American Academy in Berlin - Fellowships

Each year, the American Academy in Berlin welcomes around twenty fellows, who support our mission to enrich transatlantic dialogue in the arts, humanities, and public policy through the development and communication of projects of the highest scholarly merit. Past recipients have included anthropologists, art historians, literary scholars, philosophers, historians, musicologists, journalists, writers, filmmakers, sociologists, legal scholars, diplomats, economists, and public policy experts, among others.

Who is eligible for a fellowship?

• Academy fellows are established and emerging scholars, writers, and professionals who wish to engage in independent study. Emerging scholars should have a strong record of peer-reviewed work beyond the dissertation. Projects that have not significantly advanced beyond the dissertation project will not be considered. Independent scholars are welcome to apply if they meet the general eligibility requirements.
• Applicants working in most other fields—such as journalism, filmmaking, or public policy—must have a significant record of publication or production. Writers of fiction and nonfiction must have published at least one book at the time of application.
• Berlin Prizes have been awarded to historians, economists, filmmakers, art historians, journalists, legal scholars, musicologists, public-policy experts, former government officials, NGO leaders, and writers, among others.
• Candidates should explain how their projects will benefit from a residency in Berlin, but they need not be working on German topics.
• Fellowships are restricted to candidates based permanently in the United States. Limited periods spent outside the US, such as sabbaticals or foreign assignments, must be explained on the application. US citizenship is not required. American expatriates are not eligible.
• The Academy also accepts applications based on collaborative projects. Candidates must submit separate applications. External reviews will consider the merits of the project as well as the individual candidates.
• Candidates from previous years are eligible to reapply but are strongly encouraged to revise their project proposals substantially and otherwise update their application materials. A number of Academy fellows have applied one or more times before their selection.

May visual artists, composers, or poets apply for a fellowship?

While the American Academy hosts composers, artists, and poets, candidates in these areas are chosen by nomination only.

What is a Berlin Prize?

Fellowship benefits include round-trip airfare, housing at the Hans Arnhold Center, partial board, and a stipend of $5,000 per month. Fellows are expected to be in residence at the Academy during the entire term of the award, generally one academic semester, and to offer two public events about their work. The Academy supports the projects of the Berlin Prize fellows in a variety of ways, from building a strong interdisciplinary community and active networking, to an excellent library service.

Fellows may receive their stipend directly or through their home institution. The Academy does not withhold taxes, but stipends are taxable. Please note that overhead/indirect costs are not built into the stipend amounts awarded to the fellows. The Berlin Prize fellowship does not allow for institutional overhead.

Where is the American Academy in Berlin and what are the accommodations?

Private furnished apartments, equipped with small kitchens, are provided at or near the Hans Arnhold Center, a historic villa on the shores of Lake Wannsee. The Wannsee train station (a stop for S-Bahn and regional trains) is less than a ten-minute walk away. Trains reach downtown Berlin in ten to twenty minutes.