Funding & Scholarships

Regional Funding (in Germany)

A number of individual funding programmes for professional development are available across the German federal states. Eligibility requirements and funding levels vary by state.

Relevant Resources

• Nationwide: Funding Database of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy / Forum for Vocational Training – Funding programmes by federal state
• Berlin & Brandenburg: Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (see EPI Local Scholarships)
• Hamburg: Zwei P / MOIN Film Funding – Further Training and Qualification
• Hesse: HessenFilm – STEP Funding
• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: MV Film Funding – Talent Promotion
• Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt & Thuringia: Central German Media Funding
• Brandenburg: Education Voucher – Investment Bank of the State of Brandenburg

German National Funding

Tax Deductibility

Costs for professional development can be claimed in the tax return – as business expenses for the self-employed or as work-related expenses for employees. Depending on the personal tax rate, the tax office can indirectly contribute up to 50% of the costs. Deductible expenses include participation or tuition fees, specialist literature, study materials, application costs, and travel expenses. Interest on an educational loan can also be considered for tax purposes. For further information, it is advisable to contact the local tax office.

Overview: Funding Instruments for the Screen Industries

A detailed overview of national and state-level funding instruments, target groups and structural funding gaps is available to download. The paper was produced as part of the WI Bewegt project and is aimed at professionals, companies and training providers in the film and screen industries.

Student Loans & Education Funding

The following national funding options are available to students enrolled in EPI master's programmes:

• Government Education Loan
• KfW Student and Education Loans
• Germany Scholarship from the Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF Film University and the University of Potsdam
• VFF-Stipendium for MBA Students 
• DAAD-Förderungen for foreigner students (European Film Business and Law)

Many additional scholarship providers and foundations offer financial support to students on non-consecutive master's programmes.

International & European Funding

Creative Europe – MEDIA

Participation costs for MEDIA-funded training activities may be recognised as eligible expenditure within MEDIA Development Grants. Information on funding options in each country is available from the MEDIA Desk in the relevant country or region.

Funding by Country (Selection)

All applicants are encouraged to explore financial support available through national or regional funding bodies. A selection of relevant resources is listed below:

EPI-Scholarships

The Erich Pommer Institut is committed to fostering cultural and social diversity across its training activities. Scholarships are aimed in particular at individuals from marginalised groups and those who might not otherwise be able to participate.
The scholarship offer varies by programme. In a number of programmes, partial scholarships are available thanks to Creative Europe – MEDIA funding, as well as through partnerships with organisations in several countries.
Current partners include, among others, EAVE, EWA, WIFTI, FOCAL, VAF and Screen Ireland.

Further information and application details are available on the respective programme pages.

Discounts & Partner Benefits

In the context of various partnerships, the Erich Pommer Institut offers reduced fees for members and alumni of partner organisations.

Some programmes also offer corporate discounts for multiple enrolments from the same organisation, as well as benefits for alumni of Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF and Universität Potsdam.

Details on programme-specific discounts and eligibility criteria are available on the respective programme pages.

Scholarships and discounts are generally not combinable unless otherwise stated.