The Berlin Prize
Call for Applications 2020/2021
The American Academy in Berlin invites applications for its residential fellowships for the academic year 2020/21.
The Academy seeks 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 include anthropologists, art historians, literary scholars, philosophers, historians, musicologists, journalists, writers of fiction and nonfiction, filmmakers, sociologists, legal scholars, economists, and public policy experts.
Approximately twenty Berlin Prizes are conferred annually. Fellowships are typically awarded for an academic semester, but shorter stays of six to eight weeks are also possible. Benefits include round-trip airfare, partial board, a $5,000 monthly stipend, and accommodations at the Academy’s lakeside Hans Arnhold Center, in the Wannsee district of Berlin.
For 2020/21, the Academy will also award three specially designated fellowships: two Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships in the Humanities, for work that demonstrates an interest in the topics of migration and social integration, race in comparative perspective, or exile and return. In addition, in memory of its founder, the Academy will name a Richard C. Holbrooke Fellow for a project that looks at diplomatic approaches to resolving major global issues, from armed conflicts to environmental challenges to the impact of new technologies.
For all projects, the Academy asks that candidates explain the relevance of a stay in Berlin to the development of their work. Proposals are by no means required to focus on German topics, but the Academy is interested in projects that will resonate with Berlin audiences.
Fellowships are restricted to US citizens and permanent residents. Candidates in academic disciplines must have completed a PhD at the time of application. Candidates working in other fields—journalism, film, law, or public policy—must have equivalent professional experience. Writers should have published at least one book with an established press at the time of application.
Please note that Berlin Prizes for visual artists, composers, and poets are determined in invitation-only competitions.
Following a peer-reviewed evaluation process, an independent Selection Committee reviews finalist applications. The 2020/21 Berlin Prizes will be announced in late April 2020.
The application deadline for 2020/21 is Monday, September 23, 2019 (6 pm EST).
To apply online, please visit: americanacademy.de/apply/apply-for-a-fellowship/
For inquiries, please contact Fellows Selection: cs@americanacademy.de; phone +49-30-804-83-0.
