Objective
TheMuseumsLab is a programme for joint learning, perspective exchange, networking and career building among African and European museum professionals. Bringing them together to build bridges between individuals, institutions, nations and two continents for an engaged discussion on how museums can confront their past, meet the present needs of society and work towards an equitable future.
Please see the document “Call for Applications” (also attached under "Contact and Consulting") for further information and the overarching theme for next year’s programme.
Please see the document “Call for Applications” (also attached under "Contact and Consulting") for further information and the overarching theme for next year’s programme.
Who can apply?
African and European Museum professionals who have at least two years' experience of working in the museum, heritage, or art sector and a relation to the overarching theme of the programme next year.
What can be funded?
The participation in the complete programme of 2026 (see “Value” for more information)
Duration of the funding
Programme activities will take place from 6 May to 2 December 2026.
Kick-Off Event (Online)
6 May 2026
Module 1 (Online)
7, 11, 27, 28 May and 2 June 2026
Module 2 (Onsite in Berlin)
15 June – 20 June 2026 (Arrival 14 June, Departure 21 June 2026)
Residencies at European Partner Museums (Onsite, Europe)
22 June – 26 June 2026 (Arrival 21 June, Departure 27 June 2026)
--> for Fellows assigned to a European Partner Museum
Residencies at African Partner Museums (Onsite, Africa)
14 September – 18 September 2026 (Arrival 13 September, Departure 19 September 2026)
--> for Fellows assigned to an African Partner Museum
Module 3 (Onsite in Kigali, Rwanda)
21 September – 26 September 2026 (Arrival 20 September, Departure 27 September 2026)
Closing Event (Online)
2 December 2026
Kick-Off Event (Online)
6 May 2026
Module 1 (Online)
7, 11, 27, 28 May and 2 June 2026
Module 2 (Onsite in Berlin)
15 June – 20 June 2026 (Arrival 14 June, Departure 21 June 2026)
Residencies at European Partner Museums (Onsite, Europe)
22 June – 26 June 2026 (Arrival 21 June, Departure 27 June 2026)
--> for Fellows assigned to a European Partner Museum
Residencies at African Partner Museums (Onsite, Africa)
14 September – 18 September 2026 (Arrival 13 September, Departure 19 September 2026)
--> for Fellows assigned to an African Partner Museum
Module 3 (Onsite in Kigali, Rwanda)
21 September – 26 September 2026 (Arrival 20 September, Departure 27 September 2026)
Closing Event (Online)
2 December 2026
Value
For the onsite phases the following programme-related costs will be covered by the DAAD:
- International and national transport to arrive to and depart from programme locations (lowest possible economy class airfare and 2nd class train tickets)
- Local public transport (if applicable) during Module 2, Module 3 and the Residencies
- Airport transfers (Module 3 in Kigali, Residencies in Africa if applicable)
- Visa fees (for visa processes at official entities, reimbursement)
- Health insurance (reimbursement up to 40 Euros)
- Accommodation during the onsite Modules and Residency Locations
- Programme related entrance fees
- Daily allowance during the onsite Modules and Residencies (limited compensation for meals not provided in the programme)
Selection
An expert committee will review the applications and select participants in a DAAD organised selection process.
The selection criteria are:
Professional competencies and experiences
Practical experience of at least 2 years in a museum, heritage site or art space, relating to themes such as Archaeology, Architecture, Art, Cultural History, Natural Sciences and Technology and a relation to the overarching theme of the programme next year.
Commitment to the programme
High motivation to actively engage in participation formats.
A prerequisite for the selection of a candidate is the binding commitment to participate in all activities of TheMuseumsLab.
Personal skills
Engagement in peer exchange, workshops, and evaluation processes, demonstration of interpersonal and leadership skills such as creativity, resilience, self-reflection, collaborative communication, adaptability, and a drive for ethical transformational roles in museums.
Language skills
Adequate language proficiency in English (written and spoken) is essential in order to participate actively in the programme.
The selection criteria are:
Professional competencies and experiences
Practical experience of at least 2 years in a museum, heritage site or art space, relating to themes such as Archaeology, Architecture, Art, Cultural History, Natural Sciences and Technology and a relation to the overarching theme of the programme next year.
Commitment to the programme
High motivation to actively engage in participation formats.
A prerequisite for the selection of a candidate is the binding commitment to participate in all activities of TheMuseumsLab.
Personal skills
Engagement in peer exchange, workshops, and evaluation processes, demonstration of interpersonal and leadership skills such as creativity, resilience, self-reflection, collaborative communication, adaptability, and a drive for ethical transformational roles in museums.
Language skills
Adequate language proficiency in English (written and spoken) is essential in order to participate actively in the programme.
Further information
The Programme is financed by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media and the German Federal Foreign Office.
The programme is jointly organised by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MfN). Furthermore African and European cultural institutions are actively involved in the programme.
TheMuseumsLab consists of a digital programme Kick-Off, three seminar modules (online, onsite in Berlin and onsite in Africa, short residencies at African and European partner museums and a digital closing event.
Please see the document “Call for Applications” (attached under "Contact and Consulting") the overarching theme of the programme next year.
Please note: The implementation of the programme is subject to the approval of funds.
The programme is jointly organised by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MfN). Furthermore African and European cultural institutions are actively involved in the programme.
TheMuseumsLab consists of a digital programme Kick-Off, three seminar modules (online, onsite in Berlin and onsite in Africa, short residencies at African and European partner museums and a digital closing event.
Please see the document “Call for Applications” (attached under "Contact and Consulting") the overarching theme of the programme next year.
Please note: The implementation of the programme is subject to the approval of funds.
Sponsored by:
What requirements must be met?
- Currently working in the museum, culture and art sector
- Practical experience of at least 2 years in a museum, heritage site or art space, relating to themes such as Archaeology, Architecture, Art, Cultural History, Natural Sciences and Technology
- Commitment to the programme
- Sufficient English skills
- Place of residence at time of applying must be in Africa or Europe
Your application cannot be considered if you are an alumna/alumnus of TheMuseumsLab programme.
Application deadline
Applications can be submitted between 21 October and 2 December 2025 (23:59 CET).
Application documents
Documents to be uploaded to the DAAD portal:
- DAAD standard online application form, to be downloaded from the DAAD portal, completed and uploaded again
(Read notes on applying in the portal >>)
- Application Form TheMuseumsLab (mandatory, in English); by uploading it to your application, please select the attachement type "Progamme specific application form"
- CV (mandatory, in English)
- Letter of Recommendation (mandatory, in English)
- Degree Certificates (in English if available)
- Information about former or current work projects (in English)
- Language certificates (in English if available)
Information and advisory centres
Government Liaison Office Berlin
DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
German Academic Exchange Service
im WissenschaftsForum Berlin am Gendarmenmarkt
Markgrafenstraße 37
10117 Berlin
For further questions please contact mlab.berlin@daad.de
DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
German Academic Exchange Service
im WissenschaftsForum Berlin am Gendarmenmarkt
Markgrafenstraße 37
10117 Berlin
For further questions please contact mlab.berlin@daad.de
More detailed information
Please check the attached documents for further information:
- Call for Applications
- Application Form TheMuseumsLab
- Partner Museums Network
General information on the application via DAAD portal
Access to the DAAD portal is usually opened at least 6 weeks before the application deadline.
You can access the DAAD portal by clicking "Application portal" at the end of the page. Here you will find an online application form in which you can enter your application data.
This is what you have to do:
1. Register in the DAAD portal (Read notes about registering in the portal >>)
2. Applying online in the DAAD portal (Read notes on applying in the portal >>)
Please note:
If you have any technical questions or problems your local information and advice centres could not help you with, please do not hesitate to contact portal@daad.de via e-mail.
You can also call the technical portal hotline on weekdays from 9-12 and 14-16 (CET/CEST) on +49 (0) 228 882-8888.
Please consider possible processing times of your request when you are planning your application.
You can access the DAAD portal by clicking "Application portal" at the end of the page. Here you will find an online application form in which you can enter your application data.
This is what you have to do:
1. Register in the DAAD portal (Read notes about registering in the portal >>)
2. Applying online in the DAAD portal (Read notes on applying in the portal >>)
- Download and complete the DAAD standard online application form (different document than the MLab application form)
- Prepare the other application documents (MLab application form, CV, Letter of Recommendation and, if you want, additional documents that would support your application)
- If necessary, translate documents (unless they are already in German or English).
- Scan paper documents and save in PDF format. Please note that you can only upload PDF files to the portal.
- Upload the completed application form and the required appendices (except work samples) to the portal in PDF format. Translations, if applicable, should be uploaded together with the document issued in the original language.
- Submit the uploaded application documents online.
Please note:
If you have any technical questions or problems your local information and advice centres could not help you with, please do not hesitate to contact portal@daad.de via e-mail.
You can also call the technical portal hotline on weekdays from 9-12 and 14-16 (CET/CEST) on +49 (0) 228 882-8888.
Please consider possible processing times of your request when you are planning your application.
