TheMuseumsLab • DAAD

Eine Druckversion dieser Ausschreibung (PDF) steht Ihnen in den weiteren Registerkarten (z.B. „Bewerbungsvoraussetzungen“) zur Verfügung.

A print version of this announcement (PDF) is available in the further tabs (e.g. “Application requirements”).

TheMuseumsLab is a programme for joint learning, perspective exchange, networking and career building among African and European professionals. Bringing them together
to build bridges between individuals, institutions, nations and two continents for an engaged discussion on how museums can confront their past, meet the present needs of society and work towards an equitable future.

African und European Museum professionals who have at least two years experience of working in the museum, heritage, or art sector.

The participation in the complete programme of 2024

Programme activities will take place from 6 June 2024 to 10 December 2024.

Kick-Off Events (Online)
6 June

Module 1 (Online)
11 to 13 June & 18 to 19 June

Module 2 (Onsite in Berlin)
4 to 12 September

Residencies at European Partner Museums (Onsite, Europe)
12 September to 19 September
-->for Fellows assigned to a European Partner Museum

Residencies at African Partner Museums (Onsite, Africa)
6 to 13 November
-->for Fellows assigned to an African Partner Museum

Module 3 (Onsite in Accra)
13 to 21 November

Closing Event (Online)
10 December

For the onsite phases the following programme-related costs will be covered by the DAAD:

• International and national transport to arrive to and depart from programme locations (lowest possible economy class airfare and 2nd class train tickets)
• Local public transport (if applicable) during Module 2, Module 3 and the Residencies
• Airport transfers (Module 3 in Accra, Residencies in Africa if applicable)
• Visa fees (for visa processes at official entities)
• Health insurance (reimbursement up to 40 Euros)
• Accommodation during the onsite Modules and Residency Locations

• Programme related entrance fees
• Daily allowance during the onsite Modules and Residencies (limited compensation for meals not provided in the programme)

Please note: All programme related travels and accommodations will also be arranged and booked by the DAAD.

A selection committee which consists of African and European experts will review the applications.
The selection criteria are:

Professional competencies and experiences
Practical experience of at least 2 years in a museum, heritage site or art space, relating to themes such as Archaeology, Architecture, Art, Cultural History, Natural Sciences and Technology.

Commitment to the programme
High motivation to actively engage in participation formats.
A prerequisite for the selection of a candidate is the binding commitment to participate in all activities of TheMuseumsLab.

Personal skills

• Collaborative skills
• Respectful communication
• Creativity & Innovativeness
• Self-responsibility
• Ability to autonomously adapt to unfamiliar surroundings
• Resilience
• Ability to constructively question established structures
• Ability to self-reflect
• Aspiration to hold a leading position within a museum, heritage site or art space and to act as a multiplier

Language skills
Adequate language proficiency in English (written and spoken) is essential in order to participate actively in the programme.)

The programme is curated and implemented by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MfN).
It consists of a seminar (three modules), residencies at European and African partner museums] and a project phase.
It will start with an online phase (kick-off and module 1) in June 2024, continue with the first presence phase (module 2 in Berlin, residencies at European and African partner museums) in September 2024 and close with the second presence phase (module 3, project work in Accra, Ghana) in November 2024.
Please note: the implementation of the programme is subject to the approval of funds.

Access to the DAAD portal is usually opened at least 6 weeks before the application deadline.
You can access the DAAD portal by clicking "Application portal" at the end of the page. Here you will find an online application form in which you can enter your application data.

This is what you have to do:

1. Register in the DAAD portal (Read notes about registering in the portal >> )

2. Applying online in the DAAD portal (Read notes on applying in the portal >> )

• Download and complete the online application form
• Prepare application documents
• If necessary, translate documents (unless they are already in German or English).
• Scan paper documents and save in PDF format. Please note that you can only upload PDF files to the portal.
• Upload the completed application form and the required appendices (except work samples) to the portal in PDF format. Translations, if applicable, should be uploaded together with the document issued in the original language.
• Submit the uploaded application documents online.

If you have any technical questions or problems your local information and advice centres could not help you with, please do not hesitate to contact our technical Portal hotline: +49 (0228) 882-8888 or via e-mail

, open every weekday from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm (CET or CEST).

Please consider this when you are planning your application.