Organizer Information:

The Anna Polke Foundation. The foundation supports research projects that reevaluate aspects of Sigmar Polke’s oeuvre from a relevant contemporary perspective.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the 2026 Anna Polke Foundation Scholarships.

This year, the foundation particularly encourages applications for research projects thematically linked to the project Sigmar Polke: Athanor NOW (2026). The project aims to develop new perspectives on Polke’s celebrated Athanor installation in the German Pavilion at the 1986 Venice Biennale. Proposals aiming to catalogue, contextualize, and reflect on Polke’s Biennale photographs and his unconventional engagement with chemical processes are particularly encouraged.

Category:

Art History, Photography, & Contemporary Art Discourse.

Eligibility:

  • Who: Scholars in the field of art history or related disciplines.
  • Early-Career Focus: Early-career researchers (students and recent graduates) are explicitly encouraged to apply.
  • Topic Requirement: Proposals must explicitly and concretely explore Polke’s multifaceted body of work or include it as one of several artistic positions within the discourse of the chosen research question.
  • Obligation: Approved funds must be used in the year 2026. The results of the funded research project must be presented in a public format (lecture, discussion, or comparable format).

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Financial Support: Two scholarships will be awarded, each worth €5,000.
  • Flexible Use: The division of the funding amount can be flexible depending on the applicant’s qualifications, living situation, and project proposal.
  • Publication Potential: The Foundation is interested in publishing the results of selected projects.

Application Requirements:

Applications may be submitted in either German or English. Please submit the following documents digitally as a PDF file:

  1. CV.
  2. Completed application form (available via the foundation's link).
  3. Project outline (about 1,000–2,000 words).
  4. Work schedule and cost calculation (detailing the desired use of the €5,000 funds).

How to Apply?

Send your complete application as a PDF file via email to: stang@anna-polke-stiftung.com.

Key Dates:

  • Application Deadline: May 1, 2026.
  • Funding Period: Funds must be used within 2026.

Location:

International / Remote Research (Administered by the Anna Polke Foundation, Germany).

Contact Information:

Email (Sophia Stang): stang@anna-polke-stiftung.com

Website: https://sigmar-polke-athanor-now.com/en/events/stipendium-der-anna-polke-stiftung