Applications are open for the American Academy in Berlin Berlin Prize Fellowship 2027–2028, offering scholars, journalists, writers, and public policy professionals an opportunity to spend a semester in Berlin, Germany, while advancing significant professional and intellectual projects.
The Berlin Prize is a residential fellowship offered by the American Academy in Berlin, an independent nonprofit institute for advanced study. Approximately two dozen semester-long fellowships are awarded each year following a competitive selection process.
Successful fellows receive a $5,000 monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, accommodation in Berlin, partial board, access to library services, and professional networking opportunities.
Applications for the 2027–2028 competition close on September 25, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time, equivalent to 6:00 p.m. Central European Time.
Berlin Prize Fellowship 2027–2028: Key Details
Host Institution: American Academy in Berlin
Program: Berlin Prize Fellowship
Location: Berlin, Germany
Fellowship Period: 2027–2028
Program Type: Residential, semester-long fellowship
Monthly Stipend: $5,000
Accommodation: Provided at or near the Hans Arnhold Center
Travel: Round-trip airfare provided
Additional Benefits: Partial board, library services and professional networking opportunities
Eligible Fields: Humanities, social sciences, law, journalism and public policy
Application Deadline: September 25, 2026
Deadline Time: 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. Central European Time
Selection Notification: Late March 2027
Fellows Announced: May 2027
About the American Academy in Berlin
The American Academy in Berlin is a private, independent nonprofit institute for advanced study covering fields including the arts, humanities, social sciences, law, journalism and public policy.
Its primary mission is to strengthen intellectual and cultural relationships between the United States and Germany.
The Academy brings accomplished professionals to Berlin through its residential fellowship program, providing them with time and resources to advance their work while engaging with German institutions, organizations and audiences.
Approximately two dozen semester-long fellowships are awarded each year.
What Is the Berlin Prize Fellowship?
The Berlin Prize provides selected fellows with a residential period in Berlin during which they can concentrate on an important professional, scholarly or creative project.
Recipients are expected to reside at the American Academy for the duration of their fellowship semester.
The program is not simply financial support. Fellows also participate in intellectual and professional activities designed to encourage interaction between American and German communities.
During their residency, fellows may present their work through:
- Lectures
- Readings
- Public discussions
- Performances
- Film screenings
They are also encouraged to engage with relevant German institutions, professional organizations and media.
Berlin Prize Fellowship Financial Benefits
The Berlin Prize provides substantial financial and practical support.
$5,000 Monthly Stipend
Selected fellows receive a stipend of:
$5,000 per month
The stipend helps fellows cover expenses during their residential period in Germany.
Round-Trip Airfare
The fellowship provides round-trip airfare, reducing the international travel costs associated with participating in the program.
Accommodation
Fellows receive accommodation at or near the Hans Arnhold Center in Berlin.
Housing support is particularly valuable for international fellows because they do not have to independently arrange long-term accommodation for the fellowship semester.
Partial Board
The program also provides partial board during the residency.
Library Services
Fellows receive access to the Academy’s in-house library services, supporting research and project development.
Professional Networking
Participants gain access to professional networking opportunities and can engage with researchers, policymakers, journalists, cultural figures, and institutions in Germany.
Who Can Apply?
The American Academy in Berlin welcomes applications from candidates working across a broad range of disciplines.
The main eligible areas include:
- Humanities
- Social sciences
- Law
- Journalism
- Public policy
Applicants should propose a substantial project that they intend to advance during their residency in Berlin.
Priority Areas for Projects
Although applications are accepted across several disciplines, the Academy particularly encourages projects addressing important contemporary issues.
These include:
Democracy
Projects may examine democratic institutions, political participation, governance, civic society and related contemporary challenges.
Security
Researchers and professionals examining national, regional or international security issues may propose relevant projects.
Technology and Society
The Academy specifically highlights technology and society, including projects connected with artificial intelligence.
This could make the fellowship particularly relevant to scholars and policy professionals examining how emerging technologies affect institutions, culture, society and public policy.
Energy and Climate
Projects addressing energy systems and climate-related questions are also encouraged.
Global Order
Applicants examining international relations, geopolitical change, institutions and the changing global order may also find strong alignment with the Academy’s interests.
Dedicated Fellowship Areas
The American Academy in Berlin also offers dedicated fellowships supporting work in several specialized areas.
These include:
- Jewish studies
- German studies
- Public health
- Biotechnology
Applicants working in these areas should review the relevant fellowship opportunities and requirements carefully when preparing their applications.
Does the Project Have to Focus on Germany?
No.
The American Academy states that proposed projects do not have to focus specifically on Germany.
However, applicants should clearly explain why spending a semester in Berlin would strengthen or advance their proposed work.
This is an important part of developing a competitive application.
Applicants could consider explaining relevant connections with German institutions, archives, researchers, policymakers, organizations, or intellectual communities.
Fields That Are Not Accepted
The Academy does not accept proposals in:
- Mathematics
- Natural sciences
Candidates working primarily in these areas should therefore consider other fellowship opportunities.
Special Rules for Visual Artists and Composers
Visual artists and composers follow a different selection process.
The American Academy invites candidates in these areas through separate nomination-based competitions.
This means visual artists and composers do not apply through the standard Berlin Prize application process described for scholars, journalists, writers, and public policy professionals.
Residential Requirement
The Berlin Prize is specifically a residential fellowship.
Successful candidates are expected to reside at the American Academy during their fellowship semester.
Applicants should therefore ensure they can temporarily relocate to Berlin for the required fellowship period before applying.
Public Engagement During the Fellowship
The program emphasizes engagement beyond individual research or writing.
Fellows share their work with audiences in Berlin through events such as public lectures, discussions, readings, performances and screenings.
Participants should also be willing to interact with relevant:
- German universities
- Research institutions
- Professional organizations
- Cultural institutions
- Policy organizations
- Media
These activities support the Academy’s broader objective of strengthening transatlantic intellectual exchange.
Why the Berlin Prize Is More Than a Research Grant
The fellowship combines financial assistance, accommodation, and professional engagement.
Instead of simply providing research funding, the program creates an environment where fellows can concentrate on their projects while interacting with experts and institutions in Germany.
The combination of a $5,000 monthly stipend, airfare, accommodation, partial board, and networking opportunities can significantly reduce the financial barriers associated with spending an extended period conducting work abroad.
How to Prepare a Competitive Application
Candidates should begin by developing a clear and compelling project proposal.
A strong proposal should explain:
- The central question or objective of the proposed project.
- Why the project matters within the applicant’s field.
- What the applicant expects to accomplish during the fellowship.
- Why Berlin is an appropriate location for the project.
- How engagement with German institutions or professionals could strengthen the work.
- How the project contributes to wider intellectual or public conversations.
Applicants working on democracy, security, AI and society, energy, climate or global order may also want to clearly explain how their project connects with these themes.
Why Berlin Matters to the Application
Candidates do not need to propose Germany-focused projects, but they should demonstrate why completing their work in Berlin would be beneficial.
This could involve opportunities to engage with:
- Academic institutions
- Archives
- Think tanks
- Policy organizations
- Cultural institutions
- Journalists
- Researchers
- Professional networks
Applicants should make this connection specific to their project rather than simply stating that Berlin is an international city.
Selection Process
The American Academy uses a competitive selection process to choose approximately two dozen fellows each year.
Candidates should therefore focus on demonstrating both excellence within their professional field and the strength of their proposed project.
Successful applicants are expected to contribute not only through their individual work but also to the Academy’s intellectual community and transatlantic mission.
When Will Applicants Receive Results?
Candidates participating in the 2027–2028 Berlin Prize competition are expected to receive notification of the outcome by email in:
Late March 2027
The American Academy plans to publicly announce the 2027–2028 Berlin Prize recipients in May 2027.
Applicants should therefore monitor the email address used in their application during the selection period.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by:
Friday, September 25, 2026
The application closes at:
12:00 p.m. Eastern Time
or
6:00 p.m. Central European Time
Applicants should submit their materials before the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours.
How to Apply for the Berlin Prize Fellowship 2027–2028
Applications are submitted online through the American Academy in Berlin’s designated application portal.
Candidates should first review the fellowship requirements and application FAQs before preparing their submission.
Applicants should make sure their proposed project fits one of the eligible fields and clearly demonstrate how a residency in Berlin would advance their work.
Because the program is competitive, candidates should allow enough time to prepare their application materials and any required references before the September deadline.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The Berlin Prize may be particularly relevant to established or emerging professionals working as:
- Scholars and academics
- Researchers
- Journalists
- Writers
- Legal scholars and professionals
- Public policy professionals
- Humanities researchers
- Social scientists
- International affairs specialists
Candidates whose projects address major contemporary issues such as democracy, security, artificial intelligence, climate, energy, or global order may find the fellowship particularly relevant.
Final Thoughts
The American Academy in Berlin Prize Fellowship 2027–2028 offers an opportunity for scholars, journalists, writers, and public policy professionals to spend a semester developing significant projects in Berlin, Germany.
Successful fellows receive a $5,000 monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, accommodation at or near the Hans Arnhold Center, partial board, library access and professional networking opportunities.
The fellowship supports work across the humanities, social sciences, law, journalism and public policy, while also encouraging projects dealing with major contemporary issues including democracy, security, technology and society, artificial intelligence, energy, climate and global order.
Applications for the 2027–2028 competition must be submitted by September 25, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 6:00 p.m. Central European Time.
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