Rudolf Augstein Stiftung supports three tightly linked areas that reflect Rudolf Augstein’s legacy: critical, independent journalism; better life chances for disadvantaged children and young people; and artistic experimentation. Its funding is especially strong in Germany, with a visible emphasis on East Germany, youth with migration or flight backgrounds, and projects that build capacity, participation, and long-term pathways rather than one-off services. In journalism, it backs investigative work, newsroom innovation, cross-border collaboration, and training for emerging talent; in the arts, it favors experimental and interdisciplinary projects, mentorship, and residencies.
Annual Giving$1M
Focus Areas
Investigative and Independent JournalismJournalism Innovation and InfrastructureYouth Integration and Participation in East GermanySupport for Children and Youth with Migration or Refugee BackgroundsGender Equity in the ArtsArtistic Research and Experimental Residencies
Giving Approach
Mix of open-call project grants and invitation-based program support. Some programs accept applications continuously or with no fixed deadline, while others run on annual cycles; awards include small-to-midsize project funding and longer-term stipends (e.g., up to €1,000 per month for 24 months). Several programs are not open to unsolicited proposals and require applicants to apply through specific program channels.
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How to approach this funder
Check each program carefully, because access differs: some accept rolling applications, while others are invite-only or have annual deadlines. For journalism and social projects, apply through the relevant program pages rather than sending general inquiries; for youth and arts programs, align proposals closely with participation, mentoring, experimentation, or infrastructure-building goals and emphasize the German or East German context when relevant.
Notable grantees:
• Not specified in the provided data
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Rudolf Augstein Stiftung that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowRolling / open intake
Förderbereich Journalismus
Journalismusinvestigativer JournalismusInnovation+4 more
Who can apply: Project proposals should fit the journalistic focus areas and meet criteria such as originality, structural impact, sustainability, expertise of those involved, and willingness to reflect and develop the approach. Project funding in journalism is available only to nonprofit actors.
Deadline: Applications for project funding can be submitted at any time on a rolling basis; no submission deadlines are specified. The next journalism scholarship round is expected to start in summer 2026, with the deadline on 2026-09-13.
Who can apply: Only nonprofit actors may receive project funding. Projects should target disadvantaged children and youth, align with the themes transition school-to-work or integration, be sustainable and transferable, have model character, involve affected young people in decisions, and support gender equality or empowerment of girls and young women. Projects abroad are not accepted.
Deadline: Applications can be submitted at any time on a rolling basis; no fixed deadline is given. JUGENDSTIL* ideas fund applications are accepted continuously until the third Thursday of each month; the next deadline is 2026-05-21, which has passed, so no future deadline is currently visible.
children and youtheducationschool-to-work transition+4 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be nonprofit actors and the project must align with the focus themes 'school-to-work transition' and 'integration'. Projects in the social area are only accepted for Germany; projects abroad are not accepted.
Deadline: Rolling submissions; no deadline for social project funding.
journalisminvestigative journalisminnovation+4 more
Who can apply: Project must fit the foundation's journalistic focus areas. Project funding in journalism is available to nonprofit actors; projects outside Europe are not funded. Applicants are asked to speak with the foundation before applying.
Deadline: Rolling submissions; no deadline for journalism project funding.
Youth participationPost-migrant engagementLocal initiatives in East Germany
Who can apply: Young people with migration or flight backgrounds; projects should be developed by and for young people. Check the Jugendstil project site for detailed criteria.
Deadline: Applications are accepted continuously; each round closes on the third Thursday of the month. The next listed deadline is 2026-05-21.
Transition school-to-workYouth integrationChild and youth development+1 more
Who can apply: Only gemeinnützige (nonprofit) actors are eligible. Projects must align with the foundation's thematic priorities and demonstrate sustainability and model-character.
Deadline: No fixed deadlines; applications can be submitted at any time.
Investigative journalismJournalism innovationJournalism infrastructure+2 more
Who can apply: Project funding available for initiatives that fit the foundation's journalistic focus. Project funding can only be awarded to gemeinnützige (nonprofit) actors where specified. Applicants should arrange a short advisory call before applying.
Deadline: No fixed deadlines; applications accepted at any time.
Journalism educationYoung journalistsTalent development
Who can apply: Applicants are students or PhD candidates pursuing a journalism career. Selection based on journalistic talent, motivation, and (for PhD) scientific excellence.
Deadline: Next application round opens Summer 2026; application deadline stated as 13 September 2026.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.