American Academy in Berlin
/OVERVIEW: The American Academy in Berlin is an independent institution for the study of humanities, social sciences, arts, and policy. It awards the prestigious Berlin Prize, a residency fellowship for scholars and artists from the United States.
IP TAKE: The Berlin Prize, awarded by the American Academy in Berlin, is a highly prestigious and selected residency fellowship for artists and scholars in the humanities. As the award itself is modest, rarely exceeding $25,000, the real appeal is in the academy’s exclusive network of current and former fellows and “distinguished visitors,” with German newspaper Der Spiegel calling it “the world's most important center for American intellectual life outside the US.” Resident fellows are encouraged, if not required, to take part in the institutes regular public outreach programs, including lectures, readings, discussions, and screenings.
The American Academy in Berlin is very transparent about its eligibility requirements and application process. Its website hosts pages listing its current and former fellows and distinguished visitors, with brief explanations of the projects they worked on while in residency. However, in terms of accessibility, it is highly exclusive. The institute only accepts 20 to 25 fellows per year, and some fellows report having to apply for several years in a row before being accepted. While the institute does not prioritize scholars working on German-related topics, you must be able to convincingly argue why your research and/or career will benefit from residency in Berlin and access to the institutes facilities and professional network.
PROFILE: The American Academy in Berlin, established in 1998, is “an institution of advanced scholarship and practice in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and public policy” that is “dedicated to sustaining and enhancing the long-term intellectual, cultural, and political ties between the United States and Germany.” AAB’s public work mainly consists of outreach in the form of “ lectures, readings, discussions, concerts, and film screenings” presented by its resident fellows and Distinguished Visitors. The institute’s main grantmaking vehicle is the prestigious Berlin Prize. It also awards the Henry A. Kissinger Prize for international diplomacy.
Grants for Humanities Research and Arts & Culture
The American Academy in Berlin awards the Berlin Prize for “projects of the highest scholarly merit” in the humanities, arts, and public policy. Each year, the academy invites around 20 fellows to a semester-long residency at its Hans Arnhold Center in order to “aid them in establishing professional networks in Berlin and beyond” by “fostering transatlantic ties through cultural exchange.”
The academy has hosted scholars from a wide range of disciplines, including history, economics, film, art history, law, literary criticism, and public policy.
The fellowship includes airfare, housing, and a stipend of around $5,000 per month, plus access to the center’s facilities, library, media network, and community of scholars.
Fellows are expected to maintain residency at the Arnhold Center for the entirety of the fellowship term and to participate in at least two public events at the center.
Visual artists, musicians, composers, and creative writers have also received fellowships, but by invitation only.
Applicants need not be working on topics related to German history or culture, but must be able to explain how they would benefit from a residency in Berlin.
Grants for Civic & Democracy
The American Academy in Berlin awards the Henry A. Kissinger Prize in honor of Dr. Kissinger, one of the academy’s founders and former co-chairmen.
The prize is given annually to “a renowned American or European figure of international diplomacy, in recognition of his or her outstanding services to the transatlantic relationship.”
Former recipients of the award include George W. Bush, Helmut Kohl, Michael Bloomberg, John McCain, and Angela Merkel.
Important Grant Details:
Grants generally range from $20,000 to $25,000 for a one-semester residency, plus airfare and accommodations. Grantseekers may review the academy’s Alumni page for more information on the types of individuals and projects the academy supports.
The American Academy in Berlin awards fellowships strictly to candidates who are permanent residents of the United States. Non-U.S. citizens permanently residing in the United States are eligible, while American expatriates are not.
AAB accepts applications once per year, with the deadline typically falling in September or October. Applications must include a brief project proposal, CV, two writing samples of no more than 60 pages total, and three letters of reference.
Applicants must be established in their careers, with “a significant record of publication or production.” Projects still in the dissertation stage will not be considered.
Scholars and researchers may apply online, while composers, artists, and poets are selected by invitation only.
Scholars working on collaborative projects must submit individual applications.
Applicants who are not selected may reapply, but are advised to change their proposal and application substantially from the rejected one.
Grantseekers may contact the foundation’s program officers directly for more information on eligibility or the application process.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS:
