Grants, stipends, loans and social benefits — each one with its amount, the authority responsible, who qualifies, the first step and a link to the official source. Last checked July 2026.
This is information and orientation, not legal advice. Amounts are guide values (“up to €X”); the authority always decides. The official source is linked for every entry.
Founding & self-employment
Grants, loans and advice for starting a Gewerbe or going freelance.
voucherBW
EXI-ваучер на консультацію для заснування (BW)
EXI-Gründungsgutschein
First ~4 hours free, then a personal contribution of about €83 to about €476 instead of the full market price of consulting
- Who pays
- Steinbeis-Beratungszentren / BWHM / RKW BW / bwcon
- Who qualifies
- Officially - for people who have NOT yet founded a business, OR who run a Nebenerwerb (side business) and want to move into full self-employment; a Gewerbe already run as a Haupterwerb for a year may formally NOT qualify.
- First step
- Call the Steinbeis-Beratungszentrum Existenzgründung directly and describe the case: 'one year Gewerbe, aufstockend, want to move to full-time income' - the first 4 hours are free regardless of the outcome.
- Deadline
- ongoing
The weakest fit on the list - the 'Nebenerwerb' criterion formally does not match Haupterwerb status. But the call itself is free and quick. Context: as of 01.07.2026, Bürgergeld was officially renamed 'Grundsicherungsgeld' (SGB II reform).
official source →
stipendGermany-wide
EXIST-Women (стипендія для жінок-засновниць з науки)
EXIST-Women
stipend + mentoring/coaching for female founders (amount set by university agreement); universities receive up to €20,000 for accompanying measures
- Who pays
- Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE, formerly BMWK) via university partners
- Who qualifies
- Women in the pre-founding phase, affiliated with a university or research institution that has (or is building) a startup network with support for women.
- First step
- Check whether your university/research institution has an EXIST-Women partnership and contact its Gründungsbüro about the stipend agreement.
- Deadline
- ongoing (program extended after the 2023/2024 pilot phase)
A supplement to the EXIST-Gründerstipendium, specifically for women from academic backgrounds. The application is not submitted directly by the individual — the university/institution concludes the agreement with the recipient; start with your own university.
official source →
free serviceEU
Enterprise Europe Network — консультації та інноваційні ваучери для малого бізнесу
Enterprise Europe Network Deutschland — Beratung & Innovationsgutscheine
Free consulting; innovation vouchers €3,000-€50,000 (20-35% co-financing) depending on regional program
- Who pays
- Europäische Kommission / regional EEN partners (IHK, Handwerkskammer, Steinbeis, etc.)
- Who qualifies
- Small/medium businesses (including Gewerbe/Freiberufler) intending to enter European markets or with an innovation project
- First step
- Find the nearest EEN contact point (e.g., IHK Südlicher Oberrhein in Freiburg) and book a free consultation
- Deadline
- ongoing
The network itself is free; specific innovation vouchers depend on the regional program and budget — check with the local EEN partner.
official source →
free serviceGermany-wide
FRAUEN unternehmen — менторська мережа жінок-підприємиць-взірців
Initiative „FRAUEN unternehmen"
free of charge
- Who pays
- Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) / Prospektiv GmbH office
- Who qualifies
- Women considering self-employment — access to over 250 role-model female entrepreneurs, workshops, and events nationwide
- First step
- Browse the map of role-model female entrepreneurs and the events calendar on bundeswirtschaftsministerium.de/Redaktion/DE/Dossier/frauen-unternehmen.html, or email info@frauen-unternehmen-initiative.de
- Deadline
- ongoing, over 400 events per year
A network for mentoring and inspiration (not money) — focused on STEM and skilled trades, where women are underrepresented; a good channel for contacts and networking before applying for a grant
official source →
grantHamburg
InnoRampUp — грант для дип-тек стартапів Гамбурга
InnoRampUp
up to €150,000 per startup, funding rate up to 90% of costs
- Who pays
- IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH (subsidiary of IFB Hamburg)
- Who qualifies
- Company/founder(s) with legal or actual activity in Hamburg, company age <2 years, <50 employees, turnover/balance sheet total <€10 million, high level of technological innovation (own IP, often based on scientific research).
- First step
- Submit the application via the portal innovationsstarter.com/innorampup, including a description of the technological innovation and the business plan.
- Deadline
- ongoing (continuous application intake)
Deep-tech focus — a real technological innovation (patent/prototype) is required, not just an idea. The company must be registered in Hamburg. Competition is high due to the large grant amount.
official source →
free serviceBaden-Württemberg
Kontaktstelle Frau und Beruf Freiburg — безкоштовний коучинг з повернення на роботу та старту бізнесу
Kontaktstelle Frau und Beruf Freiburg – Südlicher Oberrhein
free of charge
- Who pays
- City of Freiburg / Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism Baden-Württemberg
- Who qualifies
- Women from Freiburg, Emmendingen, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, and the Ortenaukreis who are returning to work, changing careers, or planning to start a business
- First step
- Book a free appointment via the 'Kostenfreien Termin vereinbaren' button on frauundberuf-bw.de/kontaktstelle-frau-und-beruf-freiburg or call 0761 201-1731
- Deadline
- ongoing, monthly orientation session 'Ich gründe!?'
Regionally tied to Freiburg — exactly where Heidar lives; individual consultations are free and confidential, including on childcare topics
official source →
grantNordrhein-Westfalen
MID-Digitalisierung NRW
Mittelstand Innovativ & Digital (MID) – MID-Digitalisierung
up to €15,000, up to 50% of costs for digital products/IT security
- Who pays
- NRW.BANK / State of NRW
- Who qualifies
- Micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (EU-SME) of any sector, based in NRW, without more than €300,000 in de-minimis aid over the past 3 years
- First step
- Register for the lottery draw (Losverfahren) at nordrhein-westfalen-foerdert.nrw, then submit the full application within 28 days after selection
- Deadline
- 01.01.2026–31.12.2029, intakes via lottery draw
Unusual two-stage system: first a lottery registration, only selected applicants get access to submit a full application — don't miss the round opening
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Talentfilm — фінансування дебютних і короткометражних фільмів (Kuratorium junger deutscher Film)
Talentfilmförderung des Kuratorium junger deutscher Film
up to €25,000 (story development), up to €50,000 (project development), up to €40,000 (short film production), up to €500,000 (feature-length debut)
- Who pays
- Kuratorium junger deutscher Film (foundation, supported by all 16 federal states + BKM)
- Who qualifies
- Young directors/producers (debut or early works), creators of artistically valuable short films or children's/youth films — no mandatory tie to a single federal state, the quality of the material is what counts.
- First step
- Email info@kjdf.org or visit kuratorium-junger-film.de/talentfilm, choose the relevant webinar (e.g. 19.08.2026 ahead of the short-film deadline), and submit the application via the foundation's official form.
- Deadline
- Story development — 29.07.2026, 18:00; project development/feature film — 12.08.2026, 18:00; short film production — 23.09.2026, 18:00
A highly competitive foundation (Wenders and Tykwer started here); requires strong artistic material rather than a commercial project. No registration in a specific federal state is needed — it's a nationwide foundation. The money is a grant, not a loan.
official source →
grantEU
Women TechEU — грант ЄС для deep-tech стартапів під керівництвом жінок
Women TechEU
€75,000 non-repayable funding + mentoring and networking
- Who pays
- European Innovation Council (EIC), European Commission
- Who qualifies
- Startup registered in the EU, 6-60 months old, founded/led by a woman (CEO/CTO) holding ≥25% of shares, deep-tech sector (TRL 4-6)
- First step
- Apply for the eligibility check stage via the womentecheurope.eu portal (weekly cut-off deadlines)
- Deadline
- 2026-2028 round, weekly eligibility cut-offs, full application — 4 deadlines per year
Only for deep-tech / science-technology startups, not for service or consulting businesses; highly competitive (160 places for all of Europe)
official source →
free serviceGermany-wide
bga — безкоштовна мережа консультацій і коучингу для засновниць по всій Німеччині
bundesweite gründerinnenagentur (bga)
free of charge
- Who pays
- bga / Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
- Who qualifies
- Any woman in Germany planning or already running her own business — access to over 375 advisors, coaches, and networks
- First step
- Visit gruenderinnenagentur.de, find a nearby advisor via the database, or use the free AI trainer Kite to prepare for the bank conversation
- Deadline
- ongoing
Not a cash grant but a network of free advice — useful as a first step before applying for the Gründungszuschuss or a loan
official source →
voucherBW
Інноваційний ваучер Start-up BW (L-Bank)
Innovationsgutschein Start-up BW
Up to €20,000 for scientific/R&D services from an external partner (university, Steinbeis, etc.)
- Who pays
- L-Bank
- Who qualifies
- Founders and small companies up to 5 years old (your Gewerbe qualifies), BUT a project with a scientific R&D component via an external provider is mandatory - not simply production work.
- First step
- Write to innovationsgutschein@l-bank.de with the project idea (e.g. researching a new AI video workflow together with a university) and ask whether it qualifies.
- Deadline
- ongoing
A stretch for a pure video/AI content business without a clear R&D component - only makes sense with a concrete research element together with a scientific institution.
official source →
free serviceGermany-wide
Безкоштовна консультація з цифровізації (Mittelstand-Digital Zentren)
Mittelstand-Digital Zentren
free (€0) — consultations, workshops, AI trainers
- Who pays
- BMWE (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy), ~30 regional centers
- Who qualifies
- Any SME/self-employed person in Germany — no formal restrictions by sector or size
- First step
- Find the nearest center at mittelstand-digital.de and book a 1:1 Sprechstunde (1-2 hour consultation)
- Deadline
- ongoing
This is not a cash grant but the official successor to the discontinued go-digital program — useful BEFORE applying to Digitalbonus/MID to prepare the project properly
official source →
stipendBerlin
Берлінська стартап-стипендія
Berliner Startup-Stipendium (BSS)
up to €2,500/month per person, up to 12 months (longer in individual cases)
- Who pays
- Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) / Science & Startups
- Who qualifies
- Technology/innovative startup project based in Berlin (university, research institution, or accredited startup center as partner); the application is not submitted directly by the individual but through the partner institution.
- First step
- Find an accredited Berlin startup center/university program (e.g. Startup Incubator Berlin, HTW, TU Berlin) and submit the application for the next Förderrunde/Call through them.
- Deadline
- by competitive rounds (Calls); 2nd Call 2026 started on 01.03.2026, up to €31 million for ~680 participants
Application is NOT submitted directly to IBB — only through the partner organization/network. There is a separate women's track 'BSS Women' (at least €6.6 million allocated). Check the current application status before starting, windows open per round.
official source →
voucherGermany-wide
Ваучер на коучинг заснування бізнесу AVGS
Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein (AVGS) für Gründungscoaching, § 45 Abs. 1 S.1 Nr.4 SGB III
100% coverage of the cost of individual coaching (typically 2–8 weeks, paid directly to the AZAV-certified coach)
- Who pays
- Agentur für Arbeit / Jobcenter
- Who qualifies
- Unemployed persons/those at risk of unemployment (ALG I) or recipients of Grundsicherungsgeld preparing for self-employment; ALG I recipients have a legal entitlement to AVGS after 6 weeks of registered unemployment.
- First step
- At the appointment with the Agentur für Arbeit/Jobcenter, specifically request an AVGS under § 45 Abs. 1 S. 1 Nr. 4 SGB III (MAT) for self-employment preparation, then choose an AZAV-certified coach.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Often the first step before applying for Gründungszuschuss — a professional assessment from the AVGS coach strengthens the subsequent application. For ALG I there is a legal entitlement after 6 weeks; for Bürgergeld/Grundsicherungsgeld it is discretionary.
official source →
loanBaden-Württemberg
Виробниче фінансування кіно/серіалів (MFG Baden-Württemberg)
Produktionsförderung / Incentive Funding – MFG Filmförderung
variable; in the most recent 2026 round, €3.9 million was distributed across 20 projects (production, development, production preparation)
- Who pays
- MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg mbH
- Who qualifies
- Film/series producers with a project or production link to Baden-Württemberg (shooting, post-production or VFX in the region); a conditionally repayable loan tied to the project's success.
- First step
- Mandatory preliminary consultation with the responsible curator via film.mfg.de, then submit the application through the MFG database (production funding is digital-only).
- Deadline
- Next submission deadline — 30.06.2026 (several rounds per year, check current dates at film.mfg.de)
This is mostly a repayable-on-success loan, not a non-repayable grant — the money is repaid only if the project earns revenue. Difficult to apply directly as a solo creator without a production company.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Грант для музикантів-початківців (Initiative Musik)
Initiative Musik – Künstler:innenförderung
project grant, 2026 round: approx. €840,000 distributed among approx. 100 artists/bands
- Who pays
- Initiative Musik gGmbH (funded by BKM, GVL, GEMA)
- Who qualifies
- Solo artists and bands looking to establish themselves in the German or international music market (recording, music videos, touring, marketing)
- First step
- Apply via antrag.initiative-musik.de in the next funding round (75th round: 11.09–02.10.2026)
- Deadline
- by rounds: next round 11.09–02.10.2026 (project starts 20.11.2026)
12-member jury, high competition — a release/portfolio and a clear touring or recording plan are required
official source →
grantBayern
Диджитал-бонус Баварія
Digitalbonus Bayern
Standard: up to €7,500 (50% of costs); Plus: up to €30,000 (50% of costs for AI/digital innovations)
- Who pays
- Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie (StMWi)
- Who qualifies
- Small business (<50 employees, <€10 million turnover) with a valid place of business in Bavaria, valid ELSTER business account since May 2025.
- First step
- Set up/verify an ELSTER business account and submit the application via the official portal digitalbonus.bayern (only independently, not through intermediaries).
- Deadline
- applications accepted until 31.12.2027, monthly quotas
Not intended for startups still at the idea stage — an already registered business (Gewerbe) in Bavaria is required. The current focus has shifted toward AI/robotics. Applying through third parties is prohibited.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Допомога на обладнання для самозайнятих §16c SGB II
§ 16c SGB II – Leistungen zur Eingliederung von Selbständigen
Grant (Zuschuss) for equipment/materials up to a maximum of €5,000; loan (Darlehen) with no statutory limit; consulting/training costs paid to third parties are covered separately
- Who pays
- Jobcenter
- Who qualifies
- Current or prospective self-employed individuals receiving Grundsicherungsgeld; the business must be economically viable and remove the need for benefits within a reasonable period.
- First step
- Submit a concrete list of the required equipment/materials to the Jobcenter BEFORE purchasing, adding an IHK/HWK viability assessment if needed.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Jobcenter's discretion — often refused if Einstiegsgeld or other start-up funding was already received. Buying equipment BEFORE approval means losing the right to reimbursement. Practical details are provided by the IHK Fördermittelkompass (e.g. IHK Leipzig).
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Дотація на венчурний капітал INVEST
INVEST – Zuschuss für Wagniskapital
15% acquisition subsidy (Erwerbszuschuss) for the investor on the investment amount (minimum stake €10,000, maximum grant €100,000 per investor) + up to 25% exit subsidy on profit at sale
- Who pays
- BAFA
- Who qualifies
- Indirect support for the founder — the grant goes to a private investor (business angel) who invests in a young, innovative start-up (up to 7 years old, up to 50 employees, max. €10 million turnover).
- First step
- The company applies to BAFA for confirmation of eligibility BEFORE signing the investment agreement; in parallel the investor prepares a separate grant application.
- Deadline
- Applications for the Erwerbszuschuss are accepted until 31.12.2026 (program extended)
This is NOT direct financial support for the founder but an incentive for the private investor — useful only if a specific business angel is already in place. The company must be "innovative" (patents/R&D funding/innovation award), otherwise the application is rejected.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Дотація на заснування бізнесу Gründungszuschuss
Gründungszuschuss nach § 93 SGB III
Phase 1 (6 months): last ALG I amount + €300/month flat rate; Phase 2 (9 months, separate decision): €300/month; totaling up to approx. €20,400, tax-free and non-repayable
- Who pays
- Agentur für Arbeit
- Who qualifies
- ALG I recipients with a remaining entitlement of at least 150 days at the start of self-employment; a viability assessment from a competent body (IHK/HWK/bank) is required.
- First step
- Submit the application to the Agentur für Arbeit BEFORE registering the Gewerbe, together with a business plan and a Tragfähigkeitsbescheinigung from IHK/HWK.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Discretionary benefit even when all conditions are met — there is no guarantee. Only for ALG I (unemployment insurance), NOT for Bürgergeld/Grundsicherungsgeld — for those, Einstiegsgeld § 16b applies instead. Phase 2 is not automatic; active business activity must be demonstrated.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Енергоконсультація для малого бізнесу (BAFA EBM)
Bundesförderung für Energieberatung im Mittelstand (BAFA)
up to €1,200 (80% of costs, if energy costs up to €10,000/year) or up to €8,000 (60%, if above €10,000/year)
- Who pays
- BAFA (Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control)
- Who qualifies
- SME (small/medium-sized enterprise per EU definition) registered in Germany, requires an accredited energy consultant
- First step
- Obtain a cost estimate from an accredited BAFA energy consultant, submit the application via the BAFA online system BEFORE the consultation starts
- Deadline
- ongoing
Counts as de-minimis state aid (3-year limit); the application MUST be submitted before the consultation begins, otherwise it will be rejected
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Заміна опалення/тепла на відновлювані джерела для бізнесу (EEW Modul 2)
Bundesförderung für Energie- und Ressourceneffizienz in der Wirtschaft (EEW) – Modul 2: Prozesswärme aus Erneuerbaren Energien
40–60% of investment costs depending on company size (small companies — up to 60%)
- Who pays
- BAFA / Förderzentrale Deutschland (FZD)
- Who qualifies
- Business/freelancer with a production process switching to heat pumps, solar collectors, geothermal energy or biomass for process heat
- First step
- Submit the application via the new Förderzentrale Deutschland (FZD) before signing an equipment contract
- Deadline
- ongoing (via FZD since 15.09.2025)
Only relevant if the business has its own production/technical process requiring heat — not for pure service/office freelancers
official source →
free serviceBaden-Württemberg
Картка волонтера Баден-Вюртемберг (знижки на культуру й дозвілля)
Ehrenamtskarte Baden-Württemberg
not a cash payment — discounts/free admission to museums, swimming pools, theaters, cinemas, etc.
- Who pays
- Ministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit und Integration Baden-Württemberg + municipalities
- Who qualifies
- At least 1 year of volunteering, ≥200 hours in the last 12 months (or 100 hours for a project) at a nonprofit organization; available in Freiburg and other districts since 2025
- First step
- Apply via your district's/city's website (Freiburg — via the city portal), with proof of hours from the organization
- Deadline
- ongoing, phased rollout since summer 2025
Not available statewide across the board — check whether your specific district is already connected; for volunteers with a Juleica or in rescue services, the conditions are automatically considered met
official source →
loanGermany-wide
Кредит на заснування/наступництво з гарантією
ERP-Förderkredit Gründung und Nachfolge (077)
No fixed upper limit stated in the general description; term of 10 years (2 grace years) or 15 years (5 grace years); 100% guarantee via the Bürgschaftsbank, of which 80% is covered by a federal guarantee
- Who pays
- KfW / Bürgschaftsbank of the federal state
- Who qualifies
- Founders/successors who are turned down by a regular bank due to lack of collateral or equity; for investments, business acquisitions, or working capital.
- First step
- Contact the Bürgschaftsbank of your federal state together with a partner bank willing to grant a loan under this guarantee.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Replaced the ERP-Kapital für Gründung program (058), which closed on 01.01.2023; in effect since 01.11.2024. A more complex product — requires both a partner bank and the Bürgschaftsbank; not for a micro-startup from scratch, rather for projects with a real capital plan.
official source →
grantNiedersachsen / Bremen
Культурно-господарське фінансування короткого метру (nordmedia)
Kulturwirtschaftliche Film- und Medienförderung – Kurzfilm – nordmedia
up to €40,000 for short films (up to 30 minutes running time)
- Who pays
- nordmedia GmbH (Film- und Mediengesellschaft Niedersachsen/Bremen)
- Who qualifies
- Short-film creators (up to 30 min.) with a connection to Lower Saxony or Bremen (residence, production, or company base).
- First step
- Book the mandatory online consultation via nordmedia.de/pages/foerderung (a consultation code is required 14 days before the deadline), then submit via their online portal.
- Deadline
- The committee meets 3 times a year, current guidelines run until 31.12.2026 — check exact dates in the Einreichtermine section on the website
A festival screening counts as a theatrical release — more flexible than some other states. Regional ties are mandatory, so this only fits with a partner or base in Lower Saxony or Bremen.
official source →
free serviceBW
Мережа IQ Baden-Württemberg - безкоштовний консалтинг для мігрантів
IQ Netzwerk Baden-Württemberg
Free of charge
- Who pays
- ikubiz (network coordinator), funded by BMAS/ESF+
- Who qualifies
- Free consultation for people with a migration background regarding qualification recognition and support for an already-founded business.
- First step
- Find the regional IQ contact point for Freiburg/Südbaden at netzwerk-iq-bw.de and schedule a consultation.
- Deadline
- ongoing, program runs 2026-2028
Not direct funding, but guidance - they can point to funding programs accessible specifically via migration status. A cheap first step, not a standalone solution.
official source →
grantNordrhein-Westfalen
Мистецький фонд Північного Рейну-Вестфалії — програма AUFTAKT для початківців
Kunststiftung NRW – Förderprogramm AUFTAKT
individual, depending on the project (production, publication, research grants)
- Who pays
- Kunststiftung NRW
- Who qualifies
- Emerging artists and independent project spaces based in NRW (not suitable if the main place of activity is Freiburg/Baden-Württemberg).
- First step
- Check the current deadline and apply via the application portal at kunststiftungnrw.de.
- Deadline
- Various deadlines depending on the funding area — check the website
NOT geographically suitable for Heidar (he's in Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, not NRW) — included for reference in case plans change or it becomes relevant for a partner/client from NRW.
official source →
stipendBaden-Württemberg
Мистецький фонд землі Баден-Вюртемберг — стипендії для художників
Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg – Stipendien
€6,000 – €12,000
- Who pays
- Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg gGmbH
- Who qualifies
- Artists (visual arts, music, literature, performing arts) with primary residence/workplace in Baden-Württemberg, who completed their training no more than 10 years ago.
- First step
- Follow the announcement on kunststiftung.de (next cycle: applications for the 2027 scholarship open from July 2026) and apply by October.
- Deadline
- Applications for 2027 open from July 2026, deadline usually mid-October
Most relevant regionally (Freiburg = Baden-Württemberg), BUT geared toward classical artistic disciplines, not business/marketing content; better suited to the soul project All We Art than to primary income. Maximum of 3 application attempts per person.
official source →
stipendBaden-Württemberg
Молоді інноватори — стипендія для заснування бізнесу з вузів BW
Junge Innovatoren – Existenzgründungen aus Hochschulen und Forschungseinrichtungen
half-time TV-L13 position for 1-2 (exceptionally 3) years + up to €20,000 for materials/investments + up to €5,000 for coaching
- Who pays
- Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg (via VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik)
- Who qualifies
- Graduates or research staff of universities/research institutions in Baden-Württemberg (no more than 5 years after graduation/leaving), innovative product or business model idea.
- First step
- Contact your university's Gründungsbüro/Startup Center in BW (e.g. HdM Stuttgart, Reutlingen University) to apply for the next deadline.
- Deadline
- several competitive rounds per year; last known deadline 05.05.2026
Not a cash grant — it is a half-time employment position at the university plus a materials budget. Not for already registered companies (funds the preparation BEFORE founding, not ongoing business operations).
official source →
grantNordrhein-Westfalen
Нова програма підтримки молодих кінематографістів (Film- und Medienstiftung NRW)
Nachwuchsprogramm der Film- und Medienstiftung NRW
total annual programme budget ≈ €1.5 million for debut and first films (individual amounts set by the jury)
- Who pays
- Film- und Medienstiftung NRW
- Who qualifies
- Students at film/TV academies in NRW or debutants/emerging talents from other institutions with residence/base in North Rhine-Westphalia.
- First step
- Submit the application without a fixed deadline (rolling) via filmstiftung.de — the five-member jury decides within 3 weeks.
- Deadline
- ongoing (no fixed deadlines, fast decision within 3 weeks)
The fastest and simplest process on the whole list — no queuing for deadline rounds. The main requirement is an actual residence/base in NRW; suitable if Heidar or a project partner relocates or has a production base there.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Німецький кінофонд (DFFF)
Deutscher Filmförderfonds (DFFF I & II)
up to €5 million (DFFF I) / up to €25 million (DFFF II) — 30% of eligible German production costs
- Who pays
- FFA Filmförderungsanstalt / Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (BKM)
- Who qualifies
- Producers of film or series (co-)productions shot wholly or partly in Germany; requires prior experience and project financing already in place.
- First step
- Book the mandatory consultation with the FFA via the FFA service portal before submitting an application (registration open from 22 July 2026).
- Deadline
- ongoing (no deadlines, but no later than 6 weeks before filming starts)
Not for first-time producers without a budget — the fund covers part of an already financed production, not seed capital. From 2026 the budget was doubled to €250 million together with the GMPF.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Німецький фонд кіно й серіалів (GMPF)
German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF)
up to €5 million (film) / up to €20 million per season (series) — 30% of eligible German production costs
- Who pays
- FFA Filmförderungsanstalt / BKM
- Who qualifies
- Producers of high-end series and non-theatrical films with an office in Germany and a reference production from the past 5-7 years.
- First step
- Complete the mandatory consultation with the FFA's GMPF team, then submit the application no later than 6 weeks before filming starts.
- Deadline
- ongoing (no deadlines)
Requires at least 40 points across the criteria (cultural content, creative team, production) — not suitable for a first project without references.
official source →
free serviceBW
Оріентаційна консультація MFG для креативної індустрії
Orientierungsberatungen für Kultur- und Kreativschaffende (MFG Baden-Württemberg)
Free of charge, individual session
- Who pays
- MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg
- Who qualifies
- For founders, freelancers, and small companies in the creative industry (film, design, media, games, etc.) in Baden-Württemberg, with no restriction on business age.
- First step
- Register online for the next session (23.07 or later dates, online format also available) via the registration form on mfg.de.
- Deadline
- ongoing, monthly sessions through December 2026
Not a grant, but an entry point - the advisor points to concrete funding programs and networks matching the profile. The fastest and cheapest first step on the list.
official source →
grantваріюється — діє приблизно у 10 федеральних землях (напр. Berlin, Brandenburg, Thüringen, Baden-Württemberg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
Премія для майстрів-засновників (земельні програми)
Meistergründungsprämie (Landesprogramm, напр. Berlin/Brandenburg/Thüringen)
€2,500–25,000 depending on the state: e.g. Berlin up to €25,000, Brandenburg up to €12,000 (+€5,000 for a new job created), Thuringia €5,000 base amount +€2,500 for a new job created
- Who pays
- State (Land) (via IHK/HWK, state development banks)
- Who qualifies
- Individuals who have passed the Meisterprüfung (master craftsman exam) and are founding, taking over, or becoming a co-owner of a business (typically at least 25–30% stake).
- First step
- Check the website of the relevant Handwerkskammer (chamber of crafts) to see whether a Meistergründungsprämie exists, and submit the application within the required deadline after founding (usually 6–12 months).
- Deadline
- Valid until 31.12.2026 in most states
An example of a state-program category — amounts and conditions DIFFER by state and must be checked individually. Relevant only to holders of a Meisterbrief; present it in the quiz as "check your state" rather than as a uniform amount.
official source →
grantmunicipal
Проєктне фінансування фільмів Kulturamt Freiburg
Kulturamt Freiburg - Projektförderung, Sparte Film
Annual budget for the Film category ≈€41,000 for all projects citywide; the amount per project is determined individually by the jury
- Who pays
- City of Freiburg, Kulturamt
- Who qualifies
- Independent film/video projects (development, production, post-production) with their center of activity in Freiburg; commercial advertising, commissioned TV work, and student projects are excluded.
- First step
- Schedule an online consultation with Ann-Kathrin Harr (ann-kathrin.harr@freiburg.de, 0761 201-2104) before applying.
- Deadline
- 1 November annually (for projects in the following year) - some categories have a separate 1 May deadline, confirm directly for Film
The project must be artistic/non-commercial with a mandatory public presentation in Freiburg - client AI video commissions do NOT qualify; a separate 'authorial' project is needed (e.g. a documentary).
official source →
grantBayern
Розробка сценарію/трітмента (FFF Bayern, Stoffentwicklung)
Stoffentwicklungsförderung – FFF Bayern
up to €30,000 (fiction films/series), up to €20,000 (documentaries), up to €10,000 (treatment only)
- Who pays
- FFF Bayern (Filmförderfonds Bayern)
- Who qualifies
- Writers with finished material or adaptation rights + a letter of intent from a Bavarian producer willing to realize the project; for documentaries, a convincing concept treatment.
- First step
- Contact curator Dr. Silvia Tiedtke (silvia.tiedtke@fff-bayern.de, +49 89 544602-18) BEFORE applying, then submit the application via the online portal fff-bayern.de before the deadline.
- Deadline
- Upcoming deadlines: 01.–15.06.2026 (committee 29.07), 07.–21.09.2026 (committee 11.11)
Prior contact with the curator is mandatory — without it, the application may not be considered. A Bavarian production partner is required for fiction films; pure screenwriting without a producer is more difficult.
official source →
benefitGermany-wide
Соцстрахування митців (Künstlersozialkasse)
Künstlersozialkasse (KSK)
The KSK covers approx. 50% of self-employed artists' pension/health/long-term-care insurance contributions — as the "employer" share
- Who pays
- Künstlersozialkasse (BAS)
- Who qualifies
- Self-employed artists and publicists (photographers, designers, video makers, musicians, writers) who earn a living professionally and continuously from their creative work; income guideline from approx. €3,900/year.
- First step
- Submit the Fragebogen zur Feststellung der Versicherungspflicht at kuenstlersozialkasse.de and attach proof of creative activity (portfolio, invoices, contracts).
- Deadline
- ongoing
A huge saving for video/creative freelancers — the state pays the "employer" half of the contributions. The predominantly creative nature of the work must be proven.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Стартова допомога Einstiegsgeld §16b SGB II
Einstiegsgeld nach § 16b SGB II
Determined individually by the case manager, benchmark approx. 50% of the Regelbedarf (single person approx. €281.50/month) plus supplements for family situation/duration of unemployment; maximum 24 months
- Who pays
- Jobcenter
- Who qualifies
- Recipients of Grundsicherungsgeld (formerly Bürgergeld) starting self-employment with at least 15 hours/week who have not previously run a business as their main occupation; realistic prospects of exiting benefits are required.
- First step
- Book a consultation with the Jobcenter case manager BEFORE registering the Gewerbe, and bring a business plan plus a 3-year financial forecast.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Discretionary benefit (Ermessensleistung) — no legal entitlement; the decision rests entirely with the case manager. The amount is not fixed by law. Since 01.07.2026, Bürgergeld has been renamed Grundsicherungsgeld; § 16b remains in force and is explicitly excluded from the new reform's "fast employment priority".
official source →
loanBW
Стартове фінансування 80 (L-Bank)
Startfinanzierung 80
Up to €200,000 per founder (up to €800,000 per company), first 12 months interest-free
- Who pays
- L-Bank via the Hausbank + 80% guarantee from Bürgschaftsbank BW
- Who qualifies
- Founders, Freiberufler, young companies in their first 5 years of operation - your ~1-year-old Gewerbe qualifies.
- First step
- Submit a request through your Hausbank, referencing the L-Bank Startfinanzierung 80 product.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Functionally overlaps with KfW StartGeld (choose one depending on which bank is willing to submit the application) - also a LOAN with repayment, not a grant. Requires a partner bank willing to file the application.
official source →
grantBaden-Württemberg
Стартовий капітал для інноваційних стартапів (BW)
Start-up BW Pre-Seed
typically €160,000 from the state + up to €160,000 from a co-investor (together up to €320,000, in exceptional cases up to €640,000)
- Who pays
- Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Tourismus BW / L-Bank
- Who qualifies
- Founders of an innovative startup at a very early stage (not yet backed by institutional investors), requiring a private co-investor and a clear connection to Baden-Württemberg.
- First step
- Contact one of the official Start-up BW Pre-Seed partners (list on startupbw.de) — they guide the entire process together with L-Bank.
- Deadline
- ongoing (selection in rounds throughout the year)
This is not a grant given freely — you must prove the idea's innovative strength and find a co-investor willing to invest alongside the state. Since 2018, over 250 startups have been funded. Realistic for tech/product startups, not for a classic agency or freelance work.
official source →
loanGermany-wide
Стартовий кредит KfW ERP-Gründerkredit StartGeld
ERP-Gründerkredit – StartGeld (067)
Up to €200,000 (of which up to €80,000 for working capital), interest rate from approx. 3.49% p.a., 1–2 years without principal repayment; no equity required, the partner bank is released from 80% of the risk
- Who pays
- KfW via the Hausbank (home bank)
- Who qualifies
- Founders, freelancers, small businesses (up to 50 employees) within 5 years of founding, including part-time/side businesses; application is made through the bank, not directly with KfW.
- First step
- Approach your own bank/savings bank (Hausbank) with a business plan and ask them to apply for the KfW loan 067 ERP-Gründerkredit-StartGeld.
- Deadline
- ongoing
This is a loan (Darlehen), not a grant — repayable with interest. Since 01.12.2025 the cap was raised from €125,000 to €200,000. The main hurdle is finding a Hausbank willing to submit the application. With top-up Grundsicherung, low income can make bank approval harder — check the effect on income offsetting with the Jobcenter first. The regional equivalent in Baden-Württemberg is L-Bank Startfinanzierung 80.
official source →
stipendGermany-wide
Стипендія Фонду мистецтв (Stiftung Kunstfonds) для художників
Stiftung Kunstfonds – KUNSTFONDS_Stipendium
€18,000 over 6 months (paid monthly)
- Who pays
- Stiftung Kunstfonds Bonn
- Who qualifies
- Professional artists/artist duos working full-time and independently, with primary residence in Germany; not for students or employees (except mini-job holders).
- First step
- Watch for the next call for applications at kunstfonds.de (next deadline usually mid-January) and apply via bewerbung.kunstfonds.de.
- Deadline
- Deadline 15.01.2026 has passed, next cycle January 2027
More suited to classic visual artists (painting/sculpture/photography), not marketing video content. No repeat funding possible for 15 years after receiving a scholarship from this foundation.
official source →
stipendNordrhein-Westfalen
Стипендія для заснування бізнесу NRW
Gründungsstipendium.NRW
€1,200/month (€1,500/month for gender-mixed teams), up to 12 months + bonus of up to €3,600 per person for mixed teams
- Who pays
- State of NRW / regional accredited Gründungsnetzwerke (IHK, universities, development agencies)
- Who qualifies
- Innovative business idea, willingness to pitch it before a jury of an accredited Gründungsnetzwerk in NRW.
- First step
- Choose the nearest accredited Gründungsnetzwerk (e.g. via IHK Bonn/Rhein-Sieg or IHK Siegen) and register for a jury pitch.
- Deadline
- applications under the current regulation until 30.09.2026, approval by 31.12.2026
NOTE: Jury sessions have been suspended since 01.04.2026 due to high demand (application backlog); currently only previously submitted applications are being processed. Check the current resumption status before applying.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Стипендія на заснування бізнесу з науки EXIST
EXIST-Gründungsstipendium
Personal stipend €1,000-3,000/month (+€150 per child) for up to 12 months; + up to €30,000 for team material costs; + up to €5,000 for coaching/consulting
- Who pays
- BMWE (via the university's Gründungsservice)
- Who qualifies
- Students (from the midpoint of their studies), graduates (degree no older than 5 years), or researchers at a German university with an innovative, technology- or knowledge-based project; teams of up to 3 people.
- First step
- Contact the Gründungsservice/Transferstelle of your German university — only they can submit the EXIST application on behalf of the founder(s).
- Deadline
- ongoing
NOT suited to a typical Jobcenter client — requires an active affiliation with a German university (student/graduate/researcher) and an innovative idea. Application only through the university, not independently; useful for migrants with an academic background in Germany.
official source →
stipendstate
Стипендії для митців (землі + Stiftung Kunstfonds)
Arbeitsstipendien der Länder / Stiftung Kunstfonds
Work grants usually €1,000–2,500/month over several months, or one-off project sums; amounts vary by state
- Who pays
- State (Länder) Kulturministerien / Stiftung Kunstfonds
- Who qualifies
- Professional artists (visual art, film, music, literature) whose main activity is based in the respective state; competitive selection based on portfolio.
- First step
- Check your state's Kulturministerium scholarship programme (for Baden-Württemberg: Kunststiftung BW) as well as the nationwide Stiftung Kunstfonds; submit a portfolio by the deadline.
- Deadline
- depends on the state/fund — mostly annual deadlines
A general pointer, not a single programme — amounts and deadlines differ by state. "Check your state's foundation plus Stiftung Kunstfonds." Selection is competitive.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Федеральна субсидія на бізнес-консалтинг (BAFA)
Förderung von Unternehmensberatungen für KMU (BAFA)
50% (western states) up to 80% (eastern states + Berlin) of consulting costs, maximum €3,000–3,500 per consultation depending on the business phase
- Who pays
- BAFA
- Who qualifies
- Small and medium-sized entrepreneurs/freelancers — both newly founded (first 2 years) and established (from year 3 onward); maximum 5 consultations during the validity of the directive, no more than 2 per year.
- First step
- Choose a consultant from the BAFA list and submit the application via the BAFA online portal — BEFORE signing the contract and starting the consultation.
- Deadline
- Directive valid until 31.12.2026
Current official name: "Förderung von Unternehmensberatungen für KMU" (formerly "unternehmerisches Know-how"). The money goes to the consultant, not to your own account. CRITICAL: the application + Informationsschreiben MUST be submitted BEFORE the consultation starts, otherwise it will be rejected. Since 11/2025, the subsidy is calculated on the gross amount (incl. VAT) — advantageous for Kleinunternehmer under § 19.
official source →
loanBerlin / Brandenburg
Фінансування серіалів і нових медіа (Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg)
Förderung Serien / New-Media-Förderung – Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg
exact amounts are not publicly disclosed; mostly a conditionally repayable, interest-free loan, though grants are possible for graduation/short film projects
- Who pays
- Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH
- Who qualifies
- Producers, game developers and distributors based in Berlin/Brandenburg — from startups and graduates to established companies; series (fiction, factual, entertainment) and innovative audiovisual content.
- First step
- Read the relevant Merkblatt (information sheet) at medienboard.de/en/funding/series and contact curator Christian Gerster or Antonia Schürmann before applying.
- Deadline
- 21.07.2026 — series formats (fiction/entertainment/factual); 20.10.2026 — high-end series
The nearest deadline (21.07.2026) is very tight — realistically aim for 20.10.2026. A company/base in Berlin or Brandenburg is required; difficult for a solo freelancer without a production structure to apply directly.
official source →
grantSachsen
Цифровізація для малого бізнесу Саксонії (SAB/EFRE)
Förderrichtlinie Digitalisierung Zuschuss EFRE 2021–2027
up to €10,000 (micro-enterprises, up to 60%) or up to €60,000/€100,000 (small/medium enterprises, up to 50%/35%)
- Who pays
- Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB)
- Who qualifies
- Micro, small or medium-sized enterprise, or freelancer in a regulated profession, based in Saxony, minimum €5,000 project costs
- First step
- Submit an application via the SAB förderportal BEFORE the project starts, and wait for the confirmation letter before beginning work
- Deadline
- ongoing (program runs until 2027)
Starting the project BEFORE receiving application confirmation forfeits the funding entitlement; +10% for tariff-based pay; maximum project duration is 12 months
official source →
Education, study & training
Stipends, Bildungsgutschein, retraining and support while you study.
stipendGermany-wide
DAFI — стипендія UNHCR на вищу освіту для біженців
DAFI-Stipendium (Deutsche Akademische Flüchtlingsinitiative Albert Einstein)
full coverage: tuition fees + living costs, health insurance, travel, books
- Who pays
- UNHCR Germany (funded by the Auswärtiges Amt)
- Who qualifies
- People with recognised refugee/protection status who want to start or continue university studies in the host country.
- First step
- Contact UNHCR Germany or UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe for the current application procedure in your region.
- Deadline
- annual intake, deadlines announced in autumn/spring — inquire directly
The largest and oldest scholarship programme for refugees worldwide. A strong option for holders of protection status intending to study, but requires current refugee status (not just §24).
official source →
stipendGermany-wide
Deutschlandstipendium — національна стипендія для успішних студентів
Deutschlandstipendium
€300/month (independent of family income, not counted as income for BAföG)
- Who pays
- Federal Ministry of Education and Research + private sponsors (via the university)
- Who qualifies
- Students at any German university with strong academic performance, civic engagement, or special life circumstances (e.g. migration, overcoming hardship). Application is through the individual university, not centralized.
- First step
- Check the student affairs website of the specific university ("Deutschlandstipendium" + university name) and submit the online form + motivation letter + CV + transcript by their deadline (usually autumn/spring).
- Deadline
- depends on the university, usually 1-2 times a year
The €300/month isn't counted as income for BAföG — a favorable combination. Deadlines and procedures differ by university, so this isn't a universal application but a check specific to each institution.
official source →
grantEU
ESF Plus Baden-Württemberg — субсидія на курси підвищення кваліфікації (Fachkursförderung / Bildungsscheck BW)
ESF Plus Förderprogramm Fachkurse (Baden-Württemberg)
30-70% of course costs, up to €6,000 excl. VAT per course
- Who pays
- L-Bank / Land Baden-Württemberg (ESF Plus)
- Who qualifies
- Employed people, self-employed/freelancers, and business founders with a place of work/residence in Baden-Württemberg (including Freiburg)
- First step
- Find an accredited course provider in the ESF-BW ELAN portal and book the course with automatic subsidy deduction from the invoice
- Deadline
- ongoing, new rates from 01.09.2026 (flat rate 45%)
The course must last 8-160 teaching hours and be completed within 6 months. The application is submitted by the course provider itself — no separate application needed. Especially relevant for Freiburg/BW, less known outside the region.
official source →
grantEU
Erasmus+ — закордонне стажування у сфері професійної освіти
Erasmus+ Berufsbildung: Mobilität (Auslandspraktika)
Coverage of travel, accommodation, and pocket-money costs during the internship
- Who pays
- Europäische Kommission / NA beim BIBB
- Who qualifies
- Vocational trainees/students as well as graduates (up to 12 months after completion) via an accredited institution
- First step
- Check availability via the meinauslandspraktikum.de portal or contact a Berufsschule/IHK partner with Erasmus+ accreditation
- Deadline
- ongoing, institutions apply per annual NA-BIBB calendar
The easiest entry point is the meinauslandspraktikum.de portal, which connects individual internship seekers with accredited organizations.
official source →
grantEU
Erasmus+ — мобільність для дорослих учнів (навчання/стажування за кордоном)
Erasmus+ Erwachsenenbildung: Mobilität für Lernende
Coverage of travel, accommodation, and course costs (amount depends on country and duration)
- Who pays
- Europäische Kommission / NA beim BIBB
- Who qualifies
- Adult learners via an adult-education provider (VHS, language schools, etc.); priority given to participants from Ukraine
- First step
- Contact the local Volkshochschule or adult-education institution and ask about participating in an Erasmus+ mobility project
- Deadline
- Organizations apply per NA-BIBB calendar, next call in 2026
Individual applications are not possible — a hosting organization is required. Course search can start via VHS Freiburg or similar institutions.
official source →
stipendGermany-wide
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung — стипендія для студентів і докторантів
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung – Studienförderung
up to €992/month (BAföG level) + €300/month Studienkostenpauschale, up to €1,350/month for doctoral candidates
- Who pays
- Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
- Who qualifies
- Students with proof of enrollment, above-average grades, and civic/political engagement (not necessarily party-affiliated); first-generation students and those with migration experience are explicitly welcomed.
- First step
- Submit an online application at fes.de/studienfoerderung/bewerbung with a CV, motivation letter, and proof of enrollment; international students need German at C1 level.
- Deadline
- ongoing (twice a year, deadlines on the website)
Explicitly states it welcomes first-generation students and people with migration experience — a good fit. C1 German is required for foreigners, which is currently a limit for Heidar (B2) — more relevant for a child/partner with a higher language level.
official source →
stipendGermany-wide
Hans-Böckler-Stiftung — стипендія для студентів (профспілковий фонд)
Hans-Böckler-Stiftung – Stipendium für Studierende
up to €992/month (BAföG level) + €300/month Studienkostenpauschale
- Who pays
- Hans-Böckler-Stiftung (DGB)
- Who qualifies
- Students who are fundamentally eligible for BAföG, with at least 3 semesters of study remaining, up to age 45 at the start, ideally with union or civic engagement.
- First step
- Submit an online application via boeckler.de (form + motivation letter about civic engagement); deadlines are updated twice a year.
- Deadline
- ongoing (check the current application window on the website)
A DGB trade-union-affiliated fund — an advantage if there's already some union or civic activity. A genuinely substantial amount at BAföG level, worth applying for a student in the family.
official source →
grantRP
QualiScheck Рейнланд-Пфальц
QualiScheck Rheinland-Pfalz
up to €1,500 per year (60% of course costs)
- Who pays
- Ministerium für Arbeit, Soziales, Transformation und Digitalisierung RLP / ESF Plus
- Who qualifies
- Employed individuals with primary residence or workplace in Rhineland-Palatinate, no income limit
- First step
- Submit the application via the EurekaRLP Plus system at least 1 month before the training starts
- Deadline
- ongoing
No income limit — unlike the NRW version. The application must be submitted BEFORE the course starts, one month in advance.
official source →
stipendHessen
SABA — стипендія на здобуття шкільного атестата для дорослих мігрантів/біженців (Рейн-Майн, жінки — по всій Німеччині онлайн)
SABA-Bildungsstipendium (Crespo Foundation)
coverage of school and transport costs + budget for tutoring, materials, childcare
- Who pays
- Crespo Foundation together with beramí e.V.
- Who qualifies
- Adults with migration/refugee background who want to complete a school-leaving certificate (second chance education); women can apply remotely from anywhere in Germany.
- First step
- Contact the program coordinator: for women (nationwide) — Sarah Schreiner, schreiner@berami.de.
- Deadline
- ongoing, confirm directly with beramí e.V.
Up to 3 years of support, including childcare — relevant if no one in the family has yet completed a German school certificate. For men, the program is tied to the Rhein-Main region (Frankfurt).
official source →
stipendGermany-wide
START-стипендія для школярів з міграційним досвідом
START – Das Schülerstipendienprogramm für Jugendliche mit Migrationsgeschichte
≈€3,500 total over 3 years + courses/coaching
- Who pays
- START-Stiftung gGmbH
- Who qualifies
- Students aged 14–20 with a migration background (themselves or at least one parent), good school performance, motivation; family income is taken into account.
- First step
- Register at start-campus.de from 01.02.2026 and submit the online application by 17.03.2026 (last 2 report cards, a recommendation, copy of passport/residence permit, proof of family income).
- Deadline
- 2026-03-17
Relevant if there's a teenager aged 14–20 in Heidar's family attending school in Germany. A 3-year mentoring programme, not a one-time payout — a commitment, but a real and strong asset for the child.
official source →
stipendGermany-wide
Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft (SDW) — стипендія для студентів з підприємницьким духом
Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft – Studienförderwerk Klaus Murmann
up to €855/month (needs-based) + €300/month Studienkostenpauschale + bonuses for insurance/children
- Who pays
- Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft (sdw)
- Who qualifies
- Full-time students with at least 4 semesters of study remaining (bachelor's + master's combined); international students are accepted if they meet the BAföG §8 criteria.
- First step
- Submit an online application via the sdw.org portal (from a computer, not a phone) — after preselection, a structured interview of about 75 minutes follows.
- Deadline
- ongoing (several application rounds per year)
Geared toward an entrepreneurial/leadership profile — fits well with Heidar's positioning (founder/PM). If the scholarship doesn't fit him as a participant in the McKinsey program (McKinsey Forward isn't an academic program), keep it in mind for a child/partner or a future course of study.
official source →
stipendGermany-wide
Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes — стипендія для обдарованих студентів (самозаявка)
Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes – Selbstbewerbung mit Auswahltest
up to €300/month (Studienkostenpauschale) + up to €855/month depending on family income
- Who pays
- Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes
- Who qualifies
- Students in the 1st–2nd semester of a bachelor's degree at a German university; grades don't matter for self-application — the cognitive test and motivation essay count. Citizenship not required.
- First step
- Submit the self-application online at studienstiftung.de by 12.02.2026, after first attending the free Zoom info day (27.01 or 02.02.2026).
- Deadline
- by 2026-02-12
Germany's most prestigious scholarship, highly competitive (cognitive test + selection seminar in summer 2026). Relevant if a family member is in their 1st–2nd semester of studies. Not about money now — a long-term asset for a child/partner.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
БАфьог (студентська стипендія)
BAföG (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz)
Up to a maximum of €992/month (2026, including housing and health insurance supplement); for universities — 50% grant / 50% interest-free loan
- Who pays
- Amt für Ausbildungsförderung (Studentenwerk)
- Who qualifies
- Students at universities/schools; non-EU citizens require a specific residence status (e.g. Niederlassungserlaubnis or certain §§ 23–25 AufenthG after a defined period of residence).
- First step
- Apply through the Amt für Ausbildungsförderung of your Studentenwerk or online via BAföG-Digital.
- Deadline
- ongoing
No rate increase in 2026 — the next adjustment is planned for the 2027 summer semester. For migrants, eligibility depends on the type and duration of the residence permit (§ 8 BAföG) — check individually.
official source →
grantHB
Бонус за кваліфікацію Бремен
Qualifizierungsbonus Bremen
€200 for each month of training participation started
- Who pays
- Senator for Labour, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration Bremen / Arbeitnehmerkammer Bremen
- Who qualifies
- Low-skilled workers undertaking training via a Bildungsgutschein, residing or working in Bremen
- First step
- Contact the Arbeitnehmerkammer Bremen or the Agentur für Arbeit to arrange the Bildungsgutschein plus the bonus
- Deadline
- Program launched July 1, 2026
Brand-new program (since 01.07.2026), still little known. Combined with the federal Bildungsgutschein, not with separate employer funds.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Бонусна програма лікарняної каси
Bonusprogramm der Krankenkasse (§ 65a SGB V)
Cash bonuses/reimbursements for prevention and a healthy lifestyle — from a few dozen to several hundred € per year, depending on the insurer
- Who pays
- Gesetzliche Krankenkasse (statutory health insurer)
- Who qualifies
- Everyone with statutory health insurance; the bonus is awarded for participating in prevention, sport, and check-ups (via a bonus app/booklet).
- First step
- Activate the bonus programme in your Krankenkasse's app/customer portal and collect points for health-promoting activities.
- Deadline
- ongoing
The amount and form of the bonus vary widely between insurers (cash, vouchers, discount). A small but easy-to-claim benefit. Check the terms of your specific insurer.
official source →
benefitGermany-wide
Виплата на час перекваліфікації через структурні зміни
Qualifizierungsgeld (Qualifizierungschancengesetz)
60% (67% with children) of the last net salary during the training + funding of the course itself for the company (25–100% depending on company size, +5% with a collective agreement)
- Who pays
- Agentur für Arbeit (application filed by the employer)
- Who qualifies
- Job at risk due to digitalization/AI/decarbonization; the application is filed by the EMPLOYER, not by the employee.
- First step
- Discuss with the employer/HR — the company must file the application with the Agentur für Arbeit at least 3 months before the course starts.
- Deadline
- ongoing
The employee does not file the application themselves — it depends on the employer's willingness. Useful as an argument in conversation with HR, not as a standalone application.
official source →
grantHH
Гамбурзький бонус на підвищення кваліфікації PLUS
Hamburger Weiterbildungsbonus PLUS
up to €750 (standard, 40-50%), up to €1,000 for craft businesses, up to 90% for creative coaching
- Who pays
- Zwei P GmbH (on behalf of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg / ESF)
- Who qualifies
- Employees working ≥15 hrs/week at companies with up to 249 employees, OR self-employed individuals residing or based in Hamburg
- First step
- Submit the application via the Zwei P online portal before the course starts (minimum 8 hours of instruction required)
- Deadline
- ongoing
One bonus per calendar year. Formal educational qualifications, apprenticeships, and general language courses are excluded.
official source →
stipendGermany-wide
Гарантійний фонд для вишу (стипендія на підготовку до навчання/вступу)
Garantiefonds Hochschule (Otto Benecke Stiftung)
~€830/month scholarship, up to 30 months of support (language courses, university preparation)
- Who pays
- Otto Benecke Stiftung e.V. (implements the programme on behalf of the Bundesministerium für Familie)
- Who qualifies
- Young migrants/refugees/late repatriates who want to obtain university admission, prepare for enrolment, or continue an interrupted course of study in Germany.
- First step
- Book a consultation at the nearest OBS branch (Bonn/Köln/Berlin) via the contact form on obs-ev.de.
- Deadline
- ongoing (intake and consultations year-round, specific cohorts depend on region)
Best suited if the goal is to obtain a German degree or diploma recognition — covers language preparation and a scholarship during studies. Ask directly for details; the website does not show the full amount online.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Дотація на визнання іноземного диплома
Anerkennungszuschuss
Up to €600 for the recognition/assessment procedure of the qualification + up to €3,000 for accompanying qualification measures (translations, adaptation courses, exams, travel/accommodation costs)
- Who pays
- Bundesministerium für Bildung / f-bb via the IQ network
- Who qualifies
- Qualification obtained abroad, main residence in Germany, annual gross income ≤€32,000 (single) / ≤€50,000 (couples).
- First step
- Contact an advisory center of the „Integration durch Qualifizierung“ (IQ) network BEFORE submitting the recognition application.
- Deadline
- Applications accepted until 30.06.2027, payments until 30.09.2028
The application MUST be submitted before the recognition procedure begins — costs already incurred are not reimbursed retroactively.
official source →
free serviceGermany-wide
Мережа IQ — безкоштовна консультація з визнання іноземного диплома/кваліфікації
Netzwerk IQ – Fachstelle Anerkennung und Qualifizierung
free consultation (not a grant, but saves hundreds of euros on diploma recognition)
- Who pays
- Netzwerk Integration durch Qualifizierung (BMAS + ESF Plus)
- Who qualifies
- Anyone with foreign education/qualifications who wants to get their diploma recognized in Germany for work or business.
- First step
- Find the regional contact point on netzwerk-iq.de (by Bundesland) and book a free consultation.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Not direct money, but for PM/production roles a recognized diploma strengthens the CV and opens doors to regulated professions. Free, worth doing once.
official source →
free serviceGermany-wide
Оплата профілактичних курсів здоров'я
Präventionskurse (§ 20 SGB V)
The Krankenkasse reimburses approx. 75–100% of the cost of 2 certified courses per year (movement, nutrition, stress, smoking cessation)
- Who pays
- Gesetzliche Krankenkasse (statutory health insurer)
- Who qualifies
- Everyone with statutory health insurance; the course must be certified under § 20 SGB V (ZPP-approved).
- First step
- Choose a certified course (marked "ZPP-geprüft" or from your Krankenkasse's own catalogue), complete it, and submit the receipt for reimbursement.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Reimbursement terms (share, number of courses, maximum amount) vary by Krankenkasse — check with your own insurer. Many insurers have their own online course catalogues.
official source →
free serviceBaden-Württemberg
Освітня відпустка (приклад: Баден-Вюртемберг)
Bildungszeit (BW) / Bildungsurlaub (інші землі)
5 paid working days per year in addition to regular leave (BW); in other federal states from 0 days (Bavaria, Saxony — no law) up to 10 days over 2 years
- Who pays
- Employer (entitlement regulated by state law)
- Who qualifies
- Employees (full-/part-time, usually from 6 months of employment) are entitled to paid days for recognized education/further training measures.
- First step
- Submit a written request to the employer at least 9 weeks before the course starts (BW rule).
- Deadline
- ongoing
STATE LAW — depends on the Bundesland; in BW (Freiburg) 5 days/year apply. Unused days expire; accumulation of up to 10 days is not provided for in BW.
official source →
voucherGermany-wide
Освітній ваучер
Bildungsgutschein (§ 81 SGB III)
Up to 100% of the cost of an AZAV-certified course (training, exams, materials, travel, childcare during the course) + Weiterbildungsgeld €150/month for courses with a certificate + bonuses of €1,000 (interim exam) and €1,500 (final exam)
- Who pays
- Agentur für Arbeit / Jobcenter
- Who qualifies
- Unemployed persons or those threatened by unemployment within 3 months; the course must take place with an AZAV-certified provider. Since 2025, Jobcenter clients also apply through the Agentur für Arbeit.
- First step
- Book a consultation appointment at the Agentur für Arbeit / Jobcenter and request a check of eligibility for a Bildungsgutschein.
- Deadline
- ongoing
This is a discretionary benefit (Ermessensleistung) — there is no automatic entitlement, the decision lies with the caseworker. The issued voucher is usually valid for 3 months.
official source →
grantNW
Освітній чек NRW 2.0
Bildungsscheck 2.0 NRW
up to €500 (50% of course costs)
- Who pays
- State of NRW / ESF, via the Bezirksregierungen (including Arnsberg)
- Who qualifies
- Resident in NRW, taxable annual income ≤ €50,000 (≤ €100,000 for couples), one application per calendar year
- First step
- Register the chosen course on the NRW ESF portal at least 1 day before it starts (the course must not have begun yet)
- Deadline
- ongoing (new program since 1 February 2026)
The application must be submitted BEFORE the course starts, otherwise it will be rejected. After the course, upload the certificate, invoice, and tax assessment (no older than 2 years).
official source →
grantBaden-Württemberg
Премія за здачу іспиту на майстра (BW)
Meisterprämie Baden-Württemberg
€1,500 one-time
- Who pays
- Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Handwerk und Tourismus BW / Handwerkskammern
- Who qualifies
- Passed Meisterprüfung (Annex A or B1 of the Handwerksordnung) after January 1, 2020, primary residence or employment in BW at the time of the exam result.
- First step
- Contact your regional Handwerkskammer (for Freiburg: hwk-freiburg.de) for the application form right after receiving your exam result.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Only for skilled trades (Handwerk) with a completed Meisterprüfung — not applicable to standard management/marketing profiles. Payment is made not directly by the state but by the responsible Handwerkskammer at the place of residence/work.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Стипендія на перший вищий диплом для фахівців з досвідом
Aufstiegsstipendium (SBB)
€992/month + €80 for books in full-time study; €3,045/year for part-time/concurrent study; +€160/month per child up to age 14
- Who pays
- Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB)
- Who qualifies
- Professionals with completed vocational training (Ausbildung) and work experience who want to pursue a first university degree; a selection process/recommendation is required.
- First step
- Submit the application at sbb-stipendien.de by the next application deadline.
- Deadline
- Applications accepted annually until June 1
The funding is a flat rate (Pauschale), independent of income. A good bridge for migrant professionals with vocational training who want to pursue higher education.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Стипендія на підвищення кваліфікації (майстер/технік)
Aufstiegs-BAföG (AFBG, "Meister-BAföG")
Up to €15,000 for the course: 50% non-repayable grant + 50% low-interest KfW loan; full maintenance allowance for single applicants €1,019/month — fully as a grant; €150/month per child up to age 14 (regardless of income)
- Who pays
- Amt für Ausbildungsförderung + KfW (loan portion)
- Who qualifies
- For those preparing for a master craftsman/technician/specialist-level qualification beyond initial vocational training; not dependent on age or citizenship, residence status is decisive.
- First step
- Submit an application at the local Amt für Ausbildungsförderung or online via aufstiegs-bafoeg.de.
- Deadline
- ongoing
The maintenance allowance (Unterhaltsbeitrag) for full-time measures is a full grant, no repayment required. Up to €2,000 additional for project materials.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Стипендія на підвищення кваліфікації для молодих фахівців
Weiterbildungsstipendium (SBB)
Up to €9,135 over 3 years (maximum €3,045 per calendar year) for further training costs
- Who pays
- Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB) via IHK/HWK
- Who qualifies
- Young professionals, usually up to age 24 (extension possible) with an excellent vocational exam result (87+ points/grade 1.9 or better) or a recommendation from the employer or vocational school; without a university degree.
- First step
- Obtain a recommendation from the employer, vocational school, or IHK/HWK and submit the application at sbb-stipendien.de.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Not available for those who already hold a university degree. A good option for young people with a completed Ausbildung in Germany.
official source →
Family & children
Payments for parents, for children and for single parents.
free servicemunicipal
Caritas Freiburg — допомога у фінансовій скруті
Caritasverband Freiburg-Stadt e.V. — Finanzielle Notlage / Caritassozialdienst mit Schuldnerberatung
free counseling + access to church/episcopal emergency-aid funds (Bischöflicher Fonds — up to approx. 1,500 families/mothers per year in the archdiocese); amounts individual
- Who pays
- Caritasverband Freiburg-Stadt e.V.
- Who qualifies
- Residents of Freiburg and the surrounding region with financial difficulties, debts, risk of losing housing, or family/child needs.
- First step
- Book an appointment with the Caritassozialdienst in Freiburg (phone/online form) — the counselor assesses the situation and, if needed, applies to the church emergency-aid fund.
- Deadline
- ongoing
The most local and physically fastest channel for Heidar (Freiburg). The website does not publish exact amounts or criteria — everything is decided individually in the consultation, so the key is to show up and ask directly.
official source →
free serviceGermany-wide
Chancenstiftung — освітні патрони (безкоштовний репетитор) для дітей
Die Chancenstiftung – Bildungspaten für Deutschland
free: individual tutoring 2x/week over one year (no monetary equivalent, it is a service)
- Who pays
- Die Chancenstiftung (Frankfurt am Main)
- Who qualifies
- School children/teenagers whose parents have low income and can prove it with a document (Bürgergeld-Bescheid, ALG, Wohngeld, BAföG, etc.).
- First step
- Email info@chancenstiftung.de or use the contact form on chancenstiftung.de to request the application form for scholarship holders (Für Stipendiat*innen), and attach a motivation letter + proof of income.
- Deadline
- ongoing (applications accepted year-round)
This is not direct money for the family, but free support for the child at school — it removes tutoring costs and psychological pressure from the parents. A good addition if there is a struggling school-age child in the family.
official source →
benefitGermany-wide
Аванс аліментів для одиноких батьків
Unterhaltsvorschuss (UhVorschG)
Approximately ~€230/month (children 0–5), ~€300 (6–11), ~€395 (12–17) — based on the current year's Mindestunterhalt, minus Kindergeld
- Who pays
- Jugendamt / Unterhaltsvorschusskasse
- Who qualifies
- Single parents whose child's other parent pays no (or insufficient) child support; the child is under 18 and lives in Germany.
- First step
- Submit an application to the local Jugendamt (Unterhaltsvorschusskasse); an online form is often available on the city's/state's website.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Paid until age 18; from age 12 additional conditions apply regarding the child's/parents' income. The amount is reduced by the full Kindergeld.
official source →
benefitBY
Баварські сімейні гроші (Familiengeld)
Bayerisches Familiengeld
from €250/month per child, from the 13th to the 36th month of the child's life
- Who pays
- ZBFS – Zentrum Bayern Familie und Soziales
- Who qualifies
- Residence in Bavaria, child born before December 31, 2024, child aged 13-36 months
- First step
- If you already received Elterngeld, no separate application is needed; otherwise, submit an online application at zbfs.bayern.de no earlier than 3 months before payments begin
- Deadline
- ongoing
Applies only to children born before the end of 2024 — for younger children the program was replaced at the federal level; not to be confused with Elterngeld/Kindergeld
official source →
benefitGermany-wide
Батьківська допомога (Basis/Plus)
Elterngeld (Basiselterngeld / ElterngeldPlus)
Basis: €300–1,800/month (65% of net income before birth); Plus: €150–900/month over twice the period
- Who pays
- Elterngeldstelle (administered at state/district level)
- Who qualifies
- Parents with a child, generally up to 14 months of age (with shared allocation of the payment periods); income limit €175,000/year per couple (since April 2025).
- First step
- Apply online via ElterngeldDigital or familienportal.de after the child's birth.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Amounts remain unchanged in 2026. The minimum of €300/month is paid even without prior income (students, unemployed) — important for newcomers without work history in Germany.
official source →
benefitGermany-wide
Дитяча надбавка (додатково до Kindergeld)
Kinderzuschlag
up to €297/month per child (2026), including a Sofortzuschlag of €25/month
- Who pays
- Familienkasse (Agentur für Arbeit)
- Who qualifies
- Parents with a minimum gross income of €900 (couples) / €600 (single parents), where Kinderzuschlag + Kindergeld + possible Wohngeld cover the family's needs so that Bürgergeld/Grundsicherung is not required.
- First step
- Apply online via the Familienkasse website (Kinderzuschlag section, online application).
- Deadline
- ongoing
Often overlooked by families near the income threshold — more favorable than Bürgergeld/Grundsicherung, since the asset assessment is less strict and there are no cooperation-related sanctions.
official source →
benefitGermany-wide
Дитячі гроші (базова допомога)
Kindergeld
€259/month per child (from January 2026, +€4 over the previous rate)
- Who pays
- Familienkasse
- Who qualifies
- Parents/guardians of children generally up to age 18 (up to age 25 while in education/job-seeking); the base payment is not income-dependent.
- First step
- Apply online or via app with the Familienkasse; often done together with registering the child's birth.
- Deadline
- ongoing
For migrants, entitlement depends on the parents' residence status — check individually if recently arrived.
official source →
benefitGermany-wide
Допомога по вагітності та пологах
Mutterschaftsgeld / Mutterschaftsleistungen
Up to €13/day from the Krankenkasse during the protection period (6 weeks before + 8 weeks after birth) + employer top-up up to net salary level; for uninsured persons, a one-time payment of up to €210 from BAS
- Who pays
- Krankenkasse (+ employer top-up) / Bundesamt für Soziale Sicherung
- Who qualifies
- Pregnant employees who have statutory health insurance; applies during Mutterschutz (protection periods before and after birth).
- First step
- Ask your doctor/midwife for a certificate of the expected due date and submit it to your Krankenkasse; inform your employer about the top-up.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Can be combined with Elterngeld afterward. For privately insured/uninsured persons, there is a separate route via the Bundesamt für Soziale Sicherung (one-time payment).
official source →
free servicemunicipal
Звільнення/зниження плати за дитсадок
Beitragsbefreiung/-ermäßigung KiTa (§ 90 SGB VIII)
Full or partial coverage of daycare fees for low-income families; in many states, the last year of Kita is free for everyone
- Who pays
- Jugendamt / municipality
- Who qualifies
- Families for whom daycare fees are unaffordable (low income, social benefits); criteria and amounts depend on the state/municipality.
- First step
- Contact the Jugendamt or the daycare administration and apply for Beitragsbefreiung under § 90 SGB VIII, attaching proof of income.
- Deadline
- ongoing
The legal basis is federal (§ 90 SGB VIII), but specific amounts/thresholds are set at the state and municipal level; for social benefit recipients, often a full exemption. "Check with your own municipality."
official source →
voucherBW
Земельний сімейний пропуск (Landesfamilienpass)
Landesfamilienpass Baden-Württemberg
free or discounted admission to 140+ venues (theme parks, swimming pools, castles) for the entire year 2026
- Who pays
- Sozialministerium Baden-Württemberg / local municipality
- Who qualifies
- Families with 3+ dependent children OR with 1 child under special circumstances (Bürgergeld, child with a disability, Kinderzuschlag) and residence in Baden-Württemberg
- First step
- Visit the Jugendamt/Bürgeramt of your municipality in BW with proof of income/status and receive the pass + voucher card 2026
- Deadline
- ongoing
Only valid for residents of Baden-Württemberg; each municipality issues it separately — bring proof of income
official source →
grantBaden-Württemberg
Земельний фонд Баден-Вюртемберга «Сім'я в біді»
Landesstiftung „Familie in Not“ Baden-Württemberg
one-time assistance (amount individual, at the fund's discretion; interest-free loans also possible) — not guaranteed, discretionary
- Who pays
- Land Baden-Württemberg (administered via counseling services, incl. Caritas/Diakonie)
- Who qualifies
- Families, single parents, or couples with children in BW facing an emergency (illness, disability, death of a partner, unemployment, accident, loss of housing), when state support and own resources are insufficient.
- First step
- Contact a counseling service (Caritas, Diakonie, Schwangerschaftsberatung, or the city social office) in Freiburg — they submit the application to the fund; individuals do not apply directly.
- Deadline
- ongoing
This is the most relevant state fund specifically for Freiburg/BW. There is no legal entitlement to payment — the decision is discretionary (§53 AO), so it is important to clearly show that all statutory benefits (Bürgergeld, Wohngeld, etc.) have already been received/exhausted.
official source →
benefitGermany-wide
Пакет освіти та участі
Bildung und Teilhabe (BuT)
School supplies €195/year (€65 in spring + €130 in autumn); social participation (clubs/sports) €15/month; plus actual costs for outings, school trips, transport, learning support, and school lunches
- Who pays
- Jobcenter or the city/district social welfare office (depending on the primary benefit)
- Who qualifies
- Children and young people in families receiving Bürgergeld/Grundsicherung, Sozialhilfe, Wohngeld, Kinderzuschlag, or Asylbewerberleistungen.
- First step
- Apply at the Jobcenter (if the family receives Bürgergeld/Grundsicherung) or at the city/district social welfare office (if the primary benefit is Wohngeld/Kinderzuschlag/Asylbewerberleistungen).
- Deadline
- ongoing
Not paid out automatically as a single package — each component (outing, club, lunch) often requires a separate application or proof.
official source →
benefitSN
Саксонська земельна допомога на виховання (Landeserziehungsgeld)
Sächsisches Landeserziehungsgeld
up to €300/month, maximum 12 months (child's 2nd or 3rd year of life)
- Who pays
- Landkreis / Kreisfreie Stadt (Saxony)
- Who qualifies
- Main residence in Saxony, child does not attend a state-subsidized childcare facility, employment not more than 30 hrs/week
- First step
- Submit a written application to the Landratsamt/city administration at your place of residence (form available on amt24.sachsen.de), no earlier than 3 months before payments are due to start
- Deadline
- ongoing
Payment is made retroactively only for the month prior to application — do not apply late
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Федеральний фонд «Мати і дитина»
Bundesstiftung Mutter und Kind – Schutz des ungeborenen Lebens
up to a few hundred € (one-time, for baby items, maternity clothing, nursery equipment; sometimes an interest-free loan for moving/training)
- Who pays
- BMBFSFJ / Bundesstiftung Mutter und Kind (via pregnancy counseling centers)
- Who qualifies
- For pregnant women (or mothers in late pregnancy) with low income living in Germany — regardless of marital or residence status.
- First step
- Find a Schwangerschaftsberatungsstelle nearby via familienplanung.de or dajeb.de — the application is submitted there, not directly to the foundation.
- Deadline
- Application only possible before birth; afterward ongoing, once per pregnancy per year
The foundation does not accept applications itself or decide directly — everything goes through the counseling center. One application per pregnancy. Good supplementary channel if there is a pregnancy or infant in the family.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Фонд екстреної допомоги дітям Німецького дитячого фонду
Kindernothilfefonds des Deutschen Kinderhilfswerks
one-time assistance for a specific, unforeseen need (amount at the fund's discretion; examples — school fees, medical costs for the child, household appliances)
- Who pays
- Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk e.V.
- Who qualifies
- Families with children in a sudden financial crisis, when the Jobcenter/state agencies cannot help quickly enough.
- First step
- Assemble a complete package: a supporting letter from a recognized social service (e.g., Caritas/Diakonie/Jugendamt) + income statements + copy of ID, and send to kindernothilfefonds@dkhw.de.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Only complete applications are accepted — without a supporting letter from a social service, the application is not even reviewed. First it must be proven that the Jobcenter has been contacted and state support was insufficient or too slow.
official source →
Housing
Wohngeld, social-housing entitlement and help around the flat.
grantHE
Гессенські гроші на купівлю першого житла (Hessengeld)
Hessengeld
€10,000 per buyer (max. €20,000 per family) + €5,000 per child under 18, paid out in 10 equal annual instalments
- Who pays
- WIBank / State of Hesse
- Who qualifies
- First-time purchase of owner-occupied residential property in Hesse; non-repayable grant capped at the Grunderwerbsteuer paid
- First step
- Submit an online application to WIBank before or immediately after purchasing the property
- Deadline
- ongoing
The grant covers at most the amount of Grunderwerbsteuer paid; particularly beneficial for families with children
official source →
grantBE
Доплата на оренду в соціальному житлі Берліна (Mietzuschuss)
Mietzuschuss in Sozialwohnungen (IBB Berlin)
up to 50% of gross warm rent, up to €6.58/m² depending on income level, up to 24 months
- Who pays
- Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB)
- Who qualifies
- Tenants of social housing (1. Förderweg) in Berlin whose rent exceeds 30% of income; SGB II/XII recipients may also apply after the Kostensenkungsverfahren
- First step
- Send the completed application together with income and rent proof to mietzuschuss-sozibau@ibb.de or by post to IBB
- Deadline
- ongoing
Applies only to social housing (not regular private housing) in Berlin; rent increases above €0.10/m² or income changes above 5% must be reported
official source →
benefitGermany-wide
Житлова допомога
Wohngeld (Wohngeld-Plus)
Calculated individually by formula (income, rent, household size, rent-level category); the formula automatically includes a permanent Heizkostenzuschlag; 2026 rates unchanged (Nullrunde) compared with 2025
- Who pays
- Wohngeldbehörde (city/district administration)
- Who qualifies
- Low-income households ABOVE the Bürgergeld/Grundsicherung threshold; under § 12a SGB II, Wohngeld takes priority over Bürgergeld/Grundsicherung if it covers the family's needs for 3+ consecutive months.
- First step
- Check the approximate amount using the Wohngeldrechner (bmwsb.bund.de), find your Wohngeldbehörde via verwaltung.bund.de, and submit the application.
- Deadline
- ongoing
§ 12a trap: if Wohngeld (+Kinderzuschlag) does NOT cover the needs of the whole Bedarfsgemeinschaft for 3+ consecutive months, you can remain on Bürgergeld/Grundsicherung instead of being forced to switch to Wohngeld. A separate one-off "Heizkostenzuschuss" (2022 program) no longer exists as a standalone application — the Heizkostenzuschlag is now permanently and automatically included in the Wohngeld formula.
official source →
free serviceGermany-wide
Звільнення від теле-радіо збору (GEZ)
Befreiung vom Rundfunkbeitrag
Full exemption from €18.36/month; or a reduction if income exceeds the social-benefit threshold by less than €18.36
- Who pays
- ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice
- Who qualifies
- Recipients of Bürgergeld/Grundsicherung, Sozialhilfe, BAföG, Asylbewerberleistungen, and other defined social benefits; the exemption is NOT automatic.
- First step
- Download the application form at rundfunkbeitrag.de, attach a copy of the benefit decision (Bescheid), and send it to the Beitragsservice by post or online.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Retroactive exemption of up to 3 years is possible with older Bescheide. An indefinite Bescheid grants exemption for a maximum of 3 years, after which the application must be renewed.
official source →
loanGermany-wide
Кредит на перше житло для сімей (KfW 300)
Wohneigentum für Familien (WEF, KfW 300)
Low-interest loan of approx. €170,000–270,000, depending on the number of children and energy standard, at a reduced interest rate
- Who pays
- KfW via your Hausbank
- Who qualifies
- Families with at least 1 minor child buying/building their FIRST home; taxable annual income up to €90,000 (+€10,000 per additional child).
- First step
- Contact your Hausbank with the purchase/build project and ask them to submit the application for KfW Programme 300 BEFORE signing the contract.
- Deadline
- ongoing
This is a LOAN, not a grant. Only for a first home and only with a child in the household. Income and energy-standard limits are strict — for families ready to buy.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Первинне облаштування житла (одноразова допомога)
Erstausstattung für die Wohnung (§ 24 Abs. 3 SGB II)
One-off grant for furniture/household appliances/dishes when first furnishing a home; amount depends on the municipality's flat rate (Pauschale)
- Who pays
- Jobcenter
- Who qualifies
- Recipients of Grundsicherungsgeld (formerly Bürgergeld) who are furnishing a home for the first time or have lost their belongings (moving from a shelter, after a fire/divorce).
- First step
- Submit a separate application for Erstausstattung to the Jobcenter BEFORE buying anything; request a formal decision (Bescheid), since this is separate from the monthly benefit.
- Deadline
- ongoing
This is NOT a loan — it's a separate one-off grant on top of the regular benefit (§ 24 Abs. 3 SGB II). Paid out as a flat rate or in kind; purchases made before approval are not reimbursed.
official source →
loanGermany-wide
Погашення боргу за оренду (запобігання виселенню)
Übernahme von Mietschulden (§ 22 Abs. 8 SGB II)
Coverage of rent/heating debt (usually as a loan) to prevent eviction and homelessness
- Who pays
- Jobcenter / Sozialamt
- Who qualifies
- People facing eviction due to rent debt, where keeping the home is justified and homelessness would otherwise result.
- First step
- IMMEDIATELY upon receiving a Kündigung/Räumungsklage, apply to the Jobcenter/Sozialamt for Übernahme der Mietschulden; in parallel, contact the Fachstelle für Wohnungssicherung.
- Deadline
- ongoing (act immediately if eviction is threatened)
Usually a repayable loan (Darlehen), rarely a grant. Time is critical: strict deadlines apply after a Räumungsklage. For non-Bürgergeld recipients, the equivalent runs via § 36 SGB XII (Sozialamt).
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Премія на житлове заощадження (Bausparen)
Wohnungsbauprämie (WoPG)
10% on contributions to a Bausparvertrag: max. base of €700 (single)/€1,400 (couple) per year → up to €70/€140 premium annually
- Who pays
- Finanzamt via the Bausparkasse
- Who qualifies
- People aged 16 and over who save into a Bausparvertrag, with taxable income up to €35,000 (single)/€70,000 (couple).
- First step
- Take out a Bausparvertrag with a Bausparkasse and apply for the premium through the Bausparkasse every year.
- Deadline
- ongoing (apply annually)
A long-term instrument — the premium is tied to using the funds for housing purposes. Can be combined with the Arbeitnehmer-Sparzulage for vermögenswirksame Leistungen.
official source →
loanBaden-Württemberg
Пільговий кредит на власне житло (BW)
Förderung selbst genutzten Wohneigentums (Wohnungsbau BW)
up to €292,000 loan (family with 1 child), +€17,000 for each additional child, +€50,000 for an energy-efficient home
- Who pays
- L-Bank / Ministerium für Landesentwicklung und Wohnen BW
- Who qualifies
- Couples/single parents with at least 1 child in the household (or people with severe disabilities), income below the set threshold, no suitable owned housing, purchase/construction in BW.
- First step
- Check the income thresholds and submit the application online via L-Bank (l-bank.de), ideally with support from a partner bank or a housing-finance advisor.
- Deadline
- ongoing
Since January 1, 2026, the amounts have been raised to record levels (total 2025/26 budget — €1.5 billion, the state's share rose from 35% to 60%). This is a low-interest LOAN, not a grant — it must be repaid, but at a low interest rate. Suitable for families with children considering home ownership instead of renting.
official source →
loanNW
Пільговий кредит на власне житло для сімей NRW
NRW.BANK Eigentumsförderung – Wohneigentum für Familien
up to €184,000 low-interest loan (0.5% p.a.) + €24,000 bonus per child or person with a disability
- Who pays
- NRW.BANK
- Who qualifies
- Families/individuals with low to medium income (checked via the Chancenprüfer), building or first-time purchase of owner-occupied housing in NRW
- First step
- Check income limits via the online Chancenprüfer on nrwbank.de, then apply through your bank
- Deadline
- ongoing
This is a loan (not a grant) — creditworthiness is required; the family bonus of €24,000 per child significantly lowers the effective interest rate
official source →
free servicemunicipal
Свідоцтво на право соціального житла (WBS)
Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS)
Access to cheaper subsidized housing (geförderter Wohnraum) — savings on rent
- Who pays
- Wohnungsamt / municipality
- Who qualifies
- Households whose annual income does not exceed the state-specific thresholds; the WBS grants the right to rent subsidized housing.
- First step
- Apply at the local Wohnungsamt/Bürgeramt (income documentation required); once you have the WBS, look for apartments marked "WBS erforderlich".
- Deadline
- ongoing
Issued by the municipality — exact income thresholds vary by state. The WBS itself is free; the savings come from the lower rent for subsidized housing.
official source →
Culture & creative work
Stipends and project funds for art, film and media.
free serviceGermany-wide
GVL — реєстрація виконавця для отримання авторських виплат
GVL – Wahrnehmungsvertrag für ausübende Künstler:innen
variable annual payout (from broadcast and private-copying levies) — not a grant, but royalties
- Who pays
- Gesellschaft zur Verwertung von Leistungsschutzrechten (GVL)
- Who qualifies
- Anyone who performs, narrates, or otherwise appears in an audio or video production (actors, voice-over artists, musicians) as a performing artist, regardless of nationality.
- First step
- Register for free online via the Wahrnehmungsvertrag at gvl.de, uploading an ID document.
- Deadline
- ongoing (registration accepted year-round, retroactive payments up to 4 years)
Not a grant but a royalty system for performances/voice work — relevant if Heidar or someone on the team narrates or appears in video production projects (Watty, Business Encyclopedia). Registration is free and doesn't require proof of activity at the time of sign-up.
official source →
benefitEU
Європейський корпус солідарності — оплачуваний волонтерський досвід у Європі
Europäisches Solidaritätskorps (ESK) — Freiwilligendienst
Coverage of travel, accommodation, meals, and insurance + pocket money (amount per host-country rates)
- Who pays
- Europäische Kommission / JUGEND für Europa
- Who qualifies
- Young people aged 18-30, including newcomers/refugees and people with disabilities
- First step
- Register on the European Solidarity Corps portal and look for a hosting project organization via jugendfuereuropa.de
- Deadline
- Next project application deadline expected February 2027, individual project entry ongoing
Strict age limit of 18-30 years. Duration 2 weeks to 12 months; a good option for younger family members of the applicant.
official source →
stipendGermany-wide
Волонтерський культурний рік (FSJ Kultur / BFD Kultur)
Freiwilligendienste Kultur und Bildung (FSJ Kultur / BFD Kultur)
Taschengeld (allowance) up to €676/month (average ~€400) + social insurance, sometimes accommodation
- Who pays
- BKJ (Bundesvereinigung Kulturelle Kinder- und Jugendbildung) via the state LKJ organizations
- Who qualifies
- Young people and adults (age limits depend on state/provider), 6-12 months of service at a theater, museum, library or cultural center
- First step
- Choose a placement location on the map at anmelden.freiwilligendienste-kultur-bildung.de/karte and apply online
- Deadline
- applications for the September 1 start are accepted from February; open spots are available year-round
The Taschengeld is not taxed and not counted against Bürgergeld the same way a salary would be — check the interaction with the Jobcenter before starting
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Грант на виробництво короткометражного фільму (федеральний, FFA)
Jurybasierte kulturelle Produktionsförderung Kurzfilm (FFA)
up to €40,000 per project (a minimum own contribution of 5% is required)
- Who pays
- Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA)
- Who qualifies
- Producers of short films (up to 30 min.) resident/based in Germany (or in the EU/EEA with a German branch), the film must have a "significant German cultural character" (language or a core team with a German connection).
- First step
- Register on the FFA portal (portal.ffa.de) and assemble a package: script, budget, financing plan, team composition — all in German.
- Deadline
- Standard track — applications due 25.08.2026 (jury 4–5.11), children's short films — due 01.09.2026 (jury 9–10.11)
Realistic for anyone already doing video production who is willing to make an auteur short film (not an ad or social-media content) with a clear cultural component. All correspondence and the application are in German — consultation with a native speaker or a document translator will be needed.
official source →
grantmunicipal
Ельбкультурфонд Гамбурга — для вільної творчої сцени
Elbkulturfonds – Behörde für Kultur und Medien Hamburg
Fund total ~€500,000 per year for all projects; funding per individual project is decided case by case
- Who pays
- Behörde für Kultur und Medien Hamburg
- Who qualifies
- Independent solo artists and creative groups from various genres (music, visual art, performance, etc.) working in Hamburg
- First step
- Go to elbkulturfonds.hamburg, check the current application round and submit the project application via the online form.
- Deadline
- annual application rounds, specific dates are updated on the website — check the current call
Very competitive (only a few projects are selected per round, just 6 in 2026). There is a separate funding line for Freie Darstellende Künste (theatre/dance) running in parallel — check there if your profile is stage-based.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Загальне проєктне фінансування Федерального фонду культури
Allgemeine Projektförderung der Kulturstiftung des Bundes
from €50,000 per project (minimum application threshold)
- Who pays
- Kulturstiftung des Bundes
- Who qualifies
- Only for established organizations/collectives (not for individual beginners), the project must have international scope or federal significance, at least 20% own/third-party funding is required.
- First step
- Complete the online Förder-Check at kulturstiftung-des-bundes.de to verify the project meets the criteria before applying.
- Deadline
- 31.07.2026 and 31.01.2027, by 12:00 CET
Not suitable for solo freelancers or a starting project — requires a legal organization and a serious budget (min. €50k). Relevant later, once a partner structure exists (e.g. via the Business Encyclopedia as a media project), not now.
official source →
grantGermany-wide
Культура зміцнює — освітні альянси (Kultur macht stark)
Kultur macht stark. Bündnisse für Bildung
project-based funding (amount depends on the project, program totals up to €50 million/year across all alliances)
- Who pays
- BMBFSFJ (Federal Ministry for Education, Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth)
- Who qualifies
- Not for private individuals directly — requires a local "alliance" (min. 3 partners: cultural institution + school/youth center + social partner) that submits a project for children/teens aged 3-18 with limited access to education
- First step
- Find a local partner (library, music school, youth center in Freiburg) and jointly submit a project application via kumasta3.buendnisse-fuer-bildung.de
- Deadline
- phase 2023-2027, deadlines per the calendar (Terminkalender) on the website
The money goes not directly to the family but to the organizing alliance — so it's valuable if the child already attends some club/art school: you can ask them to apply for a funded cultural project
official source →
grantmunicipal
Культурна проєктна підтримка Штутгарта (Kulturamt)
Projektförderung – Abteilung Kulturförderung, Kulturamt Stuttgart
up to €5,000 for the "kleinere Projektförderung" (small project support, no fixed deadlines); larger amounts via separate programmes
- Who pays
- Kulturamt der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart
- Who qualifies
- Artists, cultural associations and institutions with their main activity in Stuttgart; covers visual art, dance/theatre, film/media, music, socio-culture, culture in public space
- First step
- Go to stuttgart.de/kultur/kulturfoerderung/foerdermoeglichkeiten, choose the "kleinere Projektförderung" (up to €5,000, no deadline) or the relevant programme, and submit the application at least 8 weeks before the project starts.
- Deadline
- ongoing for small projects (up to €5,000); individual programmes (e.g. cultural education) have a deadline of 15.05
The easiest entry point among the six cities — the "kleinere Projektförderung" up to €5,000 can be applied for at any time, not tied to a competition window. Main condition: submit the application at least 8 weeks before the project starts.
official source →
benefitGermany-wide
Пакет освіти й участі — спорт і культура для дітей
Bildung und Teilhabe – Leistungen für Sport, Kultur und Freizeit
up to €15/month per child (sports club membership, music lessons, courses, camps)
- Who pays
- Jobcenter / Bundesagentur für Arbeit (administered via the municipality)
- Who qualifies
- Family receives Bürgergeld, Kinderzuschlag or Wohngeld; child/young person up to 25 years old attends kindergarten, school or vocational training without a scholarship
- First step
- Submit proof of the child's participation in a club/sports club to the Jobcenter — form "Bildung und Teilhabe" — together with the Bürgergeld application (or separately)
- Deadline
- ongoing (can be submitted year-round together with the main application)
Little known outside the main Bürgergeld package — you must bring proof from the club/school yourself, it is not granted automatically
official source →
grantmunicipal
Проєктна культурна підтримка Кельна (Kulturamt)
Projektförderung des Kulturamtes der Stadt Köln
individual per project, no publicly fixed upper limit
- Who pays
- Kulturamt der Stadt Köln
- Who qualifies
- Professional artists, creative groups, independent institutions and initiatives with a public cultural offering for Cologne residents; amateur projects are NOT funded
- First step
- Go to stadt-koeln.de/leben-in-koeln/kultur/kulturfoerderung, find the relevant department (4 disciplinary areas) and submit the application before the deadline.
- Deadline
- fixed deadlines twice a year: 30.06 (for the 1st half of the following year) and 31.12 (for the 2nd half)
Strict: professional level only, not for hobby projects. Deadlines are fixed six months in advance — plan ahead, missing one means waiting for the next round.
official source →
grantmunicipal
Проєктна культурна підтримка Мюнхена (Kulturreferat)
Projektförderung im Kulturbereich – Kulturreferat der Landeshauptstadt München
Amount is individual per project, no exact upper limit published — depends on budget and field
- Who pays
- Kulturreferat der Landeshauptstadt München
- Who qualifies
- Individuals, groups, initiatives or associations implementing an innovative cultural project relevant to the Munich city community
- First step
- Go to stadt.muenchen.de/infos/projektfoerderung-kultur.html, choose the relevant department (visual art / Stadtteilkultur / cultural education, etc.) and write to antrag-kunstfoerderung@muenchen.de.
- Deadline
- different deadlines depending on the sub-programme — clarify by phone at 089 233-24382
A very fragmented system — dozens of sub-programmes with different criteria and deadlines; best to call the info line directly to avoid getting lost on the website.
official source →
grantmunicipal
Проєктне фінансування культури Берліна (Senatsverwaltung für Kultur)
Projektförderung der Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt
Amount not fixed — depends on the project; there is a separate Hauptstadtkulturfonds for large projects (applications due 01.10 annually)
- Who pays
- Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt Berlin
- Who qualifies
- For artists/creatives and collectives living or working in Berlin; the project must take place in Berlin, be non-commercial, in fields such as visual art, theatre, music, literature, media art, etc.
- First step
- Go to berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung, choose the relevant programme (art field) and apply online via fms.verwalt-berlin.de/egokuef.
- Deadline
- depends on the programme; for the Hauptstadtkulturfonds 2026 — deadline 01.10 at 14:00
This is an umbrella for many sub-programmes — you need to find your own field (not a universal grant). The money goes only to non-commercial projects without profit intent — if you have a Gewerbe and a commercial project, this doesn't fit directly; look for a separate business line.
official source →
free serviceBaden-Württemberg
Спорт для переселенців — безкоштовне членство в клубах (Freiburg/Südbaden)
Sport mit Geflüchteten – Badischer Sportbund Freiburg
the club receives €10/person/month in start-up funding — participants often get free or reduced membership and gear
- Who pays
- Badischer Sportbund Freiburg (part of the DOSB program "Integration durch Sport")
- Who qualifies
- People with a migration/refugee background in the Südbaden/Freiburg region who want to join a sports club (swimming, football, etc.)
- First step
- Contact the BSB Freiburg coordinators (Benjamin Sutter / Elena Grüner, +49 761 15246-29) or choose a Stützpunktverein nearby
- Deadline
- ongoing
Over 5,000 people have already been integrated through this network of clubs in Südbaden — a good local option specifically for the Freiburg region, where Heidar lives
official source →
stipendGermany-wide
Стипендія VFF для студентів кіношкіл
VFF Nachwuchsförderung (Stipendien)
€600/month, usually for 1-2 semesters
- Who pays
- VFF Verwertungsgesellschaft der Film- und Fernsehproduzenten mbH
- Who qualifies
- Students at German film schools in producing/media economics who remain enrolled for the entire funding period (studying abroad is not supported).
- First step
- Compile everything into one PDF: CV with photo, filmography, transcript of grades, a letter of recommendation from a lecturer (sent directly by the institution), and email it to stipendien@vff.org.
- Deadline
- deadlines 31 Jan (for October-September) and 30 Aug (for April-March)
There is no legal entitlement — the decision is made by an advisory board. BAföG recipients must declare the scholarship; it is taxable and can affect BAföG payments.
official source →