Public Funding Opportunities for Museum Digitization in Austria and Germany

Digitization is reshaping the cultural sector. Museums, cultural and educational institutions face the challenge of staying relevant in the digital age while engaging visitors with innovative formats. To make this transformation possible, Austria and Germany provide various public funding programs that specifically support digital projects in museums.

Funding in Austria

• BMKÖS – Kulturerbe digital (until 2026):

  
  

  Supports projects for digitizing collections, interactive mediation formats, and innovative visitor experiences.

• Regional funding (e.g., Vienna Kultur, Upper Austria, Salzburg):

  
  

  Many Austrian states provide their own grants for museum digitization initiatives.

• EU funding (e.g., ERDF, Creative Europe):

  
  

  Austrian museums are eligible for European-level grants, especially for cooperation and innovation projects.

Funding in Germany

• Neustart Kultur – Digitization:

  
  

  A program by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM), supporting museums in developing digital offerings.

• State-level investment programs:

  
  

  Many German federal states provide dedicated budgets for museum digitization.

• Cultural Foundation of the Federal Government:

  
  

  Focuses on innovative, experimental, and digital transformation projects.

Why act now?

• Most funding programs are limited in time.

• Digitization is no longer optional – it is essential to reach new audiences, especially younger, digital-native visitors.

• Projects with measurable visitor benefits (interactivity, accessibility, educational value) have the highest chance of success.

Pro tip: The Magic Wall® is a perfect fit for such programs – a flexible, interactive solution that enhances visitor engagement and supports digital transformation goals. We are happy to assist with project planning and funding applications.

Curious to learn more?Let’s explore together which funding opportunities could work for your institution.

·       Schedule a free consultation

·       Get a tailored overview of relevant grants

·       Work with us on a pilot project designed for your museum

Reach out at sales@backandrosta.com or via our contact form.