What does a funding program for individuals involve? What special considerations and requirements does managing such a program entail? The manual “Curtain Up! Learning on European Stages” compiles the experiences from ten eventful years of managing two international qualification programs in the cultural field, with the goal of making this knowledge available to colleagues and making the experiences accessible in fields beyond the scope of these specific programs. The manual is not a conclusive “instruction manual.” Rather, it should stimulate discussion and is primarily intended for other foundations and other funding institutions. It focuses on the program management’s perspective.