To make your annual planning easier, we have compiled the Austrian Music Export activities and programs for 2026 here. The overview is aimed at artists and music business companies of all genres based in Austria who want to network internationally, further their education, or position their work beyond Austria.
Here you will find open calls, delegation trips, discounted rates for international conferences, and showcase opportunities. Specific requirements and details on how to apply can be found in the further information for the respective open call.
FYI: This article will be updated regularly. An overview of general support and funding programs can be found here: https://www.musicexport.at/service-information/funding/. Please send questions and applications to office@musicexport.at.
NEW: Building Bridges UK
Building Bridges UK: Capacity building and international exchange (OPEN CALL until 22 February)
In 2023, Austrian Music Export launched the capacity-building programme Building Bridges, focusing on professional development, networking, and international exchange. The programme is aimed at music industry professionals—especially labels, publishers, managers, and other actors working behind the artists. It is not a performance opportunity.
In 2026 we continue the successful Building Bridges UK format. In addition to our presence at The Great Escape including an Austrian Heartbeats Showcase (first acts already announced: https://www.musicexport.at/austrian-artists-at-the-great-escape-2026/), there are additional opportunities this year for professionals to expand their international networks and meet new business partners.
Open Call: 12–22 Feb: https://www.musicaustria.at/open-call-building-bridges-uk-2026/
NASOM 2027/28 OPEN CALL
NASOM 2027/28 OPEN CALL until 9 March
This funding programme – New Austrian Sound of Music – NASOM – of the Austrian Foreign Ministry (BMEIA) supports young Austrian—or Austria-based—music creators with performances abroad through a dedicated programme. The selected ensembles, bands, soloists and solo performers are supported for their international appearances by the Austrian Cultural Forums and BMEIA embassies, depending on available possibilities.
https://www.musicexport.at/open-call-the-new-austrian-sound-of-music-2027-2028/
M4MUSIC 2026
M4MUSIC 2026 (20–21 March 2026): Free participation
For m4music in Zurich, we will provide a limited number of Pro Passes for the conference in 2026.
Interested parties should send a short email stating why they want to attend m4music to: office@musicexport.at
c/o pop 2026
c/o pop 2026 (15–19 April 2026): Discounted participation
For c/o pop 2026 in Cologne, we can offer a discounted Convention + Festival ticket. Requests by email to: office@musicexport.at
Music Biennale Zagreb 2026
Music Biennale Zagreb 2026: Professionals Program (MBZ Pro)
The Music Biennale Zagreb will not take place again until next year, but this year there will be a smaller edition including a Professionals Program in mid-April 2026.
This program invites participants to exchange ideas about different working methods in a series of workshops. For example, three international ensembles will talk about how they work organizationally and make decisions. Another workshop will focus on how to build a visual identity for an artistic field (an ensemble, a festival, etc.). This will also provide an opportunity to network with local, regional, and international artists and work on possible future collaborations.
Selected Austrian music professionals have the opportunity to receive a travel subsidy.
Open call for an Austrian delegation: Submission deadline March 18, 2026.
jazzahead!
jazzahead!—a combination of trade fair and showcase festival—is still the only event of this kind for jazz in Europe and one of the largest worldwide. This year it takes place again in Bremen from 22–25 April 2026. Austrian up-and-coming saxophonist Yvonne Moriel has been selected as a showcase act. The Austrian stand has long been a fixed part of the fair. Registrations have already started—and this year it gets even better: Austrian Music Export can offer a discount for everyone who wants to register as a Professional Participant at the Austrian stand.
More info:
https://www.musicaustria.at/startschuss-fuer-jazzahead-2026/
https://jazzahead.de/de/programm/yvonne-moriel-sweetlife-at/
Music Biennale Zagreb
Music Biennale Zagreb: Professionals Program (MBZ Pro)
The Music Biennale Zagreb normally takes place again next year—however, this year there will still be a smaller edition including a Professionals Program in mid-April 2026.
Open Call: tbc
NEW: EXPLORE CEE (Central & Eastern Europe)
SHARPE Festival 2026
SHARPE Festival: Delegation trip
The SHARPE Festival (24–25 April 2026) is part of our Explore CEE programme. A joint delegation trip to Bratislava is planned, including participation in the curated programme.
Open Call: 22 Feb 2026 – 10 Mar 2026
SHIP Festival 2026
SHIP Festival: Delegation trip
Also part of the Explore CEE programme is the SHIP Festival (10–13 September 2026) in Šibenik, Croatia.
Open Call: 1 May 2026 – 1 June 2026
The call for the Explore CEE programme is aimed at professionals working in the Austrian music industry, including labels, publishers, managers, bookers, promoters, venues, festivals, and other relevant music businesses. The programme is especially suitable for applicants who have already taken first steps towards internationalisation and want to expand their networks within the CEE region. Due to limited capacity, funding is usually granted to only one person per company.
Munich Biennale 2026
Guest programme as part of the Munich Biennale – Festival for new music theatre (14–17 May 2026)
In 2026, Musikbueromuc is inviting participants for the first time to a guest programme as part of the Munich Biennale for contemporary music theatre in the Bavarian capital.
Open Call: Applications must be submitted using the online form. The application deadline is March 9, 2026. The number of participants is limited. Participants will be selected by representatives of the program partners and Austrian Music Export; applicants will receive formal notification of acceptance or rejection for funding or participation by March 13, 2026. More information (in German): here.
Reeperbahn Festival 2026
Reeperbahn Festival 2026: Austrian Heartbeats Showcase
For the Reeperbahn Festival (16–19 September 2026), we are announcing the open call for the Austrian Heartbeats Showcase. Four Austrian acts will be selected by the Reeperbahn booking team and will perform on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, in Hamburg in front of an international professional audience.
Open Call: 1 Apr 2026 – 31 May 2026
Showcase performances are unpaid; Austrian Music Export supports each performing act with a travel subsidy of EUR 400.
WAVES VIENNA
WAVES VIENNA (1–3 October 2026): Free participation
Waves Vienna brings an international professional audience to Vienna every year. We have a contingent of free tickets for conference & festival. If interested, please send a request with a short explanation of why you want to attend Waves to: office@musicexport.at
Month of Contemporary Music Berlin
Guest programme by initiative neue musik in Berlin for the opening of the Month of Contemporary Music (October 2026)
Since 2023, initiative neue musik/fieldnotes in Berlin has organised a guest programme for the opening of the Month of Contemporary Music. As in the previous year, a delegation trip is planned.
Open Call: tbc
Kick Jazz
Austrian Music Export’s annual showcase festival – Kick Jazz – is offering eight pairs of tickets to the opening evening plus two nights of concerts for the festival at Porgy & Bess in December. This special opportunity invites guests not only to experience the music live, but also to connect with artists, industry professionals, and fellow jazz enthusiasts in an intimate setting before the concerts.
Closed Calls
- MENT Ljubljana (18–21 Feb): Delegation trip — https://www.musicexport.at/open-call-for-professionals-ment-ljubljana-2026/
- Classical:NEXT (8–11 Apr): Fellowship programme — https://www.musicaustria.at/classicalnext-2026-mit-oesterreichischer-beteiligung/
- Sonic Matter (26 Feb – 1 Mar): Guest programme — https://www.musicaustria.at/ausschreibung-sonic-matter-festival-gaesteprogramm/
FYI: This article will be updated regularly. An overview of general support and funding programs can be found here: https://www.musicexport.at/service-information/funding/. Please send questions and applications to office@musicexport.at.
