The Berlin Prize Fellowship 2027–28 offers U.S. citizens and permanent residents a four-month residential fellowship at the American Academy in Berlin. The programme supports scholars, writers, journalists, and policy experts working across the humanities, social sciences, law, journalism, and public policy. Fellows receive a $5,000 monthly stipend, roundtrip airfare, accommodation, partial board, and additional professional resources. Applications are due on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 6:00 p.m. Central European Time.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: Berlin Prize
Category: Residential Fellowship
Host: American Academy in Berlin
Location: Berlin, Germany
Duration: Four months / one academic semester
Monthly Stipend: $5,000
Eligible Applicants: U.S. citizens and permanent residents
Application Deadline: September 25, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CET
About the Berlin Prize Fellowship 2027–28
The American Academy in Berlin is an independent nonprofit institute for advanced study in the arts, humanities, social sciences, law, journalism, and public policy.
Each year, the Academy awards roughly two dozen semester-long fellowships. Fellows undertake independent work while participating in an interdisciplinary residential community in Berlin.
The Academy welcomes applications from a broad range of disciplines, including:
• Humanities
• Social sciences
• Law
• Journalism
• Public policy
Projects addressing contemporary issues such as democracy, security, technology and society, artificial intelligence, energy, climate, and global order are also encouraged.
Dedicated fellowships are available for projects in Jewish studies, German studies, public health, and biotechnology.
Projects do not need to focus specifically on Germany. However, applicants should explain how a residency in Berlin would strengthen or advance their work.
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What Berlin Prize Fellows Receive
Berlin Prize Fellows receive financial, residential, and professional support during their semester in Berlin.
Confirmed support includes:
✓ $5,000 monthly stipend
✓ Roundtrip airfare
✓ Accommodation at or near the Hans Arnhold Center
✓ Partial board
✓ Access to in-house library services
✓ Professional networking opportunities
Fellows reside in private, furnished apartments at or near the Hans Arnhold Center.
The stipend can be paid directly to the Fellow or through the Fellow’s home institution. The Academy states that stipends are taxable income and that institutional overhead or indirect costs may not be deducted when funds are paid through a home institution.
Fellowship Duration and Residency
Each Berlin Prize residency lasts one full academic semester, or four months.
The Academy operates two fellowship periods:
• Fall semester: Mid-August to mid-December
• Spring semester: Late January to late May
Applicants indicate their semester preference in the online application.
Fellows must reside at or near the Hans Arnhold Center for the entire semester.
During the residency, Fellows also present their work to audiences in and around Berlin. Activities may include lectures, readings, public discussions, performances, and film screenings.
Fellows should also be willing to engage with relevant German institutions, organisations, and media.
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Who Can Apply?
Berlin Prize Fellowships are restricted to citizens and permanent residents of the United States.
Eligible applicant profiles include established and emerging:
• Scholars
• Writers
• Journalists
• Policy experts
• Independent scholars who satisfy the general requirements
Emerging scholars should hold a PhD and demonstrate a strong record of peer-reviewed work beyond their dissertation.
The Academy does not consider projects that have not developed significantly beyond a candidate’s dissertation project.
Applicants in fields such as journalism, filmmaking, and public policy must demonstrate a significant record of publication or production.
Writers of fiction and nonfiction must have published at least one book with a reputable press by the time they apply.
Fields and Application Restrictions
The Academy does not accept project proposals in:
• Mathematics
• Natural sciences
Visual artists and composers do not apply through the general Berlin Prize competition. They are selected through separate invitation- or nomination-based processes.
Applicants who previously applied unsuccessfully may submit a new application. The Academy strongly encourages reapplicants to update their materials and substantially revise their proposals.
Individuals who have already received a Berlin Prize are generally not eligible to receive another one, except in exceptional circumstances.
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Required Application Materials
Candidates must complete the online application and upload their materials in English.
Required documents include:
• A 1,500–1,750-word project proposal
• A short bibliography of no more than one page, combined with the proposal into one document
• Curriculum vitae of no more than 10 pages
• Two writing samples with a combined maximum of 60 pages
Applicants must also provide the names and contact information of three referees.
Letters of Recommendation
The Berlin Prize application requires three letters of recommendation in English.
Referees should know the applicant’s recent work and preferably be familiar with the proposed project. They should be able to comment on the candidate’s abilities, career achievements, and capacity to participate in an interdisciplinary residential setting.
Applicants enter referee contact details through the online application system. Referees then receive instructions for uploading their letters directly to the portal.
Recommendation letters must be submitted by:
Friday, October 2, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CET.
Selection and Results
The American Academy in Berlin conducts a competitive selection process for Berlin Prize Fellowships.
All candidates are expected to receive notification of the competition outcome by email in late March 2027.
The Academy plans to announce the 2027–28 Berlin Prize recipients in May 2027.
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Application Deadline
Applications for the 2027–28 Berlin Prize competition must be submitted by:
Friday, September 25, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 6:00 p.m. Central European Time.
Letters of recommendation have a separate deadline of October 2, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CET.
Apply Here
Submit your application through the official American Academy in Berlin application portal.
