The MuseumsLab 2026 Fellowship Programme for African Museum Professionals

TheMuseumsLab is a unique African–European joint learning programme for emerging professionals from Museums, Heritage and Art Institutions, and Cultural Spaces. Starting online in May, and continuing onsite in Berlin and Kigali, TheMuseumsLab 2026 will bring together 50 Fellows and numerous scholars, practitioners, artists and activists, all connected to the museum sphere. Together they will explore the history, present and future of museums, exchange knowledge, ideas and best practices, and engage with various museum spaces on both continents.

Focussing on the overarching theme ‘Building Futures from Memory: Museums and Memorial Sites as Agents’, TheMuseumsLab 2026 is jointly organised by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MfN) and Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy. An international Academic Committee and TheMuseumsLab Alumni Network are part of the programme’s Steering Board and curatorial process.

TheMuseumsLab brings together professionals from museums, heritage spaces, cultural institutions, academia, and public leadership across Africa and Europe. United by a shared commitment to rethinking the role of museums in society, they have developed and sustained a platform dedicated to the next generation of cultural leaders. It fosters exchange, critical reflection, and co-creation across disciplinary, geographic, and institutional boundaries.

• Table of Content
• About DAAD
• The MuseumsLab Fellowship Programme
• Aim and Benefits of The MuseumsLab Fellowship Programme
• Requirements for The MuseumsLab Fellowship Programme Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for The MuseumsLab Fellowship Programme
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

The MuseumsLab Fellowship Programme

Aim and Benefits of The MuseumsLab Fellowship Programme

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 Kigali, Residencies in Africa if applicable)
• Visa fees (for visa processes at official entities, reimbursement)
• 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.

Requirements for The MuseumsLab Fellowship Programme Qualification

• African and European Museum professionals who have at least two years’ experience of working in the museum, heritage, or art sector and a relation to the overarching theme of the programme next year.

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 and a relation to the overarching theme of the programme next year.

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
Engagement in peer exchange, workshops, and evaluation processes, demonstration of interpersonal and leadership skills such as creativity, resilience, self-reflection, collaborative communication, adaptability, and a drive for ethical transformational roles in museums.

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

Interview date, Process and Venue for The MuseumsLab Fellowship Programme

Duration

• Programme activities will take place from 6 May to 2 December 2026.

Kick-Off Event (Online)
6 May 2026

Module 1 (Online)
7, 11, 27, 28 May and 2 June 2026

Module 2 (Onsite in Berlin)
15 June – 20 June 2026 (Arrival 14 June, Departure 21 June 2026)

Residencies at European Partner Museums (Onsite, Europe)
22 June – 26 June 2026 (Arrival 21 June, Departure 27 June 2026)
–> for Fellows assigned to a European Partner Museum

Residencies at African Partner Museums (Onsite, Africa)
14 September – 18 September 2026 (Arrival 13 September, Departure 19 September 2026)
–> for Fellows assigned to an African Partner Museum

Module 3 (Onsite in Kigali, Rwanda)
21 September – 26 September 2026 (Arrival 20 September, Departure 27 September 2026)

Closing Event (Online)
2 December 2026

Documents Required for Application

• TheMuseumsLab | Application Form 2026 (PDF)
• TheMuseumsLab | Call for Application 2026 (PDF)

Check also:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027
Chevening Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit DAAD Programm webpage