope
The INK program targets non-profit and public cultural institutions in Germany that represent a significant federal interest. The goal is to provide targeted funding for nationally significant cultural institutions that contribute to the preservation and transformation of cultural infrastructure, thereby supporting the equivalence of living conditions in the Federal Republic of Germany.
What is Funded: Measures and Focus Areas
The INK program supports cultural investments aimed at the preservation, modernization, and profiling of nationally significant cultural institutions. Eligible measures include structural projects, equipment procurement, and initiatives to improve cultural education, with sustainability aspects always to be considered. Excluded are, among other things, land acquisition and ongoing operating costs.
Type and Scope of Funding
The INK program provides grants for investments, with the federal government covering up to 50 percent of the eligible expenses. The federal share per measure ranges between 100,000 Euro and 2.5 million Euro. Co-financing primarily comes from the states but can also come from municipalities and third parties.
Conditions and Requirements
Specific conditions apply to the application and project implementation within the INK program. These include considering sustainability aspects, not starting the project before the grant notification, and ensuring overall financing. Furthermore, the provisions of EU state aid law and the respective state budget regulations must be observed.
Application Procedure
The application procedure for the INK program runs through the respective supreme state authorities responsible for culture, which review, prioritize, and submit project proposals to the BKM by November 15 of the preceding year. The final selection and allocation of funds are made by the Minister of State for Culture and Media based on the suitability and supra-regional impact of the projects.
Legal Basis
The INK program is based on the funding principles of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) and is additionally subject to the regulations of the Federal Budget Code (BHO), the state budget regulations, and EU state aid law, particularly the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER).
Similar Programs
Funding Overview
Funding Status:
Open
Maximum Amount:
2,500,000 €
Deadline:
15.11.2025
Open Until:
31.12.2027
Award Channel:
Shared Management Subsidies
Region:
Germany
Sectors:
Cultural Institutions, Environmental and Climate Protection, Information and Communication Technology
Application Type:
Single Applicant
Funding Stages:
Infrastructure, Process Optimization, Capacity Building
Funding Provider
Program Level:
National
Funding Body:
The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM)
Managed By:
The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM)
Additional Partners:
States, Municipalities, Third Parties