Short Description
TheMuseumsLab is a unique African–European joint learning programme for emerging professionals from Museums, Heritage and Art Institutions, and Cultural Spaces. Founded in 2020, it responds to the need for a new kind of cultural collaboration, one that actively addresses the legacies of colonialism and seeks to build a shared, forward-looking cultural future between the two continents. At its core, the programme is grounded in the principle of joint learning as a powerful and innovative approach to professional development, institutional transformation, and sector-wide change. Strengthening professional capacities and creating new transcontinental career paths for museum professionals on both continents is another key part of this endeavour, providing the foundation for sustainable, long-term change.
TheMuseumsLab brings together professionals from museums, heritage spaces, cultural institutions, academia, and public leadership across Africa and Europe. United by a shared commitment to rethinking the role of museums in society, they have developed and sustained a platform dedicated to the next generation of cultural leaders. It fosters exchange, critical reflection, and co-creation across disciplinary, geographic, and institutional boundaries. The programme is based on the belief that truly equitable, connected, and dynamic cultural landscapes can only emerge when knowledge, experience, and imagination are brought into sustained and open dialogue, where perspectives are shared, questioned, and developed together. TheMuseumsLab is a space for learning and unlearning, for building partnerships rooted in mutual respect, and for imagining museums as inclusive, socially engaged institutions.
In 2026, the thematic focus of the programme is „Building Futures from Memory: Museums and Memorial Sites as Agents“.
Programme Timeline 2026:
Kick-Off Events (Online, Introduction and Evening Event) 6 May
Module 1 (Online)
7 May
11 May
27–28 May
2 June
Module 2 (On-site in Berlin, Germany)
Arrivals: 14 June
Programme: 15 to 20 June
Departures: 21 June
Residencies at European Partner Museums (On-site, Europe)
Arrivals: 21 June
Programme: 22 to 26 June
Departures: 27 June
• only for Fellows assigned to one European Partner Museum
Residencies at African Partner Museums (On-site, Africa)
Arrivals: 13 September
Programme: 14 to 18 September
Departures: 19 September
• only for Fellows assigned to one African Partner Museum
Module 3 (On-site in Kigali, Rwanda)
Arrivals: 20 September
Programme: 21 to 26 September
Departures: 27 September
Closing Event (Online)
2 December
Eligibility
African and European Museum professionals who have at least two years’ experience of working in the museum, heritage, or art sector and a relation to the overarching theme of the programme next year.
Submission Requirements
- completed standard DAAD application form (document to be found on the DAAD Portal)
• completed TheMuseumsLab application form (document to be found in the DAAD scholarship
database)
• short CV (in English, max 2 pages)
• letter of recommendation (in English)
• the documents name should contain your name, country of residence and the type of document
(e.g. Last Name_first Name_Ethiopia_CV)
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
- Three Modules (online and on-site) with multidisciplinary perspectives on current museum and heritage discourses, focusing on „Building Futures from Memory: Museums and Memorial Sites as Agents“
- Innovative formats of learning and workshops for practical skills
- One Residency in a tandem (one Fellow from Africa, one Fellow from Europe) at a renowned African or European Partner Museum
- Networking opportunities amongst Fellows and with international experts
- Certificate, issued by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Museum für Naturkunde Berlin – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science and Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
- Access to TheMuseumsLab Alumni Network
- Partial cost coverage for the on-site Modules in Berlin (Module 2), Kigali (Module 3) and the Residency at an African or European Partner Museum according to DAAD regulations and German Travel Expenses Act.
Please read carefully what is included in the cost coverage and contact us if you have further questions before submitting your application. - International and national transport to arrive to and depart from programme locations (lowest possible economy class airfare and 2nd class train tickets)
Please note: transports between the place of residence and departure/arrival airport (home address/town <-> local airport) and travels for visa processes are not included in the cost coverage - Ticket for local public transport (Module 2, Module 3 and the Residencies, if applicable)
• Airport transfers (Module 3, Residencies in Africa, if applicable)
• Reimbursement for visa fees (only necessary visa processes at official entities) and up to € 40
for travel health insurance (on-site phases, if applicable).
Please note: Valid health insurance is mandatory for all on-site phases.
• Mandatory vaccinations (for entry to countries with programme locations, if applicable)
• Accommodation during the on-site Modules and Residency locations (from official programme arrival date to official programme departure date)
Please note: All programme related travels and accommodations will be arranged and booked by the DAAD and its supporting service provider. - Programme-relevant entrance fees
• Daily allowance during the on-site Modules and Residencies (limited compensation for meals not provided in the programme)
Please note: the above-mentioned regulations state fixed amounts for daily allowances for each country/city. The allowances are newly calculated each year. The respective amounts have to be reduced according to the meals being provided in the programme.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Germany
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 2 December 2025
Website Link: https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?detail=57655437
