Tanja Liedtke Foundation Fellowship 2026
The fellowship is an exciting opportunity designed to support an emerging dance-theatre artist based in Europe. This fellowship takes a new form compared to previous formats, allowing the recipient the freedom to craft their own artistic journey. With available funds of up to €10,000, the fellowship encourages exploration, innovation, and personal growth within the vibrant realm of dance-theatre.
We believe in empowering artists to pursue their unique visions through the storytelling medium of dance-theatre. The fellowship invites applicants (35 years and under) to propose their own itineraries, which may include mentorships, workshops, artistic residencies to develop new work, and collaborations with established artists and organisations. While these opportunities are encouraged, the primary focus is on personal exploration and creative expression. This approach will allow the recipient to engage deeply with their artistic practice, gaining valuable insights and experiences that will shape their future work.
In addition to financial support, the Tanja Liedtke Foundation will have someone available to assist recipients throughout their artistic journey. This support includes helping applicants to mould and shape their proposals, providing guidance on how to organise their projects, and offering advice as they navigate their artistic processes.
The fellowship is not limited by geography other than the recipient must be a European resident. At the completion of the fellowship, with a maximum length of one month completed between April 1st and September 1st, 2026, the fellow will be required to produce a report detailing their experiences and outcomes. They will also be required to execute the budget as proposed, and provide video or photographic documentation of their creative process.
Applications for the fellowship will open on September 5th, 2025 and close on November 14th, 2025. For specific details of the application and how to apply, read further below the Terms and Conditions. (It’s a long read, perhaps first it’s worthwhile dreaming a little about the kind of fellowship you would design!)
Terms and Conditions for the Tanja Liedtke Foundation Fellowship 2026
- Eligibility Criteria
– Applicants must be 35 years of age, or younger at the time of submission.
– Applicants must be residents of the European Union, and hold a European bank account with a valid IBAN for fund disbursement.
– If successful, applicants must be able to produce an invoice to receive the fellowship funds.
- Application Process
– Applications will be accepted from September 5th, 2025 until midnight CET on November 14th, 2025.
– All applications must be submitted via the jotform platform linked here:
https://form.jotform.com/252333674203047
– Submissions must include the following:
- A curriculum vitae and support material for your artistic experience so far
- A proposal description for the fellowship (max 1000 words)
- A personal video statement expressing yourself however you choose
- A detailed budget of proposed use of the fellowship funds
- Disqualification
– The Tanja Liedtke Foundation reserves the right to disqualify any application that does not meet the eligibility criteria or comply with the application guidelines.
– Applicants will be notified in writing if their submission is disqualified.
– Disqualified applications may be revised and resubmitted, provided they are received within the designated submission period.
- Selection Process
– An initial shortlist of applicants will be selected by a professional panel, based on their submissions.
The selection decision will be based on the following:
- Scope of the applicant’s creative and artistic vision
- The feasibility of the proposed project
- The project’s alignment with the current stage of the applicant’s career development
- Demonstrated investment of ‘self’ in the submission.
– All applicants will be advised if their submission has been shortlisted via email on or before November 28th, 2025.
– Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a one hour, online (audio + visual) interview with selected industry professionals, which will take place between the 1st and 5th of December, 2025.
– The outcome of the interviews for shortlisted applicants will be communicated by December 12th, 2025.
– The chosen Fellow will be contacted by the Foundation in January 2026 to begin implementation of their fellowship.
- Fellowship Funding and Budget
– The fellowship provides funding of up to €10,000, which will be paid to the Fellow three months prior to the start date of their proposed project beginning.
– Funds must be used in accordance with the proposed budget submitted in the application and must cover all project-related expenses.
– There are no surplus funds available from the Tanja Liedtke Foundation, and applicants will be responsible for any expenses incurred during the development of their project that exceed the approved budget.
- Artistic Proposal
– Applicants are encouraged to propose their own itineraries, which may include mentorships, workshops, artistic residencies, and collaborations.
– The primary focus of the fellowship is personal exploration and creative expression within the dance-theatre medium. It is not intended for supporting the final stages of developing or presenting existing work.
– The successful applicant is encouraged to seek mentorships and/or collaborative opportunities with established artists or organisations to enrich their development during the fellowship
- Support from the Foundation during the application and development stage
– The Tanja Liedtke Foundation team may be able to provide support to the successful applicant upon request. Support may include:
- Assistance in shaping proposals before submission
- Guidance or assistance on project organisation, for example; providing support letters to organisations the applicant intends to involve in the fellowship
- Acting as a sounding-board during the artistic process, assisting with interactions with collaborating organisations/partners
- Fellowship Duration
– The fellowship must be completed within a maximum length of one month, with all activities commencing onwards from April 1st, 2026 and concluding by September 1st, 2026.
- Reporting Requirements
– Upon completion of the fellowship, the recipient is required to submit a report within 30 days detailing their experiences, activities and outcomes.
– The Fellow must provide video or photographic documentation of the creative process, which must be sufficient in length and depth to demonstrate that the fellowship was conducted effectively.
– If the required documentation is not provided, the foundation will issue a formal request for compliance. The Fellow will have two weeks from the date of this request to submit the necessary materials. Failure to comply will result in the Fellow being barred from participating in any future projects with the foundation, and no positive endorsements or public support will be provided on their behalf.
- Should the Tanja Liedtke Foundation wish to utilise any reporting materials provided by the Fellow after the conclusion of the fellowship for promotional purposes, including newsletters or annual reports, the Fellow will be contacted for permission, and their collaboration will be greatly valued.
- Intellectual Property
– The proposed and/or developed work remains the property of the Fellow: The Tanja Liedtke Foundation makes no claim to any intellectual property created by the recipient during the fellowship.
– The Fellow is solely responsible for securing all rights to any music or other intellectual property used in their work during the fellowship.
- Health and Safety
– The Tanja Liedtke Foundation takes no responsibility for the safety, health, or any assets of the Fellow or any other individuals involved in the fellowship, and all participants engage in activities at their own risk.
– To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Tanja Liedtke Foundation disclaims any and all liability for any damages, injuries, costs, or legal expenses incurred in connection with the development of the work or any subsequent exploration, presentation, or performance of the work. The responsibility for such matters rests solely with the Fellow.
– The Fellow is strongly encouraged to obtain appropriate insurance coverage – including public liability insurance to protect against third-party claims, personal accident insurance for injuries during fellowship activities, and health insurance for medical expenses incurred while participating in the fellowship. If travel is involved, travel insurance may also be advisable.
- Working Conditions
– The Fellow is responsible for ensuring the functionality of their own working conditions, including obtaining any necessary visas, tax arrangements, and permissions required for their activities during the fellowship.
- Conduct and Representation
– The Fellow is expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the Tanja Liedtke Foundation. Their behaviour and professionalism during the fellowship should uphold the values and reputation of the Foundation, and those of any organisations the Fellow interacts with.
- Credit and Acknowledgment
– If the fellowship contributes to the future presentation of the artist’s work, or facilitates further opportunities, it is appreciated if the fellowship is acknowledged as a supporter of the artist and their work. A foundation logo can be provided for this purpose.
- Concurrent Funding
– The fellowship recipient may apply for, and accept other funding support concurrently with the fellowship, provided that it does not conflict with the objectives of the fellowship or the proposed project.
16. Force Majeure Clause
– If the Fellow is unable to complete the proposed fellowship due to events beyond their control, including but not limited to natural disasters, government actions, war, terrorism, pandemics, or other unforeseen circumstances, they will be expected to collaborate with the Tanja Liedtke Foundation to explore alternative methods and timelines for fulfilling the fellowship requirements.
– The foundation will work with the Fellow to find suitable solutions, but reserves the right to terminate the fellowship if a resolution cannot be reached.
17. Withdrawal Policy
– If the Fellow opts to withdraw from the fellowship after accepting the offer, they must notify the Tanja Liedtke Foundation in writing.
– Any funds already disbursed must be returned in full via the same bank transfer method as the original payment.
– The foundation encourages the Fellow to consult with the foundation before making any definitive decisions regarding withdrawal, as it is preferred that they complete their proposed project. The foundation is committed to supporting the Fellow in addressing any challenges they may encounter during the fellowship.
- Privacy and Confidentiality
– All information provided by applicants during the application process, and throughout the fellowship, will be treated as confidential by the Tanja Liedtke Foundation.
– Access to this information will be limited to members of the selection panel and the Foundation team, as required for their official duties.
– This includes, but is not limited to, personal data, project proposals, and financial information.
– Disclosure to third parties will only occur with the applicant’s prior written consent.
- Amendments
– The Tanja Liedtke Foundation reserves the right to make amendments to terms and conditions at any time. Applicants will be notified of any changes via email and website updates.
- Acceptance of Terms
– By submitting an application, applicants agree to abide by these terms and conditions, including those relevant to the applicant to whom the fellowship is awarded.
- Foundation Contact
– Questions concerning the fellowship and the application process may be directed to: contact@tanja-liedtke-foundation.org
All applications must be submitted via the jotform platform linked here: