AK Travels Limited

Applications are now open for the RAVE Scholarship 2027 in Germany, a fully funded international cultural heritage fellowship supported by the Alexander Rave Foundation and administered by the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa).

The scholarship is designed for cultural professionals from developing and transformation countries who wish to undertake a professional placement at a non-profit cultural institution in Germany. Through international exchange, participants will strengthen their expertise in cultural heritage management, museum transformation, archives, collections, exhibitions, and cultural participation.

The RAVE Scholarship promotes intercultural dialogue, sustainable professional networks, and knowledge transfer between cultural institutions across different countries. The programme supports professionals working in museums, galleries, archives, and other cultural institutions that contribute to preserving and transforming cultural heritage. 0

Summary

• Scholarship Name: RAVE Scholarship 2027
• Administered By: Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa)
• Supported By: Alexander Rave Foundation
• Host Country: Germany
• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded Fellowship
• Programme Duration: 3 to 6 Months
• Eligible Applicants: Cultural professionals from DAC-listed countries
• Fields: Museums, Cultural Heritage, Archives, Collections, Curatorship, Restoration, Cultural Management
• Earliest Start Date: 1 February 2027
• Latest End Date: 31 December 2027
• Application Deadline: 30 June 2026
• Application Mode: Online

About the RAVE Scholarship

The RAVE Scholarship supports cultural practitioners who work with cultural heritage, collections, archives, museums, and exhibition spaces. The programme enables participants to spend several months at a host institution in Germany where they can deepen their professional expertise, exchange knowledge, and develop long-term international collaborations. 1

The scholarship places particular emphasis on:

• Cultural participation
• Sustainability
• Non-discriminatory cultural spaces
• Decolonial working methods
• Museum transformation
• Preservation of cultural heritage
• International cultural cooperation

The programme aligns with the modern definition of museums promoted by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and supports innovative approaches to heritage management and public engagement. 2

Scholarship Benefits

The RAVE Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support throughout the fellowship period.

Benefits include:

• Monthly scholarship stipend of €1,500 (net)
• Travel costs for arrival and departure
• Visa fee support
• Health insurance coverage
• Public transportation ticket within the host city
• German language course support of up to €500
• Family allowance for accompanying family members
• Access to professional networks in Germany
• International cultural exchange opportunities
• Mentorship and collaboration with host institutions

The scholarship aims to remove financial barriers and allow participants to focus fully on professional development and intercultural exchange. 3

Thematic Areas

The scholarship focuses on the transformation of museums and cultural institutions.

Priority themes include:

• Cultural participation
• Sustainability in museums
• Inclusive and non-discriminatory spaces
• Decolonial museum practices
• Cultural heritage preservation
• Collection management
• Archive management
• Exhibition development
• Public engagement
• Cultural mediation

Projects should contribute to long-term knowledge exchange and sustainable cooperation between institutions. 4

Who Can Apply?

The scholarship is intended for cultural professionals working in institutional or independent cultural settings.

Eligible applicants include:

• Curators
• Restorers
• Cultural mediators
• Cultural managers
• Museum professionals
• Archive professionals
• Heritage practitioners

Applicants may work as:

• Employees of cultural institutions
• Independent professionals
• Members of cultural collectives
• Freelance cultural practitioners

Applicants must have completed their higher education or professional training before applying. Current students are not eligible. 5

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the RAVE Scholarship 2027, applicants must:

• Be permanently resident in a country listed on the OECD DAC List
• Work professionally with cultural heritage, collections, archives, museums, or exhibition spaces
• Have completed university studies or vocational training
• Possess strong English language skills
• Identify a non-commercial host institution in Germany
• Develop a joint project proposal with the host institution
• Be available for an on-site stay in Germany
• Not receive another scholarship during the fellowship period
• Not participate in another residency programme during the fellowship period

Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed project will contribute to professional development and long-term institutional cooperation. 6

Host Institution Requirements

Applicants must secure a host institution before submitting their application.

Eligible host institutions must:

• Be non-profit organizations or public institutions
• Be museums, galleries, archives, cultural institutes, or research institutions
• Have a physical location
• Maintain collections or archives
• Designate a professional contact person
• Jointly develop a project proposal with the applicant

The quality of the joint concept note is one of the most important selection criteria. 7

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following:

• Completed online application form
• Joint concept note with host institution
• Invitation letter from host institution
• Proof of host institution’s non-profit status
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Employment references
• Professional reference letter
• Proof of educational qualifications
• Contact details of host institution
• Supporting documents related to professional experience

All documents should be prepared before starting the online application process because temporary saving may not be available. 8

Duration of the Scholarship

The scholarship duration is:

• Minimum: 3 Months
• Maximum: 6 Months

The fellowship must take place between:

• 1 February 2027
• 31 December 2027

Participants are expected to remain actively engaged with the host institution throughout the fellowship period. 9

How to Apply for the RAVE Scholarship 2027

Interested applicants should follow these steps:

1. Identify a suitable host institution in Germany.
2. Discuss a potential collaborative project.
3. Develop a joint concept note with the host institution.
4. Gather all required supporting documents.
5. Obtain an invitation letter from the host institution.
6. Complete the online application form.
7. Upload all required documents.
8. Submit the application before the deadline.
9. Await the evaluation process.
10. Monitor email communications from ifa.

Applications submitted by email or after the deadline will not be considered. 10

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the RAVE Scholarship 2027 is:

30 June 2026

Applicants are generally notified of results by September 2026. 11

Why Apply?

The RAVE Scholarship offers an exceptional opportunity for cultural professionals seeking international exposure and practical experience in Germany’s cultural sector.

Participants will gain:

• International professional experience
• Access to leading cultural institutions
• Long-term professional networks
• Expertise in museum transformation
• Knowledge exchange opportunities
• Exposure to innovative cultural practices
• Enhanced career prospects in heritage and museum management

The programme is especially valuable for professionals interested in cultural diplomacy, heritage preservation, museum studies, archives, and international cultural cooperation.

Related Opportunities

If you are interested in the RAVE Scholarship, you may also consider:

• DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme
• UNESCO Internship Programme
• International Writers Workshop 2027 in Hong Kong
• Chulabhorn Graduate Institute Scholarship in Thailand

Official Application Link

Final Note from AK Travels LTD

The RAVE Scholarship 2027 in Germany is a unique fully funded opportunity for cultural professionals who want to expand their expertise in museum transformation, heritage management, archives, and cultural cooperation.

At AK Travels LTD, we encourage interested applicants to start searching for a suitable host institution early, as securing a strong host partnership and developing a high-quality joint project proposal are essential components of a successful application.

Because the programme is highly competitive, applicants should prepare their documents carefully and submit a complete application well before the official deadline.