Scholarship programme “Museum Curators for Photography”

The scholarship programme is expected to be offered again in autumn 2026.

The Krupp Foundation launched the “Museum Curators for Photography” (Museumskurator*innen für Fotografie) scholarship programme in 1999. Every two years, three scholarship recipients receive two years of museum-specific training as well as the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the museum and scientific environment of the field of photography.

With this programme, the Krupp Foundation aims to sustainably support young curators in the field of photography and provide new impetus to the training of museum curators.

Content of the scholarship

In cooperation with the Photographic Collection at the Folkwang Museum, Essen, the Photography Collection at the Münchner Stadtmuseum (Sammlung Fotografie im Münchner Stadtmuseum), the Photo Museum Winterthur (Fotomuseum Winterthur), the Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, the Centre Georges-Pompidou, Paris, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, the Krupp Foundation is awarding three scholarships for future museum curators in the field of photography. During the course of the scholarship programme, the scholarship holders have the opportunity to receive museum-specific training for six months at each of the three museums in Germany and Switzerland, as well as at one of the three institutions abroad, and to work on at least one exhibition project or research project on photography (including a publication in the form of an essay). In addition, opportunities to get to know the museum and scientific environment of the field of photography are offered at all training locations. The programme also includes the independent organisation and implementation of a symposium/workshop on specific photographic issues.

Applicants

Applicants must have an academic degree from a university (M.A. or doctorate), preferably in an art or cultural studies subject. They should not be older than 35 years of age. If they are not a German citizen, they must have been living in the Federal Republic of Germany for at least the last three years and have obtained a university degree from a German university. Applicants should have a very good knowledge of the English and French language (level B2 or higher).

Application documents

Applications must be submitted exclusively via the online application portal of the Krupp Foundation.

In addition, the following documents are required:

fully completed online application
presentation of your special interest in the field of photography and museum work in German and English (approx. two pages)
curriculum vitae in tabular form
Master’s thesis or dissertation as well as an abstract in German and English (maximum two pages)
Publications on photography (if any)
University certificates and certificates concerning the conferment of academic degrees
Letter of recommendation from a university lecturer or academic supervisor

Application processing

The selection committee usually meets four weeks after the submission deadline. The selection procedure is confidential. Information about the reasons for the decision will not be provided. Legal claims to being awarded the scholarship are excluded.

Scope of funding

The scholarship is endowed with around EUR 58,000 and is awarded for a period of two years. The monthly scholarship amount is EUR 1,600 in Essen, EUR 1,900 in Munich and EUR 2,200 in Winterthur. The Foundation grants a subsidy for the six-month stay abroad, for travel expenses to special photographic conferences and exhibitions, as well as for relocation costs.

Contact

Dr. Ingomar Lorch

Krupp-Stiftung
Hügel 15
45133 Essen

E-mail: foerderung@krupp-stiftung.de

Phone: +49 (0)201 1884805

For questions about the online application portal and for preparing the application documents:

Angelika Hardetzki

Krupp-Stiftung
Hügel 15
45133 Essen

E-mail: foerderung@krupp-stiftung.de

Phone: +49 (0)201 1884807