Deadline: 23 September 2019
Open to: established and emerging scholars, writers, and professionals who wish to engage in independent study
Benefits: fellowship benefits include round-trip airfare, housing at the Hans Arnhold Center, partial board, and a stipend of USD 5,000 per month
Description
The American Academy in Berlin is a private, independent, nonprofit institute for advanced study located in Berlin, Germany. Its fellowship program promotes advanced research in a variety of disciplines.
Each year the Academy welcomes about two dozen fellows to the Hans Arnhold Center, on Lake Wannsee. The Academy also hosts a small number of invited Distinguished Visitors for shorter stays of one to four weeks, and organizes a diverse public program that includes lectures and presentations by resident fellows, Distinguished Visitors, and guest speakers.
In addition to placing a high priority on the independent work of its fellows, the Academy is in a unique position to aid fellows in establishing professional networks, both in Berlin and beyond. The Academy’s public atmosphere, which actively encourages fellows to introduce their work to wider audiences, serves its mission of fostering transatlantic ties through cultural exchange.
The American Academy in Berlin 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 have included anthropologists, art historians, literary scholars, philosophers, historians, musicologists, journalists, writers, filmmakers, sociologists, legal scholars, economists, and public policy experts, among others.
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.
Eligibility
Academy fellows are comprised of established and emerging scholars, writers, and professionals who wish to engage in independent study. Berlin Prizes have been awarded to historians, economists, filmmakers, art historians, journalists, legal scholars, musicologists, public-policy experts, and writers, among others. They are appointed by an independent selection committee.
Fellowships are restricted to candidates based permanently in the United States. Limited periods spent outside the US, such as sabbatical, foreign assignment for American publications, etc., must be explained on the application. US citizenship is not required. American expatriates are not eligible.
Candidates in academic disciplines are expected to have completed a doctorate at the time of application. Applicants working in most other fields—such as journalism, filmmaking, or public policy—must have equivalent professional degrees. Writers must have published at least one book at the time of application.
Candidates should explain how their projects will benefit from a residency in Berlin, but they need not be working on German topics.
The Academy does not accept project proposals in mathematics or the natural sciences. Candidates in the visual arts, music composition and poetry are chosen by nomination only.
Benefits
Fellowship benefits include round-trip airfare, housing at the Hans Arnhold Center, partial board, and a stipend of USD 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.
How to apply?
When the online application system opens, candidates will first need to create a login and password. Once you are logged into the system, the online application consists of three sections: forms, attachments, and references. It is possible to log out of your application and log back in later; your information will be saved for your next session. Required fields in the various forms are marked with an asterisk. Once you have gathered the necessary information and prepared your supporting materials, the application should take about 20 minutes to complete.
For more information, please check the official webpage.
