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TheMuseumsLab • DAAD

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” (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 2025

Duration of the funding

Programme activities will take place from 8 May to 26 November 2025.

Kick-Off Event (Online)
8 May 2025

Module 1 (Online)
13 – 15 May & 21 – 22 May 2025

Module 2 (Onsite in Berlin)
16 June – 21 June 2025

Residencies at European Partner Museums (Onsite, Europe)
23 June – 27 June 2025
-->for Fellows assigned to a European Partner Museum

Residencies at African Partner Museums (Onsite, Africa)
15 September – 19 September 2025
-->for Fellows assigned to an African Partner Museum

Module 3 (Onsite in Addis Ababa)
22 September – 27 September 2025

Closing Event (Online)
26 November 2025

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 Addis Ababa, Residencies in Africa if applicable)
Visa fees (for visa processes at official entities)
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)

Please note: All programme related travels and accommodations will also be arranged and booked by the DAAD.

Selection

An expert committee will review the application 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

Collaborative skills
Respectful communication
Creativity & Innovativeness
Self-responsibility
Ability to autonomously adapt to unfamiliar surroundings
Resilience
Ability to constructively question established structures
Ability to self-reflect
Aspiration to hold a leading position within a museum, heritage site or art space and to act as a multiplier

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 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 Addis Ababa), 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) for the overarching theme of the programme next year.

Please note: the implementation of the programme is subject to the approval of funds.

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