The Commerzbank Foundation supports culture, social causes and science

Grant applications to the Commerzbank Foundation can be submitted between 1 June and 31 July 2026 for the autumn meeting.

What is funded

The Commerzbank Foundation supports charitable projects in the fields of culture, social welfare and science in Germany – always with the aim of making a meaningful contribution to the sustainability of society.

Culture

• Strategies, programmes and projects that promote cultural heritage and cultural education, and contribute to the accessibility and further development of cultural institutions.
• Outreach programmes with a participatory, dialogue-oriented approach, as well as engaging new target groups
• Focus on forward-looking, institutional formats for the strategic communication of cultural heritage
• Launch of a dedicated award to promote the strategic communication of cultural heritage by cultural institutions

Social

• Projects that directly benefit disadvantaged people and help them achieve greater self-determination
• Projects and initiatives that offer practical, on-the-ground support
• Projects and initiatives that adopt a broader social perspective and aim to foster collaboration between social organisations
• Focus on active social, educational and vocational participation

Science

• Projects that specifically support early-career researchers
• Practical engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Science awards
• Focus on incentives for scientific work and innovation

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What is not eligible for funding

• Emergency and disaster relief at home and abroad
• Projects outside Germany
• Purely new-build and renovation works, general fittings, and the financing of properties and land
• General covering of budget shortfalls or funding gaps
• Equipment and fittings used, for example, for therapeutic purposes, without any link to an overarching foundation project
• Coverage of printing costs and publication grants
• Events of a festival nature, as well as support for concerts, films and sport
• Conferences and meetings, as well as the associated participation fees for individuals
• Purely training or development measures for institutions or teams
• Scholarships, tuition fees, stays abroad, exchange programmes, travel, and project-independent individual grants for private individuals
• Capital accumulation by associations and foundations
• Traditional sponsorship

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