Light-verb construction 'Antrag stellen' (to file an application)

A light-verb construction (Funktionsverbgefüge) is a fixed pairing of a noun carrying the meaning with a semantically bleached verb carrying the grammar. einen Antrag stellen means to file/submit an application and belongs to administrative and bureaucratic German.

The crucial collocation is stellen (literally "to place"), not machen. What the application is for is expressed with auf + accusative:

• einen Antrag auf Urlaub stellen - to file an application for leave
• einen Antrag auf Akteneinsicht stellen - to file an application for access to the files

Examples:

• Er stellt einen Antrag auf Urlaub. - He files an application for leave.
• Die Partei stellte den Antrag, die Sitzung zu vertagen. - The party moved to adjourn the session.

Common mistakes: Do not say einen Antrag machen - this is a classic learner error; the institutionalised verb is stellen. Also keep the preposition accusative (auf den Posten, never auf dem Posten). In plain speech the simple verb beantragen is often preferable, but in forms, motions and officialese the Funktionsverbgefüge is idiomatic and expected.

'einen Antrag stellen' = to file an application (auf + accusative).

Means 'to file an application'; what for follows with 'auf' + accusative.

'einen Antrag stellen' = beantragen (auf + Akkusativ).