Program objective
The Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Scholarship is a post-graduate scholarship awarded for outstanding artistic achievements. Every two years, three to five scholarships are awarded to visual artists who work exclusively or predominantly as freelancers. The scholarship initially runs for one year; it can be extended for a further year. At the end of the funding period, there is a joint group exhibition of the last two years at the Kunsthalle Düsseldorf as well as a catalog production.
Program description
The scholarship was founded in 1975 by the artist Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, who donated his private assets to the foundation of the same name. Since its inception, the Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Scholarship has cooperated with the Studienstiftung, which is responsible for its conception and implementation. Since 2007, the Marianne Ingenwerth Foundation in the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft has also been a cooperation partner and supports the scholarship financially.
There are no conditions regarding the place of residence or the work project.
Scholarship benefits
- Monthly grant of EUR 1,200 over a period of up to two years
- Joint group exhibition of the last two years at the Düsseldorf Kunsthalle
- Production of a catalog at the end of the funding period
- Admission to the Studienstiftung, opportunity to participate in the educational events
Application requirements
- The prerequisite for an application is German citizenship (or nationality of the country of education) or that of an EU country / EU accession country, or non-EU foreigners with a permanent residence permit (case-by-case assessment)
- Applicants must have completed the majority of their studies in Germany and have their main place of residence in Germany
- The course of study must have been completed by the time the scholarship begins at the latest (incl. master’s degree and postgraduate courses / PhD)
- The last degree must not have been obtained more than five years ago. However, a degree in art is not a prerequisite for admission to the selection procedure
- The maximum age for the proposal should not exceed 35 years if possible – individual case reviews are possible (e.g. in the event of illness, parental leave)
- Artists working exclusively in the field of applied arts / music cannot be nominated
Application process
You must be nominated for the Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Scholarship. Self-application is not possible.
Eligible for nomination are:
- Around 50 personalities from the liberal arts and art education who are invited by the Studienstiftung to submit a proposal
- The state-recognized art colleges in Germany
- The former scholarship holders of the Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Scholarship
The selection procedure is a two-stage process. Based on the documents submitted, the jury will make a pre-selection to decide which applicants will be invited to the main selection process. In the main selection, the finalists have the opportunity to present their work as part of a jury tour with an interview and presentation. The main selection is followed by the “Open House” as a public presentation of the works. The costs associated with the selection process (transportation, insurance, etc.) are borne by the applicants. A travel allowance and a daily allowance will be paid.
Application period
The scholarship is awarded every two years. The winners of the 2024/2025 selection process are Vincent Haynes, Jeanna Kolesova, Mizi Lee, Amin Motalebzadeh and Tino Zimmermann. As soon as the date of the next nomination phase has been set, it will be communicated on this page.
Contact us
Management
Dr. Julia Apitzsch-Haack
Berlin office
Phone: +49 30 20370 441
Email: apitzsch(at)studienstiftung(dot)de
Program coordination
Anna Teckentrup
Berlin office
Phone: +49 30 20370 526
E-mail: teckentrup(at)studienstiftung(dot)de
Application deadline: not specified, application possible every two years